The First Tree... Launch of the Greening of the Kuwaiti-Turkish Friendship Park

The UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) for Kuwait and the Gulf Arab States, along with the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Kuwait, launched greening initiatives at the Kuwait-Turkey Friendship Park by planting its first tree. This step symbolizes the deep ties between the two countries and aims to strengthen international cooperation and community engagement in addressing the impacts of climate change and achieving urban sustainability.

In a joint press statement marking the occasion, both sides explained that the initiative seeks to green open public spaces, promote a culture of volunteering, and involve the community in improving the urban environment. It also encourages the reuse of resources and recycled materials, contributing to waste reduction and reinforcing the principles of the circular economy.

They noted that addressing the impacts of climate change requires the integration of international, national, and community efforts, emphasizing the crucial role of cities and local communities in climate action. They highlighted the importance of involving residents and volunteers, particularly youth, in greening processes to enhance shared responsibility toward the environment and public spaces.

The parties pointed out that the initiative aligns with the efforts of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) to support sustainable urban development and promote inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements. This includes developing open and green public spaces in line with Sustainable Development Goal 11, which focuses on sustainable cities and communities.

They further affirmed that planting the first tree marks the commencement of greening works at the Kuwait-Turkey Friendship Park, expressing their hope that the park will become a model of international cooperation, volunteerism, and community participation, as well as a sustainable symbol of friendship between the Kuwaiti and Turkish peoples.

For her part, Turkish Ambassador to Kuwait Tuba Nur Sonmaz stated that planting the first tree carries a meaning that transcends its environmental significance, representing a living symbol of the enduring friendship and strong relations between Kuwait and Turkey. She emphasized that it embodies the capacity of countries and peoples to translate cooperation into practical initiatives with sustainable impacts for future generations.

Ambassador Sonmaz added that Turkey places great importance on environmental protection and the responsible use of resources, pointing to its efforts under the “Zero Waste” initiative, which aims to reduce waste generation, encourage reuse and recycling, and establish sustainability as a community practice.

She noted Turkey’s hosting of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change at the Expo Center in Antalya from November 9 to 20 next year, underscoring the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and trust-building, as well as the transition from climate commitments to actual implementation.

She stressed that climate challenges inherently transcend national borders, making international cooperation and partnerships among governments, international organizations, and local communities essential elements for achieving tangible and sustainable results in addressing the impacts of climate change.

For her part, Dr. Amira Al-Hasan, Head of the UN-Habitat Kuwait and Gulf Arab States Mission, stated that greening public spaces represents an investment in quality of life and an enhancement of cities’ and communities’ capacity to adapt to environmental and climate challenges, rather than merely a process of planting trees.

Al-Hasan emphasized the importance of community participation and volunteer work in achieving urban sustainability, explaining that involving residents, youth, and volunteers in greening public spaces makes them partners in protecting and maintaining these areas, thereby strengthening the community’s connection to its urban environment.

It noted that the project aims to utilize and reuse recycled resources and materials whenever possible, thereby linking urban greening with the concepts of the circular economy and resource efficiency, and promoting sustainable environmental practices.