By Majd Al-Othman

KUWAIT: Kuwait's Environment Public Authority's Board Chairman and Director General Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Al-Hmood Al-Sabah said on Monday that environmental awareness is vital for achieving sustainability concepts.

KUWAIT: Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Al-Hmood Al-Sabah

Speaking at the Kuwait Sustainability Conference, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ahmad said that such conferences help significantly in increasing community awareness, and reaching a sustainable environment in the country. He stated that the Authority is seeking to increase the natural reserves in the country as part of its commitment to implementing international agreements, while affirming Kuwait's full support and commitment to the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI).

Chairman Jamal Al-Nasrallah

With the increase in environmental pollution, countries began to draw up plans aimed at sustainable development and stop the depletion of nature, said Kuwait Public Relations Association's Chairman Jamal Al-Nasrallah, stressing that coming generations' future is at stake. Al-Nasrallah pointed out that environmental degradation and climate change require joint efforts, indicating that in this conference experts and specialists gather to discuss this important issue to come up with implementable recommendations. He stated that partnership with the private sector is one of the basics of sustainable development, stressing the keenness of private companies to participate in achieving developmental goals, which makes the association seek more endeavors to best serve the country.

Amira Al-Hassan, Head of the Office of the United Nations Human Settlements Program, stressed the importance of updating the laws related to the environment and construction in order to become sustainable, pointing out that the commitment to preserving the environment is everyone's responsibility.

Audience

She added that Kuwait needs to filter and activate laws, saying that the violations often start from the citizen, pointing out the importance of adhering to the "building codes" in urban planning and the transition to renewable energy. The citizens must contribute to achieving a sustainable development in the country, she added.

Kuwait is seeking to increase the natural reserves in the country within its commitment to implementing international agreements and the area of Kuwait reserves ranges between 13 to 15 percent of the total area of the country. This enables the country to launch environmental tourism projects which the authorities have in the Jahra Reserve. The government is keen on stimulating environmental tourism and Al-Jahra Reserve is open to the public.