Janan Behzad, Board Member and Director of Programs and Activities at the Kuwait Environment Protection Society, confirmed that the “Second Arab Environmental Training Program” launched its activities with the first session, “Coastal Area Management,” virtually, with the participation of 286 representatives of government agencies, civil organizations, universities, institutes, scientific and research centers, and volunteer groups from 18 Arab countries. She explained that the program is organized by the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Environmental Training at the Society during the period from February 14 to March 14, with the support of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences on the occasion of the national holidays.
Behzad stated that the first course, titled “Coastal Zone Management,” presented by Dr. Amr Al-Sammak, Professor of Marine Geology and CEO of Wara Environmental Consulting, demonstrated how the future of integrated coastal zone management is closely linked to future trends in global development. She noted that one of the scenarios presented in the training focused on ecosystem services, the impact of ecosystems on human well-being, and the problems facing the future of the seas, such as climate change and its resulting effects on the marine environment, as well as ways to adapt to it. She added, ”Dr. Al-Sammak presented scenarios for pioneering projects in integrated coastal management, such as the State of Qatar.“ She emphasized, ”With the increasing uses of oceans and the intensity of human activity, such as the exploitation of coastal lands, commercial activity, and maritime transport, it is imperative to recognize the importance of protecting the oceans by eliminating pollution and overfishing and immediately beginning to manage and protect all forms of marine life worldwide.“.
She noted that “the program includes about 60 hours of intensive training, as well as practical workshops, dialogue sessions, addressing environmental issues and discussing proposed solutions. It also includes courses on (Managing Protected Areas) presented by Dr. Nasser Al-Din Asad, (Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in the Environment) presented by Nawaf Al-Muwail, and a course on (Knowledge and Challenges of Climate Change) presented by Janan Behzad.”.
