KUWAIT: The European Union (EU) delegation to Kuwait in collaboration with the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) organized a high-level seminar titled “Supporting a Just Transition towards a greener economy in Kuwait: The role of the private sector.” The seminar which was hosted by the KCCI, aimed to explore the role of the private sector in helping devise strategies to foster a just transition towards an environmentally sustainable society and a greener economy. The participants of the event concluded that private sector plays a very important role to support Kuwait’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions, in particular in strategic sectors such as energy, retail, banking, water and desalination, construction and circular economy.

In the opening remarks the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry stated that: “The urgency of addressing climate change and environmental degradation is undeniable, necessitating global economies to adopt policies prioritizing environmental sustainability and climate adaptation.

Today, in light of the success of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) and the inaugural just transition event in Kuwait held by the Supreme Council for Planning and Development, the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the International Labor Organization and the European Union delegation in Kuwait, is hosting a seminar. This seminar aims to illuminate the pivotal role of the private sector in fostering sustainable enterprises, driving innovation, accelerating cleaner production and resource efficiency, all while developing workers’ skills.”

Speaking at the event, Anne Koistinen, European Union Ambassador to Kuwait said: “The European Union has long been at the forefront of global efforts to combat climate change and transition towards a more environmentally sustainable future. Our commitment to a just transition towards a greener economy is deeply rooted in our policies and actions, aiming to ensure that no one is left behind in this global transformation. We firmly believe that the private sector both in Kuwait and the EU plays a pivotal role in driving sustainable development and facilitating the transition to green economies.”

“The EU is a world leader in adopting policies that require European companies to accelerate the green transition, while also protecting human rights of workers across the supply chain. This seminar aims at sharing our experience and promoting such a policy environment to achieve a just transition towards a greener Kuwait. I am pleased to see that this seminar as part of our Europe Month activities in Kuwait, providing a platform to exchange best practices from Kuwait, Europe and beyond on private sector’s efforts to foster sustainability,” she added.

From the ILO side, Jose Manuel Medina focused his intervention on the ILO Just Transition approach and the positive contribution the private sector may play. Employers’ organizations have identified globally climate change as a common concern.

Supporting a just transition for the private sector means to ensure continued business development and inclusive economic growth for large, but also medium and small companies, including through a more enabling business environment, access to finance, upskilling or re-skilling of the workforce and technical support for companies to adopt environmentally sustainable business practices and even seizing new business opportunities in emerging green sectors”. The event brought together Kuwaiti, European and international experts, private sector representatives sharing best practices from both Kuwaiti and European Union companies, sustainability scholars.