KUWAIT CITY, Aug 19: Al-Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Hamoud Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah said Tuesday that the restoration of the old Al-Ahmadi Market and Al-Ahmadi Cinema reflects Kuwait’s commitment to safeguarding its heritage and cultural identity.

Sheikh Hamoud expressed appreciation for the support of the Council of Ministers, Minister of Information, Culture and State Minister for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, Minister of Oil Tareq Al-Roumi, and other authorities. He also thanked His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah for their continuous backing.

Speaking after the signing of a supervision agreement between the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) and the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), Sheikh Hamoud said the governorate would continue to coordinate with state bodies to accelerate work and resolve any challenges to the project, which was launched under Cabinet Resolution No. 927 issued July 8, 2025.

KOC Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Al-Eidan said the company’s role in the initiative stems from its social responsibility and long-standing presence in Ahmadi beyond oil operations. He said KOC’s expertise and resources make it well-positioned to supervise the four-year phased project, adding that the work aims to preserve Kuwaiti heritage while supporting sustainable development.

Al-Aidan praised cooperation between the governorate, the Cabinet, and NCCAL, saying the project will revive one of Kuwait’s most prominent landmarks.

NCCAL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammad Al-Jassar said restoration and rehabilitation of the historic market and cinema is a key step to preserving Al-Ahmadi’s cultural identity. He said partial operation of some buildings will begin next year, with full completion targeted after subsequent phases.

He added that the project underscores Kuwait’s commitment to protecting architectural heritage and supports ongoing efforts to nominate Al-Ahmadi City for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Dr. Al-Jassar stressed that the initiative follows high-level directives to reopen and preserve the historic site, highlighting close follow-up by Minister Al-Mutairi. He said the project reflects joint efforts between the governorate, KOC, and other bodies.

Batool Ashour, director of the Al-Ahmadi Cultural Platform project at NCCAL, said the initiative marks the foundation of a wider cultural and social heritage city project that combines historic preservation with modern development.

She noted that the old market was originally built on solid structural foundations that allowed it to serve the community’s needs for decades. Ashour said NCCAL contacted UNESCO two years ago to propose Al-Ahmadi City for nomination, and experts from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) have already visited the area as part of the technical evaluation.

She said NCCAL will continue to showcase the city’s unique urban fabric, parks, and public facilities in cooperation with UNESCO and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as part of preparations for World Heritage nomination.