The State of Kuwait celebrates, on Friday (Feb 20th), the ninth anniversary of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's assumption of the senior post.
On February 7th, 2006, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah issued an Amiri Order, naming His Highness Sheikh Nawaf as Heir Apparent. On February 20th, he was sworn in during an extraordinary National Assembly's session, with the MPs unanimously declaring allegiance to His Highness.
His Highness Sheikh Nawaf, during that parliamentary session, stated that although Kuwait is small a country, it succeeded in overcoming major ordeals and obstacles due to the people unity and loyalty to their leaderships.
"National unity constitutes a fence that protects Kuwait in face of hostilities," His Highness the Crown Prince stated during the historic session. "I bow in awe to this great country, its faithful people, being commanded by this enlightened leadership of His Highness the Amir," he announced.
Sheikh Nawaf has served Kuwait for more than half a century, at various levels. His national service started following Kuwait's independence (1961), when was named Hawally Governor. He continued serving in this post till 1978, when he was appointed Minister of Interior, then he became Minister of Defense, in January 1988.
Some of his major achievements was establishment of the legal affairs department at the MoI, the mayors' affairs department, election department in addition to his contributions to developing the police. At the MoD, he created special contracts and legal affairs' departments.
Following Kuwait's liberation in 1991, after he was appointed Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Sheikh Nawaf set up a special care hospital and created a new post; assistant undersecretary for legal affairs.
In October 1994, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf was named Deputy Chief of the National Guards, serving in the Guards till July 2003, when he was re-appointed as Minister of Interior, as well as the First Deputy Prime Minister. He continued holding these posts till he was proclaimed Heir Apparent in 2006.
Sheikh Nawaf has encouraged young citizens to join military ranks, played a major role in the "Kuwaitization policy," staffing the administrations with nationals, replacing expatriates.
At the regional level, he played a noticeable role in realizing security integration among GCC countries. During the Iraqi aggression on Kuwait (launched in 1990), he sought to re-organize national military ranks abroad, in preparation for the war of liberation.
Locally, Sheikh Nawaf has attended and patronized a series of events. On January 6th, 2014, he patronized the 24th conference of the National Union of Kuwait Students. On January 27th, he sponsored the horse race tournament (2013-2014). On February 3rd, he inaugurated the new MoI's headquarters (Nawaf Al-Ahmad Headquarters) in Subhan. On March 5, he sponsored a ceremony for distribution of academic and higher studies' certificates (2012-2013).
His Highness the Crown Prince, in his capacity at the time as Deputy Amir, attended Kuwait Housing Conference on March 9. The next day, he patronized graduation of the 25th officers' batch at Saad Al-Abdullah Security Sciences Academy.
On March 12, he sponsored a ceremony, honoring excellent graduates of the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), 2012-2013. On March 17, he sponsored Kuwait University's 43rd graduation ceremony (2012-2013). On March 31, he patronized the 41st educational conference.
On May 18, Sheikh Nawaf sponsored a ceremony for scientific excellence. On October 14th, he received Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, who was on a visit to the country. On October 21, he chaired the first meeting of the National Security Council, and on November 18th, he sponsored the 11th GCC nursing forum.
On December 20th, His Highness the Crown Prince sponsored the 21st Waqf Meeting. On December 22nd, he patronized a ceremony for honoring excellent Kuwaiti athletes. He had also patronized a number of other events.
At the Gulf level, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf visited Saudi Arabia, in January, to offer condolences on demise of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz.
Sheikh Nawaf, born in 1937, had studied at Kuwaiti schools. He is father of five, and his main hobby is horse riding.