Kuwait’s Ministry of Social Affairs convened a tripartite meeting on Tuesday with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Public Authority for Manpower to address the regulation of civil society organizations, specifically focusing on the relationship between professional associations and labor unions, as well as reviewing the country’s initiatives in elderly care.

The meeting was attended by Undersecretary Dr. Khaled Al-Ajmi, Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah, and Director General of the Public Authority for Manpower Rabab Al-Osaimi, along with senior officials from the three bodies. The discussions centered on clarifying the separation of responsibilities between professional associations and labor unions to eliminate any overlap in their mandates.

Dr. Al-Ajmi emphasized the Ministry of Social Affairs’ commitment to collaborating with relevant entities to establish distinct roles for these groups as part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at boosting efficiency, improving performance, and strengthening the role of civil society organizations within Kuwait’s development framework.

Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher highlighted Kuwait’s balanced approach to advancing its human rights system while developing regulatory frameworks that govern civil society and union activities. She underscored the importance of maintaining transparency and institutional equilibrium in these regulations. In addition, she pointed to elderly care as a continuing humanitarian priority, noting efforts to implement comprehensive policies to improve the quality of life and expand care services for senior citizens, aligning with Islamic values and the country’s humanitarian leadership role.

Rabab Al-Osaimi described the coordination between the Public Authority for Manpower and the Ministry of Social Affairs as essential to restructuring the dynamics between professional and labor entities. She indicated that the subsequent phase will focus on devising operational mechanisms designed to enhance stability in the labor market while protecting rights under a balanced legal framework.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of Kuwait’s dedication to reinforcing its status as a regional leader in humanitarian and social work. This commitment will be realized through clearer definitions of roles among civil society actors and the advancement of elderly care systems based on strategic, sustainable approaches that reflect Kuwait’s broader humanitarian objectives.