Al-Ajmi tells UN, Kuwait fully committed to protecting marine environment and ocean resources
- Reaffirms its legal and moral obligation to safeguard the marine environment and preserve ocean resources for future generations, fully aligned with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
- Stresses the importance of adopting UN resolutions by consensus, ensuring no country’s interests are overlooked, and highlighted GCC and global cooperation in marine protection, maritime safety, and sustainable resource management.
- Outlines efforts to monitor water quality, reduce pollution, improve oil-spill early warning systems, restore coral reefs, and protect coastal habitats
The State of Kuwait on Monday reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to fulfilling its legal and moral responsibilities in protecting the marine environment and preserving its resources for future generations.
Kuwait stressed that these efforts align with international law while upholding the sovereignty and rights of all states.
This came in a statement delivered by Second Secretary Abdulrahman Al-Ajmi during a United Nations General Assembly session on the agenda item “Oceans and the Law of the Sea.”
Al-Ajmi underscored the need to maintain a consensus-based approach when adopting UN resolutions — especially those dealing with essential issues such as the oceans — because consensus strengthens inclusiveness and reinforces multilateral cooperation, reports Al-Rai daily.
He emphasized that achieving consensus must not come at the expense of any nation’s interests or concerns, noting that the issue of ocean governance affects all countries and demands mutual respect for national circumstances.
He highlighted the significance of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, commonly known as the “constitution of the oceans,” describing it as the core international legal framework governing the use of seas and oceans and protecting the rights of coastal states.
In this context, Al-Ajmi praised the outcomes of the Gulf Cooperation Council Ministerial Council’s statement issued during the Third UN Conference on Oceans and the Atmosphere, held exactly five months ago on June 9.
The statement reaffirmed the GCC countries’ commitment to marine protection, maritime safety, cooperative resource management, and a shared regional vision for maintaining sustainable marine ecosystems.
Kuwait also expressed its appreciation for the efforts made by UN member states to reach a consensus on the draft resolution titled “Oceans and the Law of the Sea.”
Al-Ajmi referred to the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on states’ obligations regarding climate change, which affirmed that environmental protection — including the protection of oceans — is a general legal duty for all countries under international law. This, he said, highlights the need for effective preventive measures to reduce environmental harm and ensure responsible, sustainable use of marine resources.
He outlined Kuwait’s national initiatives to safeguard the marine environment, including comprehensive programs to monitor marine water quality, reduce pollution, and enhance sensing and early warning systems for oil spills in Gulf waters, in coordination with concerned authorities.
Al-Ajmi also highlighted Kuwait’s support for coral reef rehabilitation projects, monitoring marine biodiversity, and the protection of sensitive coastal habitats, alongside its active engagement in regional and Gulf initiatives dedicated to marine conservation.
He affirmed that Kuwait will continue to strengthen these efforts in line with international standards to ensure the sustainability of ocean resources.
Al-Ajmi further stressed the importance of capacity building and marine technology transfer to enable developing countries to meet their marine protection commitments and advance scientific research. He called for continued global support for initiatives that enhance human capabilities and facilitate the exchange of expertise.
He concluded by reaffirming Kuwait’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, emphasizing that protecting marine ecosystems, promoting sustainable fishing, and tackling marine pollution are shared priorities that require strong international cooperation and concrete action to halt ocean degradation.
Al-Ajmi reaffirms Kuwait’s commitment to achieving ‘Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water’, protecting marine ecosystems, promoting sustainable fishing, and tackling marine pollution which are shared priorities that require strong international cooperation and concrete action to halt ocean degradation.
