Environment Public Authority stresses the importance of preserving natural components and protecting environmental habitats in the country - Sarmad
(KUNA) – The Kuwait Environment Public Authority affirmed on Tuesday the importance of protecting and preserving Kuwait’s natural components, which are rich in marine and terrestrial biodiversity, as well as safeguarding habitats and sites of ecological sensitivity.
Dr. Wijdan Al-Aqab, President of the Kuwait Environment Public Authority, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on the occasion of World Nature Conservation Day, observed annually on July 28, that the association aims through this celebration to raise awareness about Kuwait’s nature and its diverse elements.
She added that the association is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and chairs the National Standing Committee of the IUCN in the country, noting that the committee coordinates national efforts among relevant authorities to protect and conserve biodiversity.
She explained that the committee includes representatives from government and civil society entities and discusses various issues, most notably preparations for regional nature conservation forums and key preparations for upcoming congresses of the IUCN.
She pointed out that the committee also includes members from the Environment Public Authority, the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, and the Kuwait Water Authority, emphasizing that the association works within the committee to harmonize national efforts across all government institutions, civil organizations, volunteer groups, and initiatives.
She mentioned that the association recently presented several proposals to Dr. Razan Mubarak, President of the IUCN, and Dr. Hani Al-Shater, Regional Director for West Asia, including the establishment of statutes for national committees, a responsibility falling on each committee’s chair.
She noted that among the proposals was the design of an internal regulation to govern the committee’s work and to attract new groups and members to national committees, adding that the proposal was well-received by officials for its positive impact on improving the performance of national committees through organizational steps.
Al-Aqab stated that the association broadcasts a series of documentaries on Kuwait’s wildlife through the IUCN channel, as well as through distinguished international cooperation with the union, by which it provides periodic status reports on national community efforts in wildlife and biodiversity conservation.
She clarified that, as part of these efforts, the association has released eight editions of its annual program, “Kuwait Wildlife Documentary Series,” highlighting living environmental components such as terrestrial and marine plants and animals, across no fewer than 250 high-quality television episodes of local scope.
