Kuwait to replace 591 street names with numbers under new Cabinet policy

The committee for studying proposals and requests for naming cities, suburbs, districts, streets, and public squares has given nod for the implementation of a Cabinet decision which was issued on May 20, 2025, to use the numbering system instead of using personal names for roads and public places.

During a meeting on June 23, chaired by Acting Director-General of the Municipality Eng. Manal Al-Asfour, the committee endorsed replacing the names of 591 streets with numerical identifiers. Additionally, three streets will be renamed after Arab capitals or cities, reports Al-Qabas daily.

This move follows a letter from the Council of Ministers instructing the municipality to replace personal names on streets, roads, and public squares in accordance with a decision made on June 3, 2024. That decision tasked the Minister of Public Works and the Minister of State for Municipal Affairs with preparing a draft decree to implement the changes within two weeks.

According to the Cabinet’s directives, naming public roads after rulers, monarchs, heads of state, and countries should be limited and based on reciprocity. Naming after historical figures, members of Kuwait’s ruling family, or leaders of friendly nations is permissible, but with stricter oversight.

The general rule moving forward will be to assign numbers to streets, squares, and roads. Exceptions include maintaining existing names that do not reference individuals, and selective naming based on diplomatic or historical significance.

The Cabinet approved the Minister of State for Municipal Affairs proposal of naming guidelines and instructed him to take the necessary steps to present them to the Municipal Council for formal amendments to the current naming framework.