Latest news with #CommitteeforRegulatingHumanitarianandCharitableWork
Kuwait Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Committee reviews new draft law regulating humanitarian work
Committee reviews new draft law regulating humanitarian work Interior Minister chairs sixth meeting of Humanitarian and Charitable Work Committee KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah chaired the sixth meeting of the Committee for Regulating Humanitarian and Charitable Work on Thursday. The meeting, attended by representatives from various government agencies, focused on reviewing a draft law to regulate humanitarian work in the country. According to a statement by the Ministry of Interior, the proposed law is part of Kuwait's ongoing efforts 'to enhance the efficiency of humanitarian and charitable work and organize it according to the highest international standards.' The committee emphasized that the draft law aims to modernize the legal framework governing humanitarian and charitable activities in Kuwait. It is designed to 'promote governance and ensure the highest levels of transparency and effectiveness,' the statement said. 'These efforts reflect Kuwait's commitment to supporting and developing humanitarian and charitable initiatives,' the committee noted, 'in a way that achieves the desired positive impact and supports beneficiary communities both locally and internationally.' The meeting comes amid broader efforts by the Kuwaiti government to safeguard the country's global reputation as a leader in humanitarian aid, while ensuring accountability and trust in the charitable sector. On June 22, Kuwait introduced a new bylaw regulating charitable foundations (mabarat), requiring official licensing, security clearances, and a minimum of 10 Kuwaiti founders with clean legal records and a KD 10,000 deposit. Foundations are prohibited from fundraising or conducting any charitable activities without prior written approval from the Ministry of Social Affairs. The law also grants the ministry full oversight powers, sets clear conditions for dissolution, and imposes penalties for non-compliance or financial misconduct. The government released another set of regulations the same month, specifically targeting charitable associations' fundraising activities. The rules govern how donations are collected, managed, and reported. They focus on controlling the use of fundraising links, overseeing contracts with marketing firms and influencers involved in promotion, regulating financial transparency and reporting, and managing both local and international charity campaigns. The aim is to regulate the entire process of collecting and handling donations within the charitable sector. — Agencies
Kuwait Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait reviews UAE, Saudi models as part of charity sector overhaul
ABU DHABI/RIYADH: A delegation from Kuwait's Committee for Regulating Humanitarian and Charitable Work, led by Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs Dr Khaled Al-Ajmi, visited the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia this week to learn from their experience in charitable and humanitarian work. The visits are part of a series of several to GCC countries. Chaired by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, the committee is responsible for reviewing and developing laws related to charitable and humanitarian work, enhancing governance, and regulating licensing and donations to improve the efficiency and mechanisms of charitable efforts in line with international best practices. Sector overhaul The visits come after Kuwait halted all charitable fundraising pending the rollout of stricter procedures to curb unauthorized donation campaigns. Licensed charities face penalties — from account suspension to full operational shutdown — if they violate the suspension. These measures build on early-2025 reforms, namely the introduction of a centralized aid-coordination platform, and on the dissolution of over 30 charities since November 2024. They also support Kuwait's push to strengthen financial controls and align with FATF anti-money-laundering standards, safeguarding donor funds and preserving Kuwait's global humanitarian standing. Adapting successful practices In Riyadh, the Kuwaiti delegation examined Saudi Arabia's systems for humanitarian work, including integrated governance and oversight frameworks, transparency protocols and international trust-building measures. The delegation also held high-level meetings with Saudi officials to explore opportunities for cooperation, particularly in humanitarian and charitable fields and non-profit sector development. In Abu Dhabi, Dr Al-Ajmi emphasized Kuwait's intent to benefit from successful experiences and adapt inspiring practices to suit Kuwait's local context, with the goal of enhancing its humanitarian work system and improving governance efficiency. Documenting transfers As part of the committee's commitment to developing Kuwait's charitable work system, the delegation visited several public and private institutions in the UAE, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to understand financial governance mechanisms for charitable transfers. They also toured the Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Impact and the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Activities. 'What the committee delegation witnessed during the visit reflects the UAE's commitment to a modern, holistic approach to charitable and humanitarian work,' where digital solutions are integrated with humanitarian values, and institutions are managed under precise governance systems that ensure the sustainability and integrity of resources and a measurable impact on beneficiaries locally and globally, said Dr Al-Ajmi. The delegation also reviewed several operational practices from UAE institutions, including digital systems for tracking and documenting financial transfers, distributing aid, and measuring the impact of initiatives. — Agencies
