The Kuwait Environment Protection Society stressed “the importance of strengthening and supporting areas of work in protecting and preserving natural resources from the components of biodiversity, which are in dire need of interventions, efforts and contributions, as the environment and nature are a human right for all, whether for the current generation or future generations, and that is a trust on everyone’s shoulders,” calling for “working together to preserve those natural resources represented in biodiversity.”.
This came during a speech delivered by Dr. Wajdan Al-Aqab, President of the Conference and President of the Association, at the opening of the “Seventh International Conference on Biodiversity and Biotechnology,” which is organized by the Association digitally over two days in cooperation with the Faculty of Sciences at Hassan II University in Casablanca, Kingdom of Morocco, coinciding with the international celebrations of World Environment Day and with the Association’s celebration of 20 years of membership in UNEP, with the participation of scientists and experts from Morocco, France, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq and Mauritania, in addition to the participation of Professor René Lafont, editor of the bulletin of the Zoological Society of France and Vice President of the Zoological Society of France in Paris, Professor Françoise Denis, Professor at the Museum of Natural History in Paris, and Dr. Anne-Sophie Chantre-Crimed, Marseille, President of the Icbb7 Kuwait 2022 Conference.
In her speech, the conference chair, Dr. Al-Aqab, explained that “the Kuwait Environment Protection Society is keen to promote and support Arab and international communication in the field of biodiversity, especially by bringing together elite scientists and experts who undoubtedly push the dimensions of environmental research and implementation work to broad horizons through research discussions, scientific deliberations and dialogues that establish effective recommendations that address global biodiversity in general and Arab biodiversity in particular, according to a perspective that is consistent with the global goals for sustainable development, especially Goal 15 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which is concerned with protecting, restoring and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, combating desertification, halting land degradation and loss of biological diversity.”.
In her speech and visual presentation, she addressed images of the Society’s interest in biodiversity and wildlife, which is extended and rooted in its journey through its successive programs in this regard, which were implemented by volunteer scientific elites from its staff. She added, “These efforts included monitoring and documentation operations, sea, air and land sorties, and field visits to all natural sites and environmental habitats, as well as monitoring the environmental status of the components of wildlife and biodiversity in the State of Kuwait. The Society’s efforts in the field of wildlife and biodiversity continue on more than one environmental component and dimension, including the field of bird protection and monitoring. Thus, it has achieved many accomplishments, initiatives and scientific and field projects, including the development of scientific guidance guidelines within the framework of enhancing aspects and forms of raising awareness among different segments and age groups and communities, in addition to the continuous pursuit and direction towards the sustainable use of biodiversity.”.
Dr. Al-Aqab noted that “the Kuwait Environment Protection Society believes that protecting biodiversity is one of the greatest environmental challenges that the world must face at the beginning of the twenty-first century, as it occupies an active global role in the field of environment and sustainability. In this regard, it has issued many scientific, guiding, and advisory programs and publications, reflecting what it sees as the pioneering importance of biodiversity. Perhaps time does not allow for anything other than mentioning the series of documentary programs to document wildlife in the State of Kuwait, which the Society launched eight consecutive years ago, during which it presented 210 television episodes annually, which are shown on the screens of the State of Kuwait’s televisions in Arabic and English, and are used as guidance during educational lessons for students of educational levels, especially during blended learning during the Corona pandemic.”.
Dr. Wajdan Al-Aqab pointed out that the “Seventh International Conference on Biodiversity and Biotechnology” brings together researchers, professors, PhD students, engineers, and decision-makers to exchange and discuss knowledge and partnerships that facilitate innovation and inventions in plant and animal health, agriculture, and the food industry, as well as the biodiversity and biotechnology sector, to connect the international community of life sciences, pharmaceuticals, waste use, and the monitoring and sustainable management of ecosystems, in addition to the rational use of biotechnology, which enhances species and helps ensure the sustainability of ecosystem services.” She added, “The conference also seeks to stimulate and enrich the dialogue among scientists in these fields, leading to a set of recommendations and a working paper that includes the necessary measures to enhance biodiversity through policies to protect species and their habitats that are at risk.”.
