Sheikha Al-Ibrahim: Environmental Protection is an International and Humanitarian Responsibility and a Key Part of Protecting Humanity and Sustaining Life
Press coverage 1 newspapers covered this event: KUNA →
Public Authority for Environmental Affairs: Environmental protection is a humanitarian and international responsibility.
Translated by Qiyas from الأنباء — Original source
The Kuwaiti experience has proven that the impacts of environmental warfare know no geographical boundaries and do not end with the conclusion of conflicts.
The Public Authority for Environment has emphasized the importance of enhancing international efforts to protect the environment and natural resources from damage caused by armed conflicts, stating that environmental protection is both an international and humanitarian responsibility, and constitutes a fundamental part of safeguarding human well-being and ensuring the sustainability of life for future generations.
Sheikha Al-Ibrahim, the official spokesperson for the Authority and Director of the Public Relations and Media Department, told KUNA on the occasion of the International Day for Preventing the Use of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict, observed annually on November 6, that Kuwait reaffirms the importance of preserving natural resources from the effects of wars and military conflicts.
Al-Ibrahim added that this occasion serves as an opportunity to renew the call for respecting international laws and conventions that guarantee environmental protection during conflicts, and for refraining from targeting oil facilities, critical infrastructure, water sources, agricultural lands, and natural resources, given that their destruction entails serious repercussions whose effects may persist for decades, adversely impacting human health and societal stability.
She noted that on this occasion, Kuwait recalls the severe damage inflicted upon its natural environment by the brutal Iraqi invasion in 1990, and the environmental consequences of the war that extended to soil, air, water, and biodiversity, in addition to oil well fires and oil pollution, which posed a major environmental challenge requiring national and international efforts to address their impacts.
She mentioned that Kuwait did not merely commemorate this painful experience but transformed it into a humanitarian and civilizational message with an international dimension, by proposing a resolution to designate November 6 as the International Day for Preventing the Use of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict. This initiative was approved by the United Nations General Assembly in 2001, standing as a testament to Kuwait’s role in raising global awareness about the importance of protecting the environment during armed conflicts.
Al-Ibrahim affirmed that the Public Authority for Environment continues its role in protecting the environment, enhancing environmental awareness, monitoring pollutants, and reducing pollution sources, while coordinating with relevant authorities to conserve natural resources and ecosystems, driven by its national responsibility and commitment to achieving environmental sustainability.
She stated that the Kuwaiti experience has demonstrated that the impacts of environmental warfare transcend geographical boundaries and do not cease with the end of conflicts, noting that environmental protection is a shared responsibility requiring the concerted efforts of local, regional, and international actors.
She expressed hope that commemorating this day would help consolidate a culture of respecting and protecting the environment from the ravages of war, thereby safeguarding the right of future generations to a safe, clean, and sustainable environment.
