Kuwait Environment Protection Society
More than 50 years of voluntary environmental work in the State of Kuwait
Learn about the Kuwait Environment Protection Society
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The Kuwait Environment Protection Society was founded on 31 March 1974. The first United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1972 – together with the resolutions and recommendations it produced to establish the United Nations Environment Programme at the global level with Nairobi as its headquarters, and to encourage the founding of public benefit societies concerned with preserving the environment and combating the causes of pollution at the local and regional levels – was the starting whistle for the journey that led to the founding of the Kuwait Environment Protection Society.
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Its first stop was the gathering and consultation of a group of Kuwaitis who believed in the necessity and importance of protecting Kuwait’s environment and preserving all its components and resources, having seen the organised global movement towards environmental affairs.
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The early discussions and meetings of Kuwaitis interested in the environment produced a first draft for establishing a non-profit Kuwaiti public benefit society concerned with the environment. The founders’ ideas took shape in a detailed official letter on the nature of the society’s work, its objectives, and its bodies, committees and working teams and their tasks, which was submitted at the time to the Minister of Social Affairs and Labour in order to register the Environment Protection Society. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour then issued Law No. (7) of 1974 formally approving the registration of the Environment Protection Society in Kuwait. The name was later changed to the Kuwait Environment Protection Society, and then to the current name, the Kuwait Environment Protection Society.
Registration document, 1974
The Official Gazette “Kuwait Al-Youm”
The decision registering the Society was published in issue 974, year twenty, page 63, under the section of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour.
Ministerial Decision No. 7 of 1974 registering the Environment Protection Society
Article 1: The Environment Protection Society shall be registered and a summary of its statute published in the Official Gazette.
Article 2: This decision shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall come into effect from the date of publication.
The objectives as stated in the summary of the statute
- Working to protect the environment and combat the causes of pollution in all areas, and gathering and coordinating the efforts of those concerned with these matters.
- Taking all possible preventive and remedial measures against environmental pollution.
- Working to foster scientific thinking, legislation and administrative regulations that ensure the safety of the environment.
- Protecting natural resources.
- Striving to contribute effectively to raising citizens’ awareness and their scientific and cultural level in matters relating to their environment.
Founders
- 1Abdul Aziz Hussein
- 2Dr. Abdul Razzaq Al-Adwani
- 3Ahmed Ali Al-Duaij
- 4Anwar Abdullah Al-Nouri
- 5Saadoun Mohammed Al-Jassem
- 6Hamed Abdel Salam Shuaib
- 7Salem Ibrahim Al-Mannai
- 8Sulaiman Hamoud Al-Khalid
- 9Sulaiman Khalid Al-Hamad
- 10Dr. Mubarak Al-Obaidi
- 11Abdul Baqi Abdullah Al-Nouri
- 12Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Awadhi
- 13Ali Abdul Razzaq Al-Saleh
- 14Abdul Rahman Ibrahim Al-Houti
- 15Abdul Aziz Saleh Al-Hamdan
The Society’s board of directors consists of seven members elected by the general assembly for a term of four years.
The society also contributes to supporting national environmental policies, raising environmental awareness, and building capacity through specialized training programs and field initiatives.
We create a sustainable environmental impact
Through our initiatives and programs, we work to create real change in the environment and promote sustainability for future generations.
Vision
Supporting the values of environmental citizenship and promoting the concept of environmental volunteering.
Mission
Making environmental awareness, projects, and training and documentation programmes accessible to all groups and ages in society.
Our core values
- 📚Disseminating accurate environmental knowledge
- 🌱Promoting the values of environmental citizenship
- 🏛️Supporting government efforts in environmental matters.
- 🧑🎓Building the capacity of children and youth and empowering them to sustain environmental volunteering efforts.
- 🤲Promoting social responsibility towards the environment
- 🙌Harnessing the efforts of volunteers and initiative-takers in protecting the environment.
Objectives of the Kuwait Environment Protection Society
Gathering and coordinating the efforts of those interested in these matters
Working to protect the environment and combat the causes of pollution in all areas
Working to create scientific thinking and legal legislation
and administrative regulations that ensure the safety of the environment.
