Kuwait strengthens its international presence in combating desertification and addressing drought
- Ambassador Al-Thuwairi: Sustainable land management enhances the resilience of ecosystems
- We are working to strengthen Kuwait’s presence at international environmental forums
A Kuwaiti delegation, led by Kuwait’s Ambassador to Mongolia, Mutlaq Al-Thuwairi, is participating in the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17). The conference is being hosted in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, from August 17 to 28, under the theme “Restore Land. Restore Hope,” with broad international and regional participation.
Kuwait’s participation in the conference 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 its obligations under the UN Convention and supports national priorities for environmental protection and addressing climate and environmental challenges.
He added that this participation contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the targets of the “New Kuwait 2035” vision, while enhancing the resilience of ecosystems and preserving natural resources for current and future generations.
Al-Thuwairi noted that the Public Authority for Environmental Affairs and relevant national entities, through their participation, aim to strengthen Kuwait’s presence at international forums and follow up on issues related to combating desertification, land degradation, sandstorms, and dust storms. They also seek to exchange scientific and technical expertise with countries and specialized organizations, given the desert and arid nature of Kuwait’s environment.
Over the course of two weeks, the conference will discuss files concerning the restoration of degraded lands, enhancing resilience against drought, sustainable management of land and pastures, the land-water nexus, and the development of scientific and technological tools and financing mechanisms. It will also review progress made in implementing the Strategic Framework of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification for 2018–2030.
The Kuwaiti delegation participating in the conference, along with the negotiating sessions and technical committees, includes representatives from the Public Authority for Environmental Affairs, led by the Acting Director General, Nof Al-Bahbahani; representatives from the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fisheries; Kuwait Oil Company; the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research; and the University of Kuwait.
