ShareKUWAIT: Natural reserves, which account for 12 percent of Kuwait’s land area, play a vital role in environmental protection and biodiversity preservation, said Samira Al-Kandari, Acting Director General of the Environmental Public Authority. Speaking at the Green Skills Summit held on Monday, she outlined the authority’s efforts since its establishment to foster an environmentally friendly society. This includes the implementation of law no. 42 of 2014 for environmental protection and its amendments in 2015, as well as initiatives to raise environmental awareness within the community, particularly among school students.
“Adopting green skills is no longer an option but a necessity to address pressing environmental challenges,” Kandari said. By guiding individuals toward careers that prioritize environmental sustainability, she believes Kuwait can work toward achieving a sustainable economy. This will include the shift to renewable energy, treating wastewater, enhancing the circular economy, adapting to climate change and adopting strategies to reduce carbon emissions and transform consumption and production patterns into more sustainable ones.
European Union Ambassador to Kuwait Anne Koistinen emphasized the urgent need for action on climate change, not only in addressing its physical impacts on the environment, but also in adapting to its profound effects on people and ways of life. Speaking to Kuwait Times, Koistinen highlighted the critical role of skill development in facing climate challenges. “We still have time to equip ourselves with the skills necessary for the future, and this applies especially to future generations,” she remarked, stressing that climate change presents an opportunity for new types of skills and jobs that will be increasingly essential.
The ambassador pointed out that the younger generation must recognize that the world they are inheriting is significantly different from that of their parents and grandparents. “It’s undeniable that the climate is changing, and the global community has come to this realization,” Koistinen said. “That’s why we must work together toact before it’s too late, rather than allowing fear of the future to hold us back.”
Koistinen also underlined the importance of cooperation between the EU and Kuwait, not only with government authorities but with the youth, private sector and civil society. She expressed the EU’s commitment to supporting Kuwait’s 2035 vision, particularly in areas where Europe can contribute to the diversification of Kuwait’s economy. “The government is committed to the implementation of this vision, and we are here to support where Kuwait wants us to be onboard,” she added.
