The Kuwait Pavilion at Expo 2023 Doha for Horticulture organised a conference entitled "The role of the private sector towards sustainability," in cooperation with Gulf Bank, Kuwait Finance House, and EQUATE Petrochemical Company.
The conference, which came as part of the participation of the State of Kuwait in Expo 2023 Doha, aims to highlight the efforts of Kuwaiti institutions in spreading environmental awareness and to shed light on the role of the private sector in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
On this occasion, Commissioner General of the State of Kuwait Pavilion, Eng. Sameera Al Kandari, said that this conference emanates from the belief that the path to achieving sustainability and environmental balance is the combined efforts of the public and private sectors, civil society, and individuals. She noted that the State of Kuwait pays special attention to achieving sustainability and that it is not possible to achieve development and well-being for citizens without seeking to preserve and sustain environmental and human resources.
She added that her country has invested in multiple environmental development projects, and has sought to enact laws and legislation that encourage environmental preservation and sustainability, including Environmental Protection Law No 42.
Eng. Sameera al-Kandari praised Qatar's hosting of the Expo, which is being held for the first time in the Middle East. It is an ideal opportunity for different countries and entities to share sustainable and innovative environmental solutions, to achieve a better future for the coming generations.
She indicated that this conference reviews environmental policies and the various efforts of the private sector to participate in achieving sustainability and demonstrate their social responsibility as part of Kuwait's participation in the Doha Horticultural Expo.
She stressed Kuwait's keenness to enrich its experience by organising lectures, workshops, and conferences that fall under the Expo's slogan "Green Desert, Better Environment" and its four sub-themes: modern agriculture, technology, innovation, environmental awareness, and sustainability.
Sameera Al Kandari emphasized the efforts of various parties in the state of Kuwait in combating desertification and preserving biodiversity. This was possible through spreading environmental awareness and achieving environmental sustainability by raising awareness about the challenges and potential solutions to desertification.
In turn, a representative of Gulf Bank, Ahmed Al Amir said that their participation in the conference aims to highlight the role of the private sector in sustainable development and to review the bank's efforts in achieving sustainable development goals, as they in the bank have allocated a special committee for sustainability to present a clear plan for achieving these goals. This can be done at the environmental, social, or governance level.
He explained that they have approved a strategy based on environmental issues, by developing the bank branches to be environmentally friendly buildings, as well as working to reduce the use and printing of paper and the use of plastic bags in cooperative societies, in addition to replacing them with reusable bags.
For his part, Vice-President of Technical Services at EQUATE Petrochemical Company, Dr. Salman Al Ajmi, spoke about the importance of reducing carbon emissions from the source, based on their sense of responsibility towards the environment. He explained that the company's initiatives revolve around reducing emissions, minimizing the carbon footprint, and improving the quality of life.
Dr. Salman expressed his admiration for the sustainability theme at Expo 2023 Doha, as it is an important topic that affects all aspects of life, and is not limited only to matters of agriculture and horticulture, but rather includes all fields and activities.
For his part, Abdulaziz Al Dhiyab from Kuwait Finance House confirmed that Kuwait Finance House was keen to conclude various partnerships, agreements, and initiatives in the field of sustainability and environmental preservation with many governmental and private agencies in the State of Kuwait, and to participate in environmental initiatives and workshops and other initiatives related to environmental protection in collaboration with various agencies in the country.
He noted that the Kuwait Finance House had effective participation and cooperation with many institutions to plant trees, launch initiatives concerned with environmental preservation and sustainability, and many environmental events, activities, and agreements.
