Today, Wednesday, marks the 48th anniversary of the founding of the Kuwait Environment Protection Society, which is one of the civil society organizations in Kuwait and undertakes its various tasks, responsibilities, strategies, awareness and environmental projects, and refines them in service of the Kuwaiti environment.
In this regard, Janan Behzad, Secretary-General of the Environment Society, said, “Civil society organizations play interactive roles with the issues and concerns of communities in parallel with governmental efforts. From this standpoint, they are entrusted with participating in the implementation of applied programs, each in its specialized field, contributing to advancing the achievement of those governmental efforts. Since the announcement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Plans, civil organizations have been participating in the implementation of those plans, but the Society has contributed since 1974 with its insightful vision through previous and current boards of directors to achieving the goals of sustainable development and meeting the needs of society by contributing to environmental protection and achieving societal progress in the fields of environment and human resource development.”.
On the forty-eighth anniversary of the founding of the Environment Society, Behzad considered that “biodiversity is one of the greatest environmental challenges that our land has to face since the beginning of the twenty-first century, especially with the global need for urban expansion and finding practical opportunities to exploit lands without harming natural life. Based on the responsibility of the Kuwait Environment Protection Society to preserve biodiversity and nature through its programs and volunteer work teams, it has contributed to the completion of documentation programs for wildlife and nature over the past six years. This year it completes its seventh year of shared success with its partners in environmental protection and stars of social responsibility from the governmental and private sectors, each in their field of specialization and noble contributions to create opportunities for fruitful joint cooperation.”.
She added: “One of the success stories witnessed by the Kuwait Environment Protection Society over many years is its gathering of public benefit associations in the Arabian Gulf under the umbrella of the Gulf Network of Environmental NGOs, with the Society heading its executive office since its establishment in 2000.“ She continued: ”National work cannot be integrated without paying attention to the clear changes in the effects of climate change in the world, which are no longer as mild as they once were, between the increase in temperatures, the shift in winter cold, and the falling of snow on desert areas in the Arab regions, which was not witnessed previously.“ She stressed that ”the negative effects of floods and the cost they cause to lives and the infrastructure of cities require the development of proactive plans for today’s rainy seasons, and the planning and development of cities to accommodate future changes, and the development of a methodology and procedures for their implementation within environmental management plans.”.
The Secretary-General of the Kuwait Environment Protection Society noted that “at this time, we find it necessary to have national strategies and action plans, and continuous monitoring through specialized studies to prepare for and address the effects of climate change. The effects of climate change on the environment and human health are real and undeniable. What we need now is to strengthen disaster risk management methods and improve the tools to address them before, during, and after they occur. There is no doubt that understanding the risks facing the State of Kuwait and the impact of climate change on it, and developing plans and supporting development projects that are appropriate for adapting to the effects of climate change and preparing alternative plans, is crucial.” She added, “Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, finding solutions to adapt to climate change, and continuing field volunteer work in documentation, community awareness, and mobilizing national and regional forces for environmental action are not without difficulties and shortcomings. Despite all these efforts, the Society continues to appeal to the responsible authorities in the country to provide it with a permanent position so that it can continue its national mission.”.
Janan Behzad stated, “The establishment of the association in 1974 came as a reinforcement to raise the level of awareness among all segments of society and educate them about the environment, which includes forums, seminars, conferences, lectures and specialized exhibitions that enrich capacity building and expertise development programs according to its training plans. The call received a quick response from a national elite interested in environmental issues, represented by its founders, leaders and members of the general assembly, including cadres and experts, as well as governmental, civil and private institutions, and it was indeed established as a registered civil association to become a distinguished model that keeps pace with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).”.
Behzad explained: “The association is concerned with protecting the environment and combating the causes of pollution in all areas, uniting the efforts of those concerned with this issue, taking all possible preventive and remedial measures against pollution, and working to develop a scientific approach, legal legislation, and administrative regulations that ensure environmental safety and protect the country’s natural resources. It also conducts scientific and environmental studies and research. Furthermore, it focuses on educational, media, social, and cultural aspects related to the environment and strives to contribute effectively to raising public awareness and improving citizens’ environmental scientific and cultural understanding, particularly regarding air, water, and soil pollution, and protecting and preserving the country’s natural resources in cooperation with relevant authorities.”.
All of this comes in implementation of the idea behind its establishment, which is to spread environmental awareness among citizens, preserve the environment and protect it from pollution by various traditional and modern means, mechanisms and tools, and to rehabilitate the Kuwaiti environment after the destruction it suffered as a result of the Iraqi invasion and the resulting recommendations in this regard.”.
