UN-Habitat and the Turkish Embassy Launch Greening Works at the Kuwait-Turkey Friendship Park
UN-Habitat for Kuwait and the Gulf Countries and the Turkish Embassy in Kuwait launched greening activities at the Kuwait-Turkey Friendship Park on Thursday, planting the first tree in a move symbolizing the depth of Kuwait-Turkey relations and reflecting the importance of international cooperation and community participation in addressing the impacts of climate change and enhancing urban sustainability.
In a joint statement, both sides said the initiative aims to support the greening of open public spaces, promote a culture of volunteering, and engage local communities in improving the urban environment, alongside encouraging the reuse of resources and recycled materials to help reduce waste and reinforce the principles of the circular economy.
They added that addressing the impacts of climate change requires the integration of international, national, and community efforts, emphasizing that cities and local communities are central to climate action. They noted that the participation of residents and volunteers, especially youth, in greening processes helps consolidate a sustainable culture based on shared responsibility toward the environment and public spaces.
The initiative falls within the mandate of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) to support sustainable urban development and enhance inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements, including the development and improvement of open and green public spaces, in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities.
Turkish Ambassador Tubanur Sonmez stated that "the tree we are planting today carries a meaning that goes beyond its environmental significance; it is a living symbol of friendship and established relations between Kuwait and Turkey, reflecting our belief that cooperation between countries and peoples can translate into practical initiatives that leave a sustainable impact on future generations."
She also highlighted Turkey’s hosting of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), scheduled to take place at the Expo Center in Antalya from November 9 to 20, 2026.
She noted that "COP31 is based on Turkey’s entrenched traditions of dialogue and diplomacy, and in a world marked by divisions and growing challenges, climate action requires building trust, reinforcing justice, and transitioning from commitments to actual implementation."
For her part, Dr. Amira Al-Hasan, Head of the UN-Habitat Mission, stated that "greening public spaces is not merely a process of planting trees, but an investment in quality of life and in the capacity of cities and communities to adapt to environmental and climate challenges."
Al-Hasan emphasized the importance of community participation and volunteer work, adding that "a sustainable city is not built for the community alone, but with it. When residents, youth, and volunteers participate in greening a public space, they become partners in its protection and sustainability."
She clarified that the project also seeks to utilize recycled resources and reuse them whenever possible, linking urban greening to concepts of the circular economy and resource efficiency.
Both sides affirmed that planting the first tree marks the beginning of greening works in the park, expressing their hope that the Kuwait-Turkey Friendship Park will become a model for international cooperation, volunteer work, and community participation, and that the tree planted today will grow to remain a living symbol of friendship between the Kuwaiti and Turkish peoples.
