Kuwait achieves considerable part of Sustainable Development Goals: SCPD
KUWAIT: Kuwait has achieved a considerable part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Post-2015, said Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development (SCPD) Dr Khaled Mahdi.
Mahdi made the statement at a press conference at the SCPD for the launch of the “Kuwaiti day for occupational health and safety”, held in cooperation with the UN Development Program (UNDP), with participation of the International Labor Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), and Kuwaiti Society for Human Rights.
The event seeks to support the Kuwaiti Public Authority for Manpower via providing expertise in labor market research, in addition to emphasizing the necessity of implementing the criteria of occupational health and safety, as well as commitment to relevant international agreements, Mahdi said. He stressed eagerness by the SCPD and the manpower authority as well as the UN organizations to shed light on the occupational health and safety management systems.
Culture of prevention
According to Mahdi, the culture of prevention requires strong commitment and cooperation on the side of the government authorities, other involved bodies and employers to hit the set targets. Kuwait has committed itself on 25 December at the UN Summit for Sustainable Development 2015, to ratify the SDGs for Post-2015, he said.
The SDGs agenda which comprises 17 goals, covering the three pillars of development, social, economic and environmental. The goals of Kuwait’s mid-term development plan, 2014-2015 and 2019-2020, are closely related to the implementation of the UN SDGs, he said.
National realities, level of development and respect of national policies and priorities are considered. Mahdi noted that the total workforce on the Kuwaiti labor market in 2014 hit 2,24 million people, about 60 percent of the total population.
Meanwhile, Acting Director General of the Public Authority for Manpower Abdullah Al-Mutawtah told the new conference that investing in the human element is a priority of the state. He underscored state’s keenness on implementing the relevant international agreements for providing a healthy labor environment, and protecting workers against occupational and industrial risks and diseases. He said that there are 350 inspectors operating nationwide to monitor the implementation of Law 6/2010 on labor in the private sector.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Kuwait Dima Al-Khatib also addressed the conference, and stressed eagerness to enhance cooperation and partnership with the SCPD and the manpower authority and the civil society organizations. She pointed to the significance of such events to boost awareness on occupational health and safety.