"Environment": Kuwait Committed to International Efforts in Protecting the Ozone Layer

The General Environmental Authority (GEA) affirmed that protecting the ozone layer is one of the most prominent aspects of international environmental cooperation, noting Kuwait’s commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at preserving this vital layer and mitigating the impacts of ozone-depleting substances.

On the occasion of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, Sheikha Al-Ibrahim, Director of the Public Relations and Media Department at the GEA, told KUNA that this occasion, observed annually on September 16, highlights the global efforts achieved in this field and renews the commitment to continue joint environmental action.

Al-Ibrahim added that the ozone layer serves as a crucial natural shield for the Earth, contributing to the protection of living organisms and humans from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. She noted that its protection is an important model of successful international cooperation in addressing environmental challenges, and that maintaining it requires continued adherence to international agreements and the promotion of sound environmental practices.

She explained that Kuwait is committed to international efforts in ozone layer protection through the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, which together form a significant international framework for cooperation in reducing substances that affect the ozone layer and working toward their phased elimination.

Al-Ibrahim stated that the GEA plays a vital role in monitoring environmental obligations related to ozone layer protection by coordinating with relevant authorities and tracking substances subject to international controls. This includes supporting the transition to safer, more environmentally friendly alternatives and practices, in line with Kuwait’s commitments under international environmental agreements.

She clarified that Kuwait’s efforts in this area are part of its broader direction toward strengthening environmental protection and achieving sustainability. She emphasized the importance of integrating the roles of government entities, the private sector, and relevant institutions, as well as raising environmental awareness among community members about the importance of reducing the use of ozone-depleting substances and handling them in accordance with approved environmental requirements.