KUWAIT: In 2020, Kuwait witnessed several major developments including the passing away of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the ascension of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to power. Those are the major events connected with the leadership this year:
Jan 1: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah ordered the hoisting of flags at half-mast on public and governmental buildings across Kuwait in three days of mourning due to the death of Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said.

Jan 12: His Highness the Amir headed to Oman to pay respect to late Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
Jan 28: His Highness the Amir attended the flag hoisting ceremony at Bayan Palace.
Jan 16: Amiri decree issued appointing Dr Khaled Al-Fadhel as Minister of Oil, Maryam Al-Aqeel as Minister of State for Social Affairs and Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Mubarak Al-Sheetan as Minister of Finance, and Mohammad Bushehri as Minister of Water and Electricity.

Feb 17: His Highness the Amir attended the graduation ceremony of Ali Al-Sabah Military academy's 46th batch of officers.
March 2: His Highness the Amir ordered the honoring of staff tasked with countering the coronavirus (COVID-19) spread.
March 17: His Highness the Amir tasked authorities to help Iran, Iraq, and Palestine in their efforts to counter COVID-19.
March 22: His Highness the Amir addressed citizens and residents in a speech, calling for cooperation and solidarity to face the COVID-19 pandemic.

March 23: His Highness the Amir headed an exceptional meeting for the cabinet.
March 26: His Highness the Amir allocated KD 10 million to fund the emergency program tasked with curbing the spread of the coronavirus.
April 1: His Highness the Amir ordered, on behalf of Al-Sabah family, the donation of KD 5 million for the coronavirus response fund.

April 19: His Highness the Amir addressed the citizens marking the start of nationals' repatriation from abroad, sharing families of the returnees' jubilation with their loved ones' return.
May 9: His Highness the Amir, in his statement marking the last 10 days of the fasting month of Ramadan, urged the Cabinet and National Assembly, amidst the coronavirus crisis, to work out a program for rationing expenditures and minimizing dependence on a "sole virtually depleting resource so our children and next generations may enjoy a prosperous future."

May 22: His Highness the Amir addressed the citizens and residents on Eid Al-Fitr, calling for decent publicity rhetoric and media message that backs up efforts against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
July 18: An Amiri Diwan decree empowered His Highness the Crown Prince with some constitutional jurisdictions of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah temporarily.

July 18: Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah announced that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was admitted to the hospital for a medical checkup.
July 19: Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah announced that His Highness the Amir underwent a successful surgery.
July 23: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad flew to the US for follow-up medical treatment.

Aug 4: His Highness Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah ordered the dispatch of medical aid to Lebanon immediately in aftermath of a huge explosion at Beirut port.
Aug 23: His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince, in an address to the citizens, emphasized the necessity of the rule of law and national unity. He also urged for refraining from irresponsible acts that threaten the homeland, fomenting discords, addressing sources of corruption, tackling hefty spending, reforms in the educational, youth, economic and demographical sectors.

Sept 18: Minister of the Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah announced that US President Donald Trump granted the Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander, to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, at a ceremony held at the White House.
Sept 29: The Amiri Diwan, addressing the Kuwaiti people, Arab and Muslim nations, announced the demise of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Sept 29: The State of Kuwait declared 40 days of national mourning, with three-day closure of government departments for the passing of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad.
Sept 29: The Cabinet proclaimed His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as the Amir of the State of Kuwait according to the Constitution and the Emirate Inheritance Law.

Sept 30: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah took the oath at an extraordinary session of the National Assembly.
Sept 30: The late Amir, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, was laid to rest after he was brought to the homeland by air from the US.
Sept 30: The Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council held a eulogy session for Kuwaiti Amir His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad while the UN flew its flags to half-mast at its headquarters in New York.

Oct 7: Minister of the Amiri Diwan Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah said Al-Sabah family blessed nomination by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as Crown Prince.
Oct 20: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad, in his address during the inauguration of the National Assembly's regular session of the fifth legislative term, affirmed adherence to the Constitute and the state of law. He also underscored the necessity of commitment to the deep-rooted national principles with respect to unity, solidarity and cooperation.

Oct 26: Justice Ahmad Al-Ajeel took the oath before His Highness the Amir on his appointment as head of the supreme judicial council and the court of cassation.
Nov 2: His Highness the Amir visited the ministry of defense headquarters, praising the personnel for their efforts in combating the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Dec 6: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah issued decree calling for commencement of the 16th legislative term of the National Assembly on December 15.

Dec 6: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad issued decree approving the resignation of the cabinet led by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. He assigned him as head of the care-take government until the formation of a new incarnation.
Dec 8: His Highness the Amir issued a decree assigning His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled as Prime Minister and tasked him with the formation of a new cabinet.
Dec 14: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad issued a decree forming the new 15-ministers government and charged His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled with leading it.

Dec 15: His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad inaugurated the first session of the 16th legislative term of the National Assembly.
Dec 15: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad, in his Amiri address to the opening session of the 16th legislative of parliament, stressed that the imperativeness of addressing challenges facing the country, focusing on efforts to prioritize reforms and boost development. - KUNA