Kuwait Emphasizes Importance of Strengthening Joint Arab Action and Integration Between Water and Agriculture Sectors

Kuwait reaffirmed today, Thursday, its commitment to enhancing joint Arab efforts and integration between the water and agriculture sectors amid the severe challenges facing the Arab region.

This was stated in a speech delivered by Engineer Sara Al-Mutairi, Director of the Chemical Business Administration at the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy, on behalf of the current chair of the General Assembly of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (Kuwait), during the eighth meeting of the Joint High-Level Committee on Water and Agriculture in Cairo.

Al-Mutairi noted that the Arab region is facing growing challenges, foremost among them water scarcity and rapid climate change, which are exerting increasing pressure on the agriculture and food security sectors.

She said that the cooperation process, which began at the first joint ministerial meeting in Cairo in 2019, now requires, more than ever, strengthening the integration of water and agricultural policies and monitoring the implementation of action plans stemming from the Cairo Declaration.

She added that this requires focusing on innovation, utilizing non-conventional water resources, deploying modern technologies and geospatial information systems to bridge data gaps, supporting decision-making, and directing technical assistance to sister countries facing exceptional crises.

Al-Mutairi reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment, on behalf of the General Assembly of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, to supporting integrated initiatives that respond to the priorities of member states, contribute to building the resilience of the water and agriculture sectors, facilitate the exchange of expertise and the sharing of successful experiences among member states, and launch mechanisms for joint national coordination, thereby contributing to the sustainability of resources for future generations.

She expressed her best wishes for the success of the meeting’s proceedings and hoped that the discussions would culminate in practical, actionable recommendations that meet the aspirations of Arab peoples to achieve water and food security.

Al-Mutairi also expressed her sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Arab Republic of Egypt, its leadership, government, and people, for the warm welcome, generous hospitality, and excellent organization of this important meeting.

She further extended her thanks to the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, represented by the Economic Sector, the Housing and Water Resources and Disaster Reduction Administration, the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, and partner Arab and international organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), for their strenuous efforts in preparing this file and coordinating joint work.

The meeting is discussing several items, including progress in implementing the 2019 Cairo Declaration action plan, the use of non-conventional water resources for agriculture in the Arab region, and the progress made in the pilot application of guidelines for improving the sustainable allocation of water resources for agriculture.

Kuwait participated in the events of the 17th session of the Arab Water Ministers Council and the Seventh Arab Water Conference, represented by a delegation headed by Engineer Sara Al-Mutairi, Director of the Chemical Business Administration at the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy, and including Engineer Khaloud Al-Hazza, Laboratory Observer at the Ministry.