KUWAIT: Kuwaiti Oil Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Environment Dr Tareq Al-Roumi affirmed on Wednesday the firm support of GCC leaders for joint Gulf environmental action and their commitment to protecting the environment and natural resources as integral components of comprehensive and sustainable development.
Speaking at the 27th meeting of the GCC Ministers of Environment, Dr Al-Roumi highlighted the determination of Gulf leaders to make environmental protection a top national and regional priority amid mounting global challenges that require stronger cooperation, policy coordination and innovative approaches to ensure environmental sustainability. He said the meeting seeks to enhance Gulf cooperation in addressing environmental issues and to develop knowledge-based solutions that respond to global challenges — chief among them climate change — to achieve human well-being and ensure the sustainability of natural resources.
Dr Al-Roumi noted that Kuwait continues to exert significant efforts in the environmental field, reflecting its commitment to international environmental agreements and its dedication to supporting joint Gulf initiatives and projects. He reaffirmed Kuwait’s determination to work closely with its Gulf counterparts toward achieving a clean, safe, and sustainable environment. He added that the meeting also demonstrates the unity of GCC member states and their ongoing cooperation, coordination, and integration to strengthen collective environmental action and uphold the principles of sustainable development across the region.
Kuwaiti Oil Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Council for the Environment, Dr Tariq Al-Roumi
KUWAIT: Officials attend the 27th Meeting of the Ministers Responsible for Environmental Affairs of the Gulf Cooperation Council. – KUNA photos
For his part, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi commended the remarkable progress achieved by GCC countries in recent years in environmental action, noting that their commitments have been translated into ambitious initiatives and pioneering projects. Al-Budaiwi emphasized that emission reduction policies and greater reliance on renewable energy have become key pillars of the GCC’s transition toward a low-carbon economy that balances economic growth with the preservation of natural resources. He noted that the GCC’s efforts reflect a unified regional vision to align national environmental policies with global commitments.
He further explained that GCC states have given priority to climate and energy issues, adopting environmentally friendly policies that promote energy diversification, efficiency and conservation. These include expanding the use of treated water, investing in clean energy and hydrogen technologies, implementing circular carbon economy principles, reducing emissions and advancing recycling initiatives.
Al-Budaiwi added that the 27th meeting serves to unify Gulf positions in international environmental forums and reinforce the GCC’s role as an influential and proactive bloc in global efforts to combat climate change and protect the environment for future generations. He noted that the meeting is expected to produce constructive outcomes on key initiatives, including the Gulf Green Initiative, the Gulf Environmental Portal project, and the establishment of a Gulf Center for Environmental Studies and Climate Change, along with updates on agreements and international cooperation mechanisms. — KUNA