Taking all preventive and remedial measures
possible against environmental pollution.
Protecting the country's natural resources
Promoting the sustainability of natural resources.
Conducting specialized environmental studies and research
in cooperation with the various state institutions.
Attending to the educational, media, social and cultural aspects
related to the environment, its protection and cleanliness.
Qualifying and developing human capabilities
and establishing training and professional development centres in the environmental field.
Striving to contribute effectively to raising citizens’ awareness
and their scientific and cultural level in matters relating to their environment.
“Through collaborative and voluntary work, we continue to achieve a positive environmental impact that reflects our commitment to protecting the environment and promoting sustainability in the community.”
Leading milestones in the Society’s journey since its founding
Since its establishment, the society has continued its role in protecting the environment and promoting environmental awareness in the State of Kuwait.
- 1974🌱
Establishment of the society
The beginning of the journey of voluntary environmental work in the State of Kuwait.
- 1979✉️
First postage stamp issued
World Environment Day set: combating desertification.
- 1981📰
Environment Magazine launched
Launching the first issue of a specialized environmental magazine to spread environmental awareness and knowledge.
- 1982🌼
Choosing the national flower
The Arfaj flower was chosen as the national flower of the State of Kuwait.
- 1983🌿
Postage stamps issued
32 stamps featuring the native plants of the State of Kuwait.
- 1993🌍
The society's membership in UNFCCC
Membership in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
- 1994🦊
Wildlife Protection Committee
The committee was established to deal with environmental issues related to biodiversity and different environments.
- 1995🏛️
Establishment of the Environment Public Authority
Following repeated calls from the Society’s leadership, particularly after the environmental destruction left by the invasion and Kuwait’s need for a government body concerned with environmental affairs.
- 2000🤝
Gulf Network for the Environment
Establishment of the Gulf Network for Environmental NGOs, based in the State of Kuwait.
- 2001🕊️
An international day is adopted – 6 November
The International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict was established by UN General Assembly Resolution 56/4.
- 2005🌐
Membership in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
The Society was accepted as an observer member of the United Nations Environment Programme.
- 2010🎥
Environmental Media and Documentation Center
Establishment of the centre and launch of the YouTube channel for the Society’s audio-visual media production.
- 2010🏫
Green Schools Program
An educational awareness programme launched by the Society for school students and teachers, built on scientific and applied themes.
- 2014⚖️
Environmental Protection Law
The society contributed to the work on the articles of Environmental Protection Law No. 42 of 2014, as amended by Law No. 99 of 2015, and the executive regulations.
- 2015🏛️
Membership of the Environment Public Authority
The Society gained a seat on the board of directors of the Environment Public Authority after Environmental Protection Law No. 42 of 2014 was issued.
- 2015📺
Documentary series on wildlife in the State of Kuwait
The television series began with its first season (Every Day a Bird) and has grown to 9 seasons and no fewer than 250 episodes on Kuwait’s different environments and biodiversity.
- 2015📜
Amendment of the statute
The Society became a specialised society, and its statute was amended and published in the Kuwait Al-Youm gazette.
- 2017📣
6 November awareness campaign
Launch of the campaign to raise awareness of the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict.
- 2019🛟
GNDR membership
The society joined the Global Network of Civil Society Organizations for Disaster Risk Reduction.
- 2019🎙️
Arab Environmental Media Conference
The first edition of the conference was launched to highlight environmental issues in the Arab world through the Cairo International Festival of Art.
- 2019🎓
Sabah Al-Ahmad Environmental Training Center
Establishment of the specialised training centre for environmental courses, workshops and seminars.
- 2020🎒
Documentary series adopted by the Ministry of Education
The documentary series was adopted as a supporting scientific resource for the curriculum at the Ministry of Education.
- 2022🌪️
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
The Society’s membership of the office in the field of crisis management and disaster risk reduction.
- 2024🏅
Golden Jubilee
The Society completed its fiftieth year on 31 March 2024: half a century of giving, serving the Kuwaiti community and preserving Kuwait’s environment.
