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 creating the Foreign Affairs Department and appointed Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah as its inaugural head. In 1995, the Aqua Park near Kuwait Towers was inaugurated by First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. A year later, in 1996, Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah enacted legislation establishing the Telecommunications Company. In 1998, he appointed Mohammad Al-Ojairi as chairman and general director of the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), granting him undersecretary rank. In 2003, a decree formed a committee to oversee municipal affairs following the end of the Municipal Council’s term, with a mandate lasting one year or until new legislation was passed. Religious figure Ali Abdulatif Al-Jassar, who contributed to Kuwait Television and radio, passed away in 2006 at age 84. In 2009, the Ministry of Health confirmed the nation’s first fatality from swine flu, marking the beginning of public health responses to the outbreak. The year 2013 saw Kuwait host a UN coordination office for humanitarian affairs in observance of World Humanitarian Day. In 2014, Boubyan Bank introduced a system allowing cash withdrawals from ATMs using civil ID cards, enhancing financial accessibility. In 2020, the National Assembly approved reforms related to private-sector employment, domestic violence, media regulations, and future generations’ reserves. In 2021, Kuwait provided Turkey with six fire engines and related equipment to assist in wildfire suppression. Most recently, in 2024, Dr. Fotouh Al-Ragom, manager of the Energy Efficiency Technologies Program at KISR, was honored by the American Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) with induction into the 2024 Energy Managers Hall of Fame. These events collectively reflect Kuwait’s progress across governance, public service, health, and technology.
— 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