KUWAIT, Aug 19 (KUNA) — On this day in history, Kuwait has witnessed several significant developments:
In 1961, Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah issued a decree establishing the Foreign Affairs Department and appointed Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah as its inaugural head.
In 1995, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah inaugurated the Aqua Park located near the iconic Kuwait Towers.
A year later, in 1996, Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah signed legislation creating the Telecommunications Company.
In 1998, the same leader appointed Mohammad Al-Ojairi as chairman of the board and general director of the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), granting him the rank of Undersecretary.
In 2003, another decree by Sheikh Jaber established a temporary panel to oversee municipal affairs following the expiration of the Municipal Council’s term, with a mandate lasting one year or until a new municipal law was enacted.
In 2006, religious figure Ali Abdulatif Al-Jassar passed away at the age of 84. He had contributed to Kuwait Television since its inception in 1961 and later worked with the national radio service.
In 2009, the Ministry of Health confirmed the first fatality from swine flu, marking the initial death among citizens due to the outbreak.
In 2013, Kuwait marked World Humanitarian Day by hosting a new United Nations office dedicated to coordinating humanitarian efforts within the country.
In 2014, Boubyan Bank introduced a pioneering service allowing cash withdrawals from ATMs using only civil ID cards.
In 2020, the National Assembly passed legislative amendments affecting private-sector employment, domestic violence protections, media regulations, and provisions related to future generations’ financial reserves.
In 2021, Kuwait provided Turkey with six fire-fighting vehicles and related equipment to assist in battling wildfires.
In 2024, Dr. Fotouh Al-Ragom, manager of the Energy Efficiency Technologies Program at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), was honored by the American Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) with induction into the 2024 Energy Managers Hall of Fame.
These events reflect Kuwait’s institutional evolution and humanitarian contributions over the decades.
— news from Kuwait News Agency
— News Original —
Today in Kuwait’s history
KUWAIT, Aug 19 (KUNA) — n1961 — Kuwait Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah signed a decree to establish the Foreign Affairs Department, appointing Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah as the first head of this department. n1995 — First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah inaugurated the Aqua Park, adjacent to Kuwait Towers. n1996 — Kuwait Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah signed a law for establishing the Telecommunications Company. n1998 — Kuwait Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah signed a decree appointing Mohammad Al-Ojairi as board chairman of Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) and its general director with an Undersecretary’s rank. n2003 — Kuwait Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah signed a decree establishing a panel to manage municipal affairs as of the expiry of the Municipal Council’s mandate. The panel was tasked to serve for a year or until issuance of a new municipal law. n2006 — Religious scholar Ali Abdulatif Al-Jassar passed away at the age of 84. He served at Kuwait Television in 1961 and later worked at the radio station. n2009 — The Ministry of Health declared the first death due to infection with swine flu. It was the first fatality caused by the epidemic among citizens. n2013 — Kuwait celebrated the World Humanitarian Day by establishing a UN office for humanitarian affairs’ coordination in the country. n2014 — Boubyan Bank launched the first money withdrawal system from ATMs with civil ID cards. n2020 — The National Assembly approved bills stipulating amendments of some regulations for work in the private sector, domestic violence, publishing and next generations’ reserves. n2021 — Kuwait granted Tukiye six fire engines and equipment to help combat wildfires. n2024 — Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) announced that Manager of the Energy Efficiency Technologies Program at KISR Dr. Fotouh Al-Ragom was chosen by the American Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) as the 2024 Energy Managers Hall of Fame Inductee. (end) gta