KUWAIT: Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) and the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are collaborating in a project to plant 1,000 plants indigenous to Kuwait in Al-Abdaliyah nature reserve. The initiative aims to help in reducing carbon emissions resulting from oil operations, said Nasser Al-Hajri, Head of Maintenance Support and Reliability at KOC. He added that KOC established the Al-Abdaliyah reserve over an area of 1.2 million square meters in the western part of Kuwait, near the Kabd area, with the aim of preserving biodiversity and fostering wildlife development within the country.

Mohammad Al-Abduljaleel, Deputy CEO for Planning and Innovation at KOC, said the project highlights KOC’s commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability. He also noted the company’s firm dedication to achieving the strategic goals of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s energy transition plan through to 2050, including carbon sequestration goals via afforestation.

Matar Al-Neyadi, the UAE Ambassador to Kuwait, emphasized that the plants species planted Saturday require minimal water and can withstand high temperatures. They also provide food for birds. He praised the efforts of the volunteer teams participating in the initiative, noting that the large number of participants reflected the heightened environmental awareness within Kuwaiti society.

Neyadi said UAE-Kuwait relations are witnessing rapid growth across various fields, with substantial support from the leaderships of both countries. He referenced the recent visit by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, President of the UAE, to Kuwait.

He added that there is ongoing coordination and cooperation between the two countries, with aligned positions and visions, driven by a shared destiny. “There is growth in trade exchange and significant investment and economic opportunities in both countries. We encourage the private sector, relevant companies, and government bodies to seize these opportunities for optimal benefit,” he said. — KUNA