Deals to safeguard beaches, assess pollutants

KFAS, EPA sign two contracts

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 6, (KUNA): Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) on Wednesday signed contracts stipulating two researches for the Environment Public Authority (EPA); one about moving sand and receding beaches along the northern strip of Kuwait Bay and the other on Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

KFAS Director General Dr Adnan Shihab-Eldin, during a ceremony held by the foundation on the inking

Dr Shihab Eldin

occasion, has affirmed that studies and environmental initiatives loom high in KFAS’ 2017-2021 strategy.

The foundation funded, over the past five years, 35 environmental studies and projects, valued at some KD two million – focusing on desertification, air quality, water pollution, environmental well-being and biodiversity, Shihab-Eldin said.

He affirmed that the first project aims at assessing hazards affecting the northern shore of the bay for sake of protecting planned installations in this region.

The second one, he continues, is designed to conduct full assessment of the persistent organic pollutants, enlisted in the Stockholm convention.

The Stockholm convention is an international environmental treaty, signed in 2001 and effective from May 2004. It aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

Meanwhile, EPA Director General and Chairman Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah praised in remarks he made on margins of the ceremony the fruitful cooperation between the two sides.

The first project, he affirms, will tackle hazards resulting from sand movement and beaches’ erosion.

KFAS Director-General Dr Samira Al-Sayed Omar affirmed the approach to eliminate dangers resulting from POPs, indicating that execution of the project would last for 24 months – at a value estimated at KD 288,100 ($950,000).

Kuwait hosts the regional center for West Asia for implementing the Stockholm accord. It occupies some offices at KFAS.