The Gulf Network of Environmental NGOs called for giving more attention to environmental work sectors in the Gulf countries and expanding programs for the participation of environmental civil organizations in the government's environmental work implementation plans. This came in a statement by the head of the network and head of the Kuwaiti Society for Environmental Protection, Dr. Wajdan Al-Aqab, on the occasion of the celebration of the Gulf Day for Wildlife, which falls on Monday, December 30.
Dr. Wajdan Al-Aqab, President of the Gulf Network of Environmental NGOs, stated that “the celebration of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries of World Wildlife Day this year comes under the slogan “Sustainable Marine Wildlife,” to highlight the protection of the marine environment from pollution and the challenges it faces, and to encourage reducing the effects of human activities on the marine environment, and the importance of adhering to all regional and international environmental treaties and programs. She called for the importance of unifying efforts among all countries of the region, in order to protect the environment in general, and to support initiatives, programs and projects that aim to protect the marine and coastal environment, for a sustainable present and a future that enjoys the flourishing of biodiversity and wildlife.”.
She noted that “the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, as they celebrate the Gulf Wildlife Day, aim to raise awareness of the agreement to conserve wildlife and its natural habitats in the GCC countries, and to preserve ecosystems and endangered wildlife species.
Dr. Wajdan Al-Aqab pointed out that the network includes Gulf environmental associations as members, stressing that membership in the network is open to those who wish to join. She called on the Ministries of Environment and Social Affairs and various Gulf governmental bodies with the authority to register environmental civil organizations to encourage them to join the membership. She announced that the network organizes many joint programs, events and initiatives at the local or Gulf level at the same time, stressing the network’s keenness to participate in person and virtually in all the events and celebrations of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries on the Gulf Wildlife Day.
The network’s executive office revealed that the Kuwaiti Society for Environmental Protection announced its desire to organize its initiative, the “Gulf Environmental Cup Competition,” which includes many governmental categories, environmental civil associations and organizations, initiators, and environmental groups, stressing that launching the competition increases interest and cooperation in the Gulf environmental field, as well as supporting the pioneering journey of joint Gulf action.
