KUWAIT CITY, Oct 29: Director General of the General Directorate of Coast Guard Brigadier General Sheikh Mubarak Ali Al-Yousef said the State of Kuwait has made remarkable progress in curbing maritime smuggling, achieving a rate of up to 90 per cent or almost zero. Sheikh Mubarak made the statement to journalists on the sidelines of the annual meeting of Directors General of Coast Guards in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, hosted by Kuwait and held at Sabah Al-Ahmad Naval Base, with the participation of ambassadors and high-level delegations from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sultanate of Oman, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and Bahrain. He pointed out that the Directorate operates as a unified team, from the lowest to the highest ranks, and that the coastal surveillance system and patrol boat project will be fully operational by 2026. He stated that “we are proud to host this meeting today, which serves as an annual platform for exchanging successful experiences and laying the foundations for joint planning. The joint Gulf efforts have resulted in standardised equipment, establishment of unified maintenance workshops, and exchange of technical information.” He also revealed that a specialised seminar was held during the meeting, with the participation of women from the Gulf countries, who discussed the challenges and available opportunities. He stressed that “Kuwait is a pioneer in women’s empowerment, thanks to the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al- Khalid Al-Sabah, with the support of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef. We have female students at the top international colleges in Britain.

The first Kuwaiti female police officer has joined the Combined Maritime Forces at the American base in Bahrain, making her the first female officer from the Gulf countries.” He affirmed that women are inspiring and capable leaders who have proven their value in training, administration and field work. He said “Kuwait is at the forefront of major maritime security projects, urging the submission of inquiries to the Drug Control General Department (DCGD) regarding the prices of narcotics smuggled by sea. He added “there is no price tag and smuggling has become almost nonexistent, thanks to Allah and the efforts of the Coast Guard, from the lowest to the highest ranks.”

Similarly, Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah explained that the meeting is not limited to empowering women in the security sector, as it also reflects the vision of Kuwait on the role of women as active partners in achieving peace and sustainable development. She disclosed that the United Nations (UN) studies indicate that the presence of women in security agencies, particularly at borders and in maritime areas, is a crucial factor in combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling, due to their unique communication, monitoring and humanitarian capabilities. She added that cooperation among the GCC countries in the coast guard field extends beyond protecting borders and territorial waters, because it also presents an opportunity to strengthen humanitarian and human rights partnerships, exchange expertise in training and capacity building, and empower women to serve their countries on the front lines. Manal Al-Baghdadi, representative of the Ministry of Information and member of the Standing Committee on Women, Security and Peace, which is chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the committee that was established over a year ago is committed to organizing events and meetings regularly. “Each meeting or session focuses on a certain aspect of the roles of women in all sectors. The committee serves as a national beacon, highlighting the role of Kuwaiti women in supporting their male colleagues, affirming their status, increasing their number and showcasing their effective contributions to building the Kuwaiti society,” she elaborated. She clarified that while women’s roles existed previously, but their number was limited. “Today, with the support of the political leadership, their participation in leadership positions has steadily increased. Kuwaiti women understand their responsibilities, exert their utmost efforts, and are worthy of this trust,” she concluded.

By Munif Naif Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff