Minister of Development: Comprehensive National Plan to Enhance Readiness and Response to Marine Pollution Incidents and Protect Natural Resources
Kuwait: The Minister of Development and the Coast Guard emphasize the importance of the marine emergency plan.
Translated by Qiyas from السياسة — Original source
- Al-Faleh: Protecting the marine environment and ensuring the sustainability of its resources are two fundamental pillars for achieving sustainable development.
- Coast Guard: Rapid response to marine pollution incidents is essential to protect lives and natural wealth.
State Minister for Development and Sustainability, Dr. Reem Al-Faleh, affirmed on Wednesday that protecting the marine environment and ensuring the sustainability of its resources constitute two fundamental pillars in the State of Kuwait’s efforts to achieve sustainable development. She emphasized the importance of developing national plans to enhance preparedness and response to marine pollution incidents and to conserve natural resources.
Speaking at a workshop organized by the Public Authority for Environmental Affairs on the “National Plan for Emergencies and Response to Oil and Harmful and Hazardous Substances Marine Pollution,” Al-Faleh stated that the Authority is working on developing and expanding the plan to include harmful and hazardous substances alongside oil pollution. This aims to enhance the capacity to handle various marine pollution incidents within an integrated national system for preparedness, coordination, and intervention, which contributes to containing incidents and mitigating their environmental and economic repercussions.
She stressed that the effectiveness of the plan relies on the rapid reporting of incidents, clear roles and responsibilities of relevant authorities, the readiness of teams and equipment, and the efficiency of field coordination and data exchange. These factors contribute to strengthening the integration of efforts and improving response efficiency to protect the marine environment and the state’s vital interests.
She noted that prior preparedness for pollution incidents and enhancing response efficiency support the state’s efforts to achieve environmental sustainability by protecting the marine environment, conserving its natural resources, and preserving them for future generations.
She underscored the importance of continuing training and joint exercises, assessing readiness levels, and periodically updating response plans. She emphasized the necessity of translating the workshop’s outcomes into practical steps that contribute to developing national capacities and enhancing the efficiency of handling marine pollution incidents, thereby consolidating sustainability in efforts to protect the marine environment and manage its resources.
For his part, Commander of the General Directorate of Coast Guards, Brigadier General Sheikh Mubarak Ali Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, stated in a similar address that protecting the marine environment is a shared environmental and national responsibility and an integral part of the national security system. It requires concerted efforts and role integration among various relevant authorities.
He said that marine pollution incidents involving oils and hazardous materials are challenges that require prior preparedness and the ability to respond quickly and in an organized manner, as well as readiness to mobilize the necessary capabilities and resources to mitigate their impacts and protect lives, property, and natural wealth.
He added that the national plan serves as a unified framework that organizes the responsibilities of participating entities and defines reporting, coordination, and response mechanisms, ensuring the swift implementation of necessary measures and efficient management of operations during incidents. He explained that the strength of the plan lies in each entity’s commitment to its role and the ability to operate within a single national system characterized by clear procedures and a common goal.
He noted that the General Directorate of Coast Guards heads the plan based on its duties and jurisdiction as the maritime authority. He affirmed cooperation and coordination with all government entities and related sectors to enhance preparedness and develop response capabilities, contributing to the protection of the marine environment and the conservation of the country’s vital interests.
The workshop, organized by the Public Authority for Environmental Affairs, began on Tuesday and concluded on Wednesday, with the participation of several relevant authorities.
