Kuwait city: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi affirmed that the GCC states have witnessed qualitative development in environmental work in recent years. ‘They have translated their environmental commitments into ambitious initiatives and pioneering projects, and have been keen to enhance their presence as an influential and effective bloc in global efforts to confront climate change and protect the environment for future generations,’ Albudaiwi said.
According to Saudi Press Agency, this statement was made during the 27th session of the Ministers Responsible for Environmental Affairs in the GCC states, held today in Kuwait City. The meeting was chaired by Minister of Oil and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Environment in the State of Kuwait, Tareq Sulaiman Al-Roumi, the current session’s chairman, and attended by the ministers responsible for environmental affairs in the GCC states.
At the beginning of his speech, the GCC secretary-general extended his thanks and appreciation to Amir of the State of Kuwait and Chairman of the Supreme Council of the GCC, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. He also expressed gratitude to the leaders of the GCC states for their continuous support for joint Gulf action aimed at achieving the aspirations of GCC citizens for further cooperation and integration.
During his remarks, Albudaiwi noted that emission-reduction policies and increased reliance on renewable energy have become fundamental pillars for the GCC states in their national paths toward a low-carbon economy that balances economic growth with the preservation of natural resources. ‘These efforts represent the fruit of an integrated Gulf approach that combines environmental and economic dimensions, making environmental protection an effective tool to stimulate investment in value-added green sectors. It also serves as a means to create quality job opportunities in clean energy, waste management, modern environmental technologies, and the application of circular carbon economy principles, thereby contributing to expanding the production base, enhancing the competitiveness of the GCC states, and achieving sustainable development in its economic, social, and environmental dimensions,’ Albudaiwi said.
The GCC secretary-general also stressed the GCC states’ keenness to align their environmental policies with global commitments and the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate. ‘This stems from their belief in regional and international cooperation and their steadfast commitment to international agreements and initiatives aimed at achieving carbon neutrality, actively contributing to global efforts to combat climate change, and promoting the transition toward a low-emission, more efficient, and innovative economy. In this context, the GCC General Secretariat is working to enhance joint Gulf action in the environmental field through coordination among member states to establish unified environmental policies that integrate with the economic and developmental paths of the GCC states,’ he said.
Albudaiwi also pointed out that the GCC states have given great importance to climate and energy issues and have taken pioneering steps at both national and regional levels. ‘This includes adopting policies aimed at diversifying the energy mix, ensuring security and sustainability of supply, and enhancing efficiency of use through rationalizing energy and water consumption. They are also developing technologies that enable maximum production with minimal resources, expanding the use of treated water to reduce pressure on natural water resources, and investing in clean energy and hydrogen technologies to support the transition toward low-emission energy sources. Furthermore, they are implementing circular carbon economy principles by reducing emissions, reusing them, recycling them, and removing them through sustainable means,’ Albudaiwi concluded.
