ShareBy Faten Omar
KUWAIT: Under the patronage of Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Salem Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS), in cooperation with the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), held an event on the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict, under the slogan “Mines and Their Effects on the Environment”.
In his opening address, Assistant Foreign Minister for International Organization Affairs Abdulaziz Al-Jarallah, representing the minister of foreign affairs, expressed appreciation for the efforts of KEPS and KOC in organizing this event, which underscores their societal responsibility in promoting environmental protection at the national level. He stated that this annual event serves as a reminder of the international community’s commitment to safeguarding the environment, a vital foundation for peace, sustainable development, and heightened awareness of environmental preservation.
Furthermore, Jarallah emphasized Kuwait’s dedication to addressing environmental challenges and its role in protecting the environment both nationally and internationally. He noted the pivotal role played by Kuwait in submitting General Assembly Resolution No. 56/4 in 2001, demonstrating the importance of the environment to his country and its commitment to highlighting the serious consequences of armed conflicts on the environment.
“Kuwait has previously suffered from the use of the environment as a tool of war after the burning of oil wells ignited by the forces of the former Iraqi regime before their withdrawal from Kuwaiti territory in 1991, which caused one of the worst man-made environmental disasters in the 20th century. Therefore, it is unfortunate to see the continued use of the environment as a tool of war in armed conflicts, which calls for the need to find deterrent solutions to ensure the protection and preservation of the environment in armed conflicts,” he added.
Jarallah indicated that Palestine is witnessing grave violations committed by the Zionist army in the Gaza Strip, especially those that constitute a violation of international resolutions and international humanitarian law, such as targeting the lives of thousands of defenseless civilians, including children and women, as well as the destruction of the environment and all aspects of life. This exposes Gaza to a serious humanitarian and environmental catastrophe.
He pointed out that Kuwait believes that protecting the environment is a responsibility that falls on everyone, in times of conflict and war as well as in times of peace. He stressed the importance of seriously considering strengthening international efforts towards activating the principle of accountability for crimes committed against the environment as a result of wars and conflicts.
He concluded by mentioning that Kuwait is looking forward to active participation in the 28th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change in Dubai at the end of this month, hoping that the conference will contribute to strengthening international cooperation on the issue of environment and climate.
KEPS Chairperson Wejdan Al-Oqab expressed her solidarity with Gaza and the Palestinian people, condemning the violent attacks they are subjected to and denouncing the excessive force used against them.
“Children, women and men in Gaza must be able to live in peace and security, and we support their right to live in dignity and freedom in their independent state. The international community must work hard to stop the violence. The event today is consistent with the course of events that our Arab region is currently witnessing, with what the occupied Palestinian territories are exposed to, especially the afflicted Gaza Strip, which faces the horrors of genocide, oppression, displacement and other inhuman crimes. There is no doubt that the aggression against the Gaza Strip is a genocide that is getting worse day after day,” she added.
From an environmental perspective, Oqab stated that what is happening in Gaza is considered environmental genocide and a disaster that has risen to the top of the list of threats to life because it threatens human lives now and in the long term, affecting the capabilities of future generations in Palestine.
“Here is the Zionist occupation army consuming huge quantities of massive bombs and other tools of their criminal war. They cause direct harm to human lives, wildlife, and biodiversity alike, and according to preliminary estimates, the collateral damage of these brutal crimes could kill up to 90 percent of animals in the area. Therefore, the Zionists must be charged with ecocide by international courts. These crimes include attacks on industrial facilities that pollute groundwater supplies and airways, and the deliberate bombing of wildlife refuges and other ecosystems,” Oqab mentioned.
“When we talk about mines in Kuwait, the work teams responsible for clearing the country of mines faced many difficulties and problems, both technical and logistical while carrying out its risky missions. According to expert estimates, the total number of mines removed from Kuwaiti territory is approximately 1.65 million, including more than a million anti-personnel mines, representing 65 percent of the total number of removed mines. History records that the highest number of mines planted per square kilometer was monitored in Kuwait, reaching 92 mines/km2,” she added
The KEPS chairperson pointed out that there are at least 100 million mines in the world today, and mines are an extremely lethal weapon that is destructive to the environment and a menace to humans. They are also inexpensive, as a mine costs between $3 and $30, while its replacement equipment and weapons require many times this cost. She called on Arab countries to commemorate this occasion annually to spread the culture of environmental protection and to conduct an assessment of the environmental impact of these wars on the Arab countries.
