Future Perfect

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Sustainable development in Kuwait

Salah Mudhhi Al-Mudhhi, Environment Public Authority, Kuwait

he twenty-first century is a time of unprecedented change,

with global pressures impacting society and the natural

environment. Challenges include rapid economic devel-

opment and population growth, increasing demand for food,

water and energy, scarcity of water resources, particularly in the

Arabian Gulf region, degradation of land and water quality, and

global and regional climate changes impacting water availabil-

ity, soil quality and marine productivity.

In addition, there is increasing risk from the impacts of major natural

and man-induced disasters and hazards such as floods, earthquakes,

storms, droughts, sea-level rise, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,

endangered plant and animal species, degradation of land areas and

ecosystems caused by wars, and accidental spillage and discharge

of crude oil, untreated industrial waste and sewage water into the

marine environment. Sustainable development has become the first

priority of governments in most countries as they seek to conserve

the Earth’s resources for future generations.

At the Earth Summit Conference in Rio de Janiero in 1992,

the late Amir of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed

Al-Jaber Al-Sabah expressed the keen interest of

the Kuwaiti Government and people in developing

a society that enjoys well-being, safety and security

while conforming to local, regional and international

agreements, laws and regulations on the protection

of the environment.

Kuwait’s policy for the sustainable development of

society and protection of its environment has manifested

itself in several ways. Funds have been allocated for

future generations and in 1995, the Kuwait Environment

Public Authority (KEPA) was established

to:

• Set and implement strategies, policies and plans to

safeguard Kuwait’s environment

• Combat and control environmental pollution

• Cooperate and coordinate with all relevant

organizations to draft laws, prepare legislation and

promulgate regulations to ensure environmental

safety, protection and development

• Ensure sustainable development of the environment

and society.

nvironment

air

water

oceans

climate

change

Aeration tanks and secondary clarifiers

Aerial view for Sulaibiya Plant

Image: new edition of Utilities Developing Company publication (UDC, 2009)