Kuwait Dive Team’s achievements celebrated by UN

BEIRUT: The Kuwait Dive Team carried out 130 environmental missions during 2024–2025, focusing on coral reef protection, the removal of waste and sunken ships, and the securing of marine navigation, according to their newly released annual report. The announcement was made during a meeting between the team and the United Nations Environment Program’s (UNEP) West Asia Office in Beirut, where UNEP officials praised Kuwait’s leadership in marine environmental protection. Sami Dimassi, Director of UNEP’s West Asia Office, commended the Kuwait Dive Team’s efforts, describing them as a reflection of Kuwait’s strong commitment to international environmental agreements and sustainable development.

Dimassi noted the team’s contributions to the global “Clean Seas” campaign, highlighting their hands-on role in combating marine plastic pollution—a major global ecological challenge. He emphasized that the Dive Team’s work showcases Kuwait’s proactive approach to safeguarding marine ecosystems for future generations. The team’s annual report detailed significant accomplishments, including the removal of 12 sunken vessels and boats, weighing a total of 60 tons, and the collection of 120 tons of abandoned fishing nets and other harmful debris from Kuwait’s coastal waters.

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Dive Team removes a 200-kilogram fishing net from coral reefs north of Qaruh Island in this file photo.

In addition, the team successfully maintained and repaired 107 marine moorings to protect coral reefs and ensure safe anchoring for boats and yachts. Beyond direct environmental action, the Dive Team also maintains regular monitoring of Kuwait’s southern islands, coasts, and marine reserves, providing environmental reports to government agencies, international organizations, and research institutions such as Australia’s CoralWatch program.

In a statement, Kuwait Dive Team leader Waleed Al-Fadhel reaffirmed the team’s long-standing commitment to marine conservation. He recalled the 2018 Memorandum of Understanding signed with UNEP to support the “Clean Seas” initiative and described the team’s work as a “translation of Kuwait’s environmental pledges into practical action.”

Al-Fadhel highlighted the team’s ongoing awareness campaigns, including the Mobile Beach Cleanup Campaign, which has been organized weekly for ten consecutive years. These campaigns include coastal cleanups, environmental workshops, educational talks, and activities aimed at increasing public awareness of marine protection issues. The Kuwaiti Dive Team’s achievements were recently recognized with the Energy Globe Foundation Award, an international acknowledgment of their leadership in environmental work.

Dimassi concluded by expressing appreciation for the team’s contributions, noting that their work strengthens regional and global efforts to preserve healthy marine environments and aligns with global sustainability goals. — KUNA