Kuwait Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah said the Kingdom's hosting of the Middle East Green Initiative Summit emanates from its pivotal and responsible role regionally and internationally entrenching the concept of comprehensive human, economic, climatic and environmental security. He added that Saudi Arabia is considered a destination with a forward-looking vision and a responsible commitment to the region. He cited that this international gathering is evidence of seeking the success of international efforts aimed at combating climate change that some countries will suffer from, especially Kuwait. Sheikh Mishaal's statements came during his participation Monday in the "Middle East Green Initiative" summit in Riyadh, inaugurated by Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. The Crown Prince of Kuwait explained that the initiative comes in exceptional circumstances, highlighting the world's need for sustainability plans and attention to the climate, environment and economy. He added that the ongoing climate change leads to a series of disasters, including forest fires, floods, destruction of crops, hunger, water shortages and epidemics. Sheikh Mishaal noted that Kuwait is still at the forefront of countries seeking to achieve human and environmental sustainability and a permanent partner in coordinating regional and international efforts to combat global climate change. He cited the signing and ratification of regional and international agreements and protocols, participation in relevant conferences, and the pursuit of every agreement that supports all countries' efforts aiming at pursuing sustainable development in line with their respective development strategies and priorities. He said that Kuwait urged all countries to respond effectively to the efforts seeking to achieve environmental sustainability, pointing out that Kuwait launched its environmental strategy within the new Kuwait Vision 2035 in addition to adopting new legislations concerned with protecting the environment, rationalizing the consumption of natural materials, reducing and rehabilitating pollution, and utilizing renewable energies. He underlined that his country has a vision that reiterates that the future of mankind can be achieved through green solutions and wise management of environmental assets, and the importance of linking unique efforts with regional and international initiatives, which Kuwait seeks to achieve through its participation in this summit, based on Kuwait's keenness on environmental sustainability. On the ground, Sheikh Mishaal said Kuwait has environmental sustainability plans aimed at enhancing carbon-neutral pathways, increasing afforestation, establishing land and marine reserves, reducing carbon emissions, introducing renewable energies, and initiating the implementation of different relevant projects, stressing that Kuwait fully supports the KSA's initiative and will cooperate with the Kingdom to implement the objectives of this summit in a way that brings benefit to the Middle East and its environment. — SPA