- 2025🧭
The Society’s strategy
The new strategy was launched in cooperation with the Arab Coalition for the Development of Non-Governmental Civil Society Organizations (AACSOD), through an initiative of the American University of Beirut (AUB).
- 2026🎨
Visual identity update
The Society’s visual identity was updated to cover its core typefaces and colours, logos, usage and presentation.
Memoranda of Understanding and Cooperation Protocols
Ministry of Interior
The Society signed a cooperation protocol with the Ministry of Interior on 14/6/2018
Kuwaiti Bar Society
Memorandum of Understanding 5/8/2018
General Directorate of Civil Aviation
Memorandum of Understanding 16/10/2023
Arab Open University
Memorandum of Understanding 1/7/2025
Iraqi Engineering Society for Development and Environment
Memorandum of Understanding 29/12/2024
Kuwait Vision Company for Project Management and Environmental Services
Memorandum of Understanding 22/11/2021
Kuwait Society for Earth Sciences
Memorandum of Understanding, February 21, 2024
Palestine Wildlife Society
Memorandum of Understanding June 2022
Environment Public Authority
Memorandum of Understanding concerning the preparation of the draft Second National Communication and First Annual Report of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 27 March 2017
Regional Network for Social Responsibility
Memorandum of Understanding – Kuwait Social Responsibility Programme, 23/7/2021
Arab Union for Sustainable Development and Environment
Arab Republic of Egypt – Memorandum of Understanding, June 2025
Superior Achievement Institute for Private Training
Memorandum of Understanding 22/07/2026
Board members 2024 – 2026
Board of Directors 2024 – 2026, elected unopposed
Dr. Wijdan Aloqab
Chairperson of the Board
Eng. Abdulaziz Al-Muhanna
Vice Chairperson of the Board
Janan Reza Behzad
Secretary General
Mahmoud Jamal Tifouni
Treasurer
Dr. Muhammad Issa Khadada
Board Member
Samira Salem Al-Khalifa
Board Member
Dima Al-Adsani
Board Member
The pioneers’ journey since the founding
Since its founding, the Society has continued its role in protecting the environment and promoting environmental awareness in the State of Kuwait. We can only express our appreciation and gratitude to its pioneers and former board chairpersons for their efforts in laying the foundations of this civic institution since 1974, overcoming every obstacle to earn the Society a distinguished standing among public benefit societies inside and outside the State of Kuwait. We pray that God helps us carry out our responsibilities as those before us did, so that one day we may pass the responsibility on, with affection, to those who follow us to carry the banner.
Board chairpersons since the founding
Abdulrazzaq Mishari Al-Adwani
Hamed Abdel Salam Shuaib
Dr. Rashid Hamad Al-Rashid
Dr. Mohammed Al-Sarawi
Dr. Meshal Al-Meshaan
Dr. Muhammad Dawood Al-Ahmad
Dr. Wijdan Aloqab
Select any president to see milestones from their term
- 1974Establishment of the society
- 1979First postage stamp issued
- 1981Environment Magazine launched
- 1982Choosing the national flower
- 1983Postage stamps issued
- 1993The society's membership in UNFCCC
- 1994Wildlife Protection Committee
- 1995Establishment of the Environment Public Authority
- 2000Gulf Network for the Environment
- 2001An international day is adopted – 6 November
- 2005Membership in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- 2010Environmental Media and Documentation Center
- 2010Green Schools Program
- 2014Environmental Protection Law
- 2015Amendment of the statute
- 2015Launch of the first season of the “Every Day” documentary series
- 2018“Every Day: Fish” voted best cultural programme of the Ramadan season
- 2022Ministry of Education accredits the series as a scientific resource for the curriculum
- 2022Launch of the Environmental Engineers Team activities
- 2024Kuwait Award for Creativity in Social Responsibility
- 2024“Environmental Engineer” title recognised by the Civil Service Commission
- 2025First Kuwaiti Environmental Engineers Forum & Exhibition
