Minister of Development and Sustainability Chairs Third Meeting of the Supreme Committee for Climate Change for 2026

Kuwait City, Oct 22 (KUNA) — Minister of State for Development and Sustainability Dr. Reem Al-Faleh chaired yesterday, Wednesday, the third meeting of the Supreme Committee on Climate Change for 2026, as part of follow-up efforts on Kuwait’s national preparations for the country’s participation in the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), scheduled to be held in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9 to 20 next year.

During the meeting, the committee reviewed Kuwait’s proposed negotiating position on the key issues raised within the international negotiation tracks, whether under the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol, or the Paris Agreement. This reflects national priorities and interests and enhances Kuwait’s presence and active participation in international climate negotiations.

Dr. Al-Faleh told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Thursday that Kuwait is advancing an integrated, institutional approach to climate action based on coordinating national efforts, clarifying priorities, and linking climate commitments to the state’s executive plans and projects. This ensures that Kuwait’s participation in COP31 reflects national interests and supports sustainable development pathways.

The committee was briefed during its meeting on the main positions and orientations of regional blocs and groups presented at the last consultative meeting between the COP Presidency and the Parties to the Convention, which included discussions on the agenda of COP31, priority issues, and expectations regarding the conference’s expected outcomes.

The committee also discussed Kuwait’s third National Determined Contribution (NDC) proposal, including national targets and commitments to reduce carbon emissions between 2025 and 2035, as well as the methodology for calculating the expected emission reductions from projects and initiatives planned across various sectors. This approach enhances measurement accuracy and monitoring, and links climate targets to the state’s executive programs and projects.

Minister Al-Faleh stated that preparing the third NDC represents an important milestone in developing climate action in Kuwait, as it is based on measurable targets, specific projects, and clear methodologies for calculating emission reductions. This strengthens implementation and monitoring efficiency and translates international commitments into practical national actions.

The committee’s meeting comes within the framework of strengthening climate governance, coordinating efforts among relevant national entities, unifying positions on priority climate issues, and supporting national consensus on the NDC document. These efforts enhance Kuwait’s capacity to fulfill its international commitments, achieve its environmental targets, and entrench sustainability in national policies, plans, and projects. (End) S.S./T.A.B.