State of Kuwait participates in the COP17 of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Mongolia
Kuwait City, August 23 (KUNA) – A Kuwaiti delegation, led by Kuwait’s Ambassador to Mongolia Mutlaq Al-Thuwaini, is participating in the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), hosted by the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, from August 17 to 28 under the theme “Restoring Land. Restoring Hope.” The event features broad international and regional participation.
Kuwait’s participation underscores its commitment to supporting international efforts to combat desertification, land degradation, and drought, as well as to promoting the sustainable management of natural resources. This aligns with Kuwait’s obligations under the UN Convention and supports national priorities for environmental protection and addressing climate and environmental challenges.
In this context, Ambassador Al-Thuwaini told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Sunday that Kuwait’s participation extends its national efforts to enhance sustainable land management, combat desertification, and support joint international action to address land degradation and drought. He added that this involvement contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the targets of the “New Kuwait 2035” vision, while strengthening ecosystem resilience and preserving natural resources for current and future generations.
He noted that the Public Authority for Environmental Affairs and relevant national entities aim, through their participation, to enhance Kuwait’s presence at international forums, follow up on issues related to desertification, land degradation, sand and dust storms, and exchange scientific and technical expertise with countries and specialized organizations, given Kuwait’s arid and desert environmental conditions.
Over two weeks, the conference will discuss files on restoring degraded land, enhancing resilience to drought, sustainable land and pasture management, the land-water nexus, developing scientific and technological tools, and financing mechanisms, alongside reviewing progress in implementing the Strategic Framework for the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (2018–2030).
The Kuwaiti delegation participating in the conference, negotiation sessions, and technical committees includes representatives from the Public Authority for Environmental Affairs, led by Acting Director General Nof Al-Bahbahani; the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources; Kuwait Oil Company; the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research; and the University of Kuwait. (End) N.M.A. / A.M.H.
