Kuwait: Enhancing sustainable land management, combating desertification, and addressing land degradation and drought

A Kuwaiti delegation, led by Kuwait’s Ambassador to Mongolia Mutlaq Al-Thuwaini, is participating in the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), hosted by the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, from August 17 to 28 under the theme “Land Restoration: Restoring Hope.” The event features broad international and regional participation.

Kuwait’s participation in the conference underscores its commitment to supporting international efforts to combat desertification, land degradation, and drought, and to promote the sustainable management of natural resources, in line with its obligations under the UN convention and in support of national priorities for environmental protection and addressing climate and environmental challenges.

In this regard, Ambassador Al-Thuwaini told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that Kuwait’s participation is an extension of its national efforts to enhance sustainable land management, combat desertification, and support joint international action to address land degradation and drought.

He added that this participation contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the targets of the “New Kuwait 2035” vision, while strengthening the resilience of ecosystems and preserving natural resources for current and future generations.

He noted that the Public Authority for Environmental Affairs and relevant national entities, through their participation, seek to enhance Kuwait’s presence at international forums, follow up on issues related to desertification, land degradation, sand and dust storms, and exchange scientific and technical expertise with countries and specialized organizations, given Kuwait’s arid and desert environmental characteristics.

Over a two-week period, the conference will discuss files on restoring degraded lands, enhancing resilience to drought, sustainable land and pasture management, the land-water nexus, developing scientific and technological tools, and financing mechanisms, alongside reviewing progress made in implementing the Strategic Framework for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (2018–2030).

The Kuwaiti delegation participating in the conference, negotiation sessions, and technical committees includes representatives from the Public Authority for Environmental Affairs, led by Acting Director General Nawaf Bahbahani, as well as representatives from the Public Authority for Agriculture Resources and Fisheries, Kuwait Oil Company, the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, and the University of Kuwait.