Kuwait calls for strengthening international solidarity to address the impacts of rising sea levels

Kuwaiti Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Organizations Affairs, Ambassador Sadiq Maarefi, emphasized on Friday the importance of strengthening international solidarity to address the impacts of rising sea levels and ensure that the most affected countries receive the necessary financing, technologies, and capabilities to adapt to their consequences.

He made these remarks in a speech delivered during Kuwait’s participation in the high-level meeting titled “Addressing the Existential Threats Posed by Rising Sea Levels,” held at the United Nations headquarters on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Maarefi noted that rising sea levels are no longer a distant challenge but a “reality” whose effects are expanding to impact the security, stability, and developmental gains of communities. He underscored the need to support the most affected countries, particularly the least developed countries and small island developing states.

Maarefi affirmed Kuwait’s continued support for development efforts in developing countries through the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development) and its projects in the water, energy, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors.

The meeting discussed the growing impacts of rising sea levels on community security, stability, natural resources, and infrastructure, as well as ways to enhance international cooperation in adaptation, financing, and capacity building, especially for countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.