Kuwait hosts regional workshop on sea-level rise and coastal resilience
In a collaborative effort between the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME), the Environment Public Authority (EPA), the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), and the French Embassy in Kuwait, organized a regional workshop on sea-level rise, coastal resilience, and response strategies is being held over two days at the ROPME headquarters in Kuwait City.
According to a statement from the French Embassy, the workshop forms part of the “Blue Conversations” initiative led by the United Nations, in the lead-up to the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) scheduled to take place in Nice, France, from June 9 to 13, 2025.
This high-level event brings together regional and national institutions, technical experts, and representatives from UN agencies such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Also participating is the French Hydrographic and Oceanographic Office (SHOM), contributing its expertise in sea-level monitoring and coastal risk mitigation.
“Sea level rise is no longer a distant threat, but a present reality that demands joint action,” said French Ambassador to Kuwait, H.E. Olivier Gauvin.
Ambassador Gauvin praised the collaborative nature of the event, calling it “a collective achievement” and a testament to the strong commitment of ROPME, EPA, KISR, and UN organizations to finding science-based, practical solutions to the growing threat of rising seas.
He also affirmed that the dialogue will help ensure the Gulf region’s voice is represented on the global stage during UNOC-3.
Highlighting Kuwait’s national efforts, the ambassador commended the contributions of the Environment Public Authority and KISR, two key entities working within ROPME’s regional framework to address environmental risks.
Speaking at the workshop, EPA Acting Director General Nouf Behbehani stressed the urgent threat sea-level rise poses to Kuwait, where over 90% of the population, infrastructure, and economic activity are concentrated along the coastline.
She noted that the Authority is actively working on a comprehensive national strategy to confront the issue. This includes integrated coastal zone management, detailed risk assessments, reinforcement of coastal defenses, integration of sea-level data into urban planning, and designing climate-resilient infrastructure.
Dr. Turki Al-Saeed, Director of the Coastal and Marine Resources Program at KISR, emphasized the role of real-time monitoring and scientific analysis in supporting evidence-based policy.
He highlighted the establishment of a water level monitoring station in Kuwait in 2023 as part of the country’s broader scientific and environmental commitment to tackling sea-level rise.
Dr. Al-Saeed affirmed that KISR continues to provide live data, analysis, and insights to support national decision-making, sustainable coastal development, and environmental protection.
