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Biodiversity protection a shared responsibility for sustainability: EPA

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KUWAIT: The Environment Public Authority (EPA) reaffirmed Thursday that the protection of biodiversity is a collective responsibility and a moral and humanitarian obligation, requiring unified national and global efforts to secure a prosperous present and a sustainable future for generations to come. Acting Director General of the EPA Nouf Behbehani made the remarks during a ceremony marking the International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD), organized by the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC), and the National Committee of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

In her address, Behbehani noted that IBD, observed annually on May 22, commemorates the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity during the landmark 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The summit, she said, marked a pivotal moment in global environmental governance with the adoption of three major conventions: the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), forming the foundation of international environmental sustainability efforts.

Behbehani highlighted that this year’s celebration is held under the theme “Be Part of the Plan,” which calls for harmonizing development with nature and underscores the urgent need to redefine humanity’s relationship with the environment. She emphasized that safeguarding biodiversity is vital to ensuring food and water security, climate stability, and public health.

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She outlined four key pillars of the national biodiversity campaign: raising public awareness on the importance of biodiversity; updating national strategies in alignment with international frameworks; strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration to fulfill obligations under global environmental treaties; and encouraging development initiatives that prioritize environmental protection and long-term sustainability.

Representing KOTC’s Acting CEO Sheikh Khaled Ahmed Al-Malik Al-Sabah, Acting Director of the Health, Safety and Environment Group Mohammed Mirza reiterated the company’s longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship. He affirmed KOTC’s active role in promoting sustainable practices and supporting national initiatives aligned with Kuwait’s environmental vision.

Mirza highlighted the company’s achievements, including the full operation of its LPG filling branches in Shuaiba and Umm Al-Aish using solar energy. He also pointed to the environmental compliance of the company’s fleet, which adheres to international maritime regulations such as ballast water treatment systems and emission reduction measures. KOTC, he added, remains engaged in various environmental initiatives, including coastal cleanups, awareness campaigns, tree planting, recycling, and climate change mitigation. Meanwhile, Dr Wijdan Al-Oqab, Chairperson of the IUCN National Committee and President of the Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS), emphasized Kuwait’s international commitment to biodiversity through its ratification of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the submission of national reports.

She called for a serious re-evaluation of the current environmental situation in the country and advocated for a shift from an exploitative relationship with nature to a balanced and cooperative approach. Dr Al-Oqab lauded the EPA’s executive role in implementing environmental legislation and monitoring adherence to global agreements, in addition to the contributions of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research and civil society organizations in advancing environmental awareness.

She further praised KEPS’ pioneering efforts in public education, including the production of Arab-recognized environmental documentaries such as “Every Day a Bird” and “Every Day a Plant,” which have documented Kuwait’s wildlife and now serve as valuable scientific and educational resources across the Arab world and within Kuwaiti schools. The event underscored a unified call for action to protect biodiversity as a cornerstone of sustainable development and environmental resilience. — KUNA

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Kuwait, UAE team up in drug bust

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PACI employee arrested for forging addresses for bribes • More citizenships revoked

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti security men busted an attempt to smuggle a large drugs haul with a street value estimated at KD 1.5 million, with the cooperation of the United Arab Emirates’ interior ministry, a statement announced on Thursday. The haul consisted of 10 kg of heroin and 100 kg of shabu, an illegal chemical substance, and was destined for an Afghan man who was arrested, the interior ministry said.

Through security cooperation with the UAE, the Kuwaiti authorities received information of the shipment that was due to arrive at Shuwaikh Port and belonged to an organized international network. The container was allowed to leave the port by customs men and the receiver, an Afghan man, was arrested at Amghara industrial area, west of Kuwait City.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah thanked the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Emirati officials for the cooperation that led to the huge bust, stressing the importance of continued security coordination. The minister reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to countering the drug threat and safeguarding national security through local and international partnerships.

Separately, the interior ministry announced on Thursday the arrest of an employee working at the Public Authority for Civil Information on charges of forging official documents and accepting bribes. The ministry said the bust followed information and coordination with officials from the civil information authority, revealing the suspect had exploited his job authority to access the electronic system and change residents’ addresses without their presence or submission of official documents, in violation of established regulations.

Investigations revealed that the suspect had added fake addresses in exchange for payments of up to KD 120 per transaction, abusing his position for illicit gain. He was found to have processed over 5,000 transactions since the beginning of this year in collaboration with a number of middlemen inside and outside Kuwait.

Two middlemen were arrested, along with seven individuals who had paid money to complete their transactions. The suspect was found to have used the illicit proceeds to purchase jewelry, gold bars and luxury items in an attempt to conceal the source of the funds. The suspects and the seized items were referred to the public prosecution for legal action.

Meanwhile, the interior ministry said on Thursday that the Supreme Commission for Nationality has decided to revoke the citizenship of an unspecified number of people for a variety of reasons. The ministry said in a statement that the citizenships were revoked because holders held citizenship of a third country, banned under Kuwaiti law, while others held citizenships that were obtained through false information and forgery.

Some other citizenships were revoked for the sake of the country’s national interests and others because holders violated their loyalty to the country. The ministry gave no details about the numbers. The commission has in the past 15 months stripped over 37,000 people of their Kuwaiti citizenship, about 29,000 of them were foreign women who became Kuwaitis after getting married to Kuwaiti men.

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5-week program aims to prepare Kuwaiti youth for employment

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5-week program aims to prepare Kuwaiti youth for employment

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KRCS, WHO discuss cooperation in health and training fields

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KUWAIT: Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) Vice Chairman Dr Nasser Al-Tannak affirmed the importance of enhancing cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) across various health and training sectors, particularly in light of growing global health challenges. Speaking to KUNA following a meeting with WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Kuwait Dr Asad Hafeez, Al-Tannak revealed that KRCS is working towards signing a memorandum of understanding with the WHO’s Kuwait office.

The agreement will cover key areas including mental health, risk awareness, addiction prevention, and the development of specialized training programs. Al-Tannak noted that the KRCS Board of Directors is committed to advancing a comprehensive strategy for training employees and volunteers in accordance with international standards. This initiative aims to enhance their capabilities, particularly in emergency and disaster response operations.

He emphasized that this approach reflects the Society’s vision of building a well-qualified humanitarian workforce, capable of responding swiftly and effectively to humanitarian calls worldwide. He added that KRCS stands as a distinguished example of institutional humanitarian work in the region. During the meeting, WHO officials were briefed on the Society’s wide-ranging efforts in relief, healthcare, development, and humanitarian assistance, as well as its community-driven initiatives and key achievements over the past year. These accomplishments, he said, mark a qualitative leap in KRCS operations and reaffirm its unwavering commitment to serving humanity.

For his part, Dr Hafeez commended the Kuwait Red Crescent Society’s role in conducting awareness campaigns and offering psychological and social support. He also praised the Society’s work in strengthening volunteer capabilities to manage health emergencies. Dr Hafeez stressed the significance of continued collaboration to enhance readiness and response to health crises both in Kuwait and the broader region, noting KRCS’s extensive experience and high credibility in the fields of humanitarian, relief, and public health work. — KUNA

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