The session concluded that the environmental damage was similar despite the different causes and geographical locations of the conflict.
*The association's activities kicked off with a dialogue session at the Arab League pavilion on the occasion of the silver jubilee of International Day*
The head of the Kuwait Environment Protection Society delegation, Engineer Yousef Al-Ramzi, confirmed that the Society is beginning its participation in the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change «COP31» in Antalya, Turkey, carrying the message of November 6 to a global forum, with the aim of expanding awareness of the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflicts, and highlighting the Kuwaiti initiative behind its adoption.
Al-Ramzi said that on the first day of its participation, the association is organizing a dialogue session in the Arab League pavilion entitled «The Silver Jubilee of the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflicts,» stressing that choosing this occasion to be the focus of its activities reflects its keenness to continue raising awareness of the International Day, and linking its message to the issues raised at the Climate Conference, foremost among them the protection of natural resources and ensuring their sustainability for future generations.
He explained that the association bears the responsibility of continuing the journey that it started by demanding that Sheikha Amthal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, a member of the association, dedicate this day until it was adopted internationally in 2001 through the efforts of Counselor Muhammad Bu Al-Hassan and the support of the late Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, may God have mercy on him, when he was the Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs, noting that the presence of this issue in a global conference allows its message to be conveyed to representatives of countries, international organizations and civil society institutions, and to expand the circle of partners supporting it.
He added that the campaign to raise awareness of the International Day, which was founded by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Association, Dr. Wajdan Al-Aqab, in 2017, contributed to the continued raising of the issue through awareness activities and partnerships, and that the Association’s participation in the Climate Conference represents an extension of these efforts, and an opportunity to highlight the importance of November 6 as an international occasion that calls for attention and action throughout the year.
Al-Ramzi explained that defining the International Day goes beyond defining its name and date to clarifying its message and the importance of protecting the environment during wars, stressing that discussing this issue in a global climate forum helps to demonstrate the link between the effects of conflicts and the setbacks in environmental protection and climate action efforts.
He noted that the session will include an introductory film about November 6th, a presentation on the campaign to raise awareness of the International Day, and Arab contributions highlighting the impact of wars on the environment in Palestine, Yemen, and Lebanon. Participants include Ms. Mariam Jaajaa, Director General of the Arab Network for Nature Protection from Palestine; Dr. Yasser Baazab, President of the Ibdaa Foundation for Environment and Sustainable Development from Yemen; and Eng. Malek Ghandour, President of the Lebanese Environmental Assembly.
Al-Ramzi noted that the presentations and working papers focused on the environmental dimensions of wars, moving beyond political considerations. They converged on the similarity of the damage inflicted on natural resources and ecosystems, despite differences in geographical locations, local conditions, and the nature of the conflicts. He explained that the presented experiences revealed commonalities in water and soil pollution, damage to agricultural lands and natural habitats, and the accumulation of waste, all of which impact water and food security and the ability of communities to recover. He emphasized that this convergence reinforces the message of the International Day and highlights the importance of addressing it in a global forum as a shared environmental and humanitarian issue that necessitates cooperation and the exchange of expertise.
Al-Ramzi concluded by emphasizing that the association seeks, through this participation, to build partnerships that support the dissemination of the message of the International Day, and encourage environmental, educational and media institutions to adopt related activities, thereby enhancing the presence of the Kuwaiti initiative globally and confirming that protecting the environment from the effects of wars is a shared international responsibility.
