"Environment": We strive to enhance the marine environmental protection system in cooperation with relevant authorities - Sarmad

The Public Authority for Environment (PAE) confirmed on Tuesday its commitment to strengthening the marine environmental protection system in Kuwait, enhancing the national readiness to deal with various types of marine pollution incidents, and cooperating with relevant local authorities to ensure effective response.

Dr. Lujain Al-Sayegh, Head of the Sea Water Monitoring Section at the Authority’s Water Quality Monitoring Department, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the PAE is organizing a two-day workshop on the “National Emergency Plan for Response to Oil and Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) Marine Pollution Incidents,” as part of ongoing efforts to bolster the country’s marine environmental protection framework.

Dr. Al-Sayegh added that the workshop aims to review the components of the national plan, discuss the technical and organizational aspects related to its implementation, and clarify the roles and responsibilities assigned to relevant entities.

She noted that the workshop also seeks to enhance coordination and joint cooperation mechanisms, ensuring the integration of national efforts and achieving an effective and organized response in the event of marine incidents.

She pointed out that the workshop involves several national entities with a stake in the matter, along with a number of regional organizations, experts, and specialists, providing an opportunity to exchange expertise and knowledge and benefit from experiences and practices adopted in the field of preparedness and response to marine environmental emergencies.

Dr. Al-Sayegh emphasized that dealing with marine pollution incidents requires integrated roles and coordinated efforts among various entities, given the nature of such incidents and their resulting environmental and economic impacts. This makes prior coordination, clear definition of responsibilities, and improved preparedness essential elements to ensure an effective response.

She expressed hope that the workshop’s outcomes would help consolidate a shared understanding of the requirements for implementing the plan and strengthen institutional cooperation among participating entities, thereby supporting national efforts to protect the marine environment and preserve its resources.