Environment Public Authority Calls for Documenting November 6 in Museums and Exhibitions to Commemorate Kuwait’s Global Environmental Role
On the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the International Day for the Prevention of the Use of the Environment as a Weapon in War and Armed Conflict, which is observed annually on November 6, the Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) has called for documenting this international observance in cultural centers, museums, and national exhibitions, thereby preserving Kuwait’s historical memory and its role in drawing the international community’s attention to the environmental and natural resource impacts of wars and armed conflicts, and educating future generations about the importance of environmental protection as an integral part of safeguarding human well-being, security, stability, and development.
Dr. Wijdan Al-Aqab, President of the Kuwait Environment Protection Society, emphasized in a press statement yesterday that “the passage of twenty-five years since the United Nations General Assembly adopted this day in 2001 represents an important occasion to highlight Kuwait’s role in connection with this issue, particularly in light of the harsh experience endured by the State of Kuwait as a result of the Iraqi invasion and its widespread environmental damage, most notably the burning of oil wells, oil pollution, and the severe harm inflicted on terrestrial and marine ecosystems and natural resources.”
Dr. Al-Aqab noted that “documenting this experience should not be limited to records and reports, but must be transformed into permanent cultural and educational content that links Kuwait’s environmental history with its role in supporting international efforts to protect the environment from the impacts of war.”
In this context, the President of the Kuwait Environment Protection Society commended “Kuwait Oil Company’s (KOC) approval to include a special exhibit on the International Day for the Prevention of the Use of the Environment as a Weapon in War and Armed Conflict within the Ahmed Al-Jaber Oil and Gas Exhibition in Ahmadi,” considering “this step a pioneering initiative in documenting the occasion and highlighting its historical and environmental dimensions. The exhibit will present visitors with the story of the International Day, its objectives, and the State of Kuwait’s role in drawing attention to the issue of environmental protection during wars, alongside showcasing lessons learned from Kuwait’s environmental experience and its significance as a global message regarding the dangers of targeting natural resources and environmental infrastructure during conflicts.”
