Kuwait Fund Highlights Its Contributions to Combating Desertification
The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development participated in the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP17) in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, highlighting its contributions to supporting development projects with environmental dimensions and its role in financing projects that contribute to land reclamation, water resource management, food security enhancement, and addressing environmental and climate challenges.
Eng. Thamer Al-Filakawi, Director of the Operations Department at the Kuwait Fund, stated that participation in the conference underscores the importance of the role development finance can play in supporting international efforts to combat desertification and land degradation, as well as the associated environmental challenges.
He added, “Sustainable development and environmental protection are integrated paths. Many development projects funded by the Fund in friendly countries do not limit their impact to providing infrastructure and services; they extend to the sustainable use of natural resources, land reclamation, and the enhancement of water and food security, while improving communities’ capacity to adapt to environmental and climate challenges.”
He clarified that “combating desertification and land degradation requires effective partnerships that combine financing, scientific expertise, and sustainable planning, helping to transform environmental solutions and initiatives into executable projects that achieve sustainable developmental impact.” He emphasized the Fund’s commitment to exchanging expertise and enhancing cooperation with international and development institutions in this field.
The projects funded by the Fund in several friendly countries reflect the diversity of areas where development work intersects with efforts to combat desertification and land degradation, ranging from land reclamation and irrigation network development to water resource management, soil improvement, and support for food security.
In Egypt, the Fund contributed to financing a project to reclaim 400,000 feddans in North Sinai, with loans provided for the project totaling approximately $222.96 million.
In China, the Fund provided a loan worth $31.25 million for the “Ningxia Integrated Rural Development” project, which included components such as land development, soil improvement, construction and expansion of irrigation channels and pumping stations, and support for agricultural production.
In Niger, the Fund provided a loan worth $27.6 million for the Kandadji Dam project, which aims to restore the ecosystem of the Niger River basin, provide water for irrigation and drinking purposes, support food security, and contribute to electricity generation.
In Tajikistan, the Fund provided a $12.5 million loan for the Danghara Valley Irrigation Project, which involves rehabilitating and constructing irrigation and drainage channels, and reclaiming and developing approximately 1,750 hectares of land, with the goal of increasing agricultural production, creating employment opportunities, and improving the economic conditions and living standards of the local population.
These projects reflect the importance of development finance in integrating economic, social, and environmental objectives by supporting land reclamation and sustainable water management, enhancing agricultural production and food security, and preserving natural resources.
