GENEVA: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has underscored the urgent need to strengthen international cooperation in addressing pollution and climate change, emphasizing the importance of upholding global agreements in this regard. The call was made by Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Nasser Al-Hayen, in his capacity as head of the Gulf Ambassadors Council. He delivered the statement during a special session on the rights of individuals to a healthy and sustainable environment at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Ambassador Al-Hayen reaffirmed the GCC’s firm commitment to environmental protection, particularly the preservation of the world’s oceans, given their crucial role in food security and economic livelihoods for millions worldwide. He stressed that access to a clean and healthy environment is a fundamental human right, intrinsically linked to food security, healthcare, and sustainable development. 

Highlighting the GCC’s initiatives to safeguard marine ecosystems, Al-Hayen noted that the bloc has implemented measures to curb marine pollution and protect oceanic biodiversity. He also underscored the GCC’s active participation in international environmental protection efforts, including cross-border partnerships and governance initiatives aimed at combating pollution and enhancing sustainability. - KUNA