KUWAIT: Deputy Director of Municipality Affairs in Hawally and Ahmadi governorates Saud Al-Dabbous underlined the importance of creating awareness about green culture which aims to preserve the environment, cut down the use of water and electricity in buildings and recycle waste.

Addressing the GCC Green City and Building Conference on Wednesday, Al-Dabbous said: "Kuwait Municipality aims to increase the awareness about green building as it is a priority as well."

"This type of construction carries modern technology which will help rationalize the use of water and electricity. Kuwait has a group of existing buildings that have green building certificates, be it golden or silver from reputed international organizations," Al-Dabbous said.

He mentioned that these buildings include Shadadiya University as well as major projects under construction, such as the Kuwait International Airport expansion project (Terminal 2), in addition to major future projects, including the Medical City of the Social Insurance Corporation.

The United Nations in 2009, under the name New Global Green Agreement, decided to make green economy concept a priority for achieving sustainable development and reducing harmful effects on environment.  This was in fact the beginning when countries evinced interest in this proposition.

The Development and Environment Conference aims to identify strategic plans for green buildings in the region and renewable and sustainable energy which will significantly contribute to the existence of clean, pollution-free cities and the reduction of harmful emissions.