ARABIAN TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Kuwait is intensifying its preparations for the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), with a renewed focus on aligning international climate commitments with national priorities and sustainable development objectives.
Dr. Reem Al-Fulaij, Minister of State for Development and Sustainability Affairs, chaired the third meeting of the Supreme Committee for Climate Change (SCCC) for 2026 on Wednesday. The meeting forms part of Kuwait’s national preparations for COP31, scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, 2026.
The committee reviewed a proposal outlining Kuwait’s negotiating position on key international climate issues, including matters related to the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. The initiative seeks to establish a coordinated national position that reflects Kuwait’s priorities and interests while strengthening its role and active participation in international climate negotiations.
Speaking to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Dr. Al-Fulaij said Kuwait was developing an institutional and integrated approach to climate action. The approach is based on coordinating national efforts, defining clear priorities and ensuring that climate commitments remain aligned with the country’s executive plans and development projects.
The minister emphasised that Kuwait’s participation in COP31 should reflect its national interests and support its sustainable development pathways. The strategy highlights the importance of connecting international climate diplomacy with domestic planning, ensuring that decisions taken at global forums are considered in the context of the country’s development objectives.
The Supreme Committee’s deliberations also underline the significance of inter-institutional coordination in preparing for international climate negotiations. Establishing a unified negotiating position can help Kuwait articulate its concerns, priorities and policy objectives more effectively in discussions involving climate change mitigation, adaptation and international cooperation.
The UNFCCC provides the overarching framework for global climate cooperation, while the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement represent major milestones in international efforts to address climate change. Kuwait’s preparations for COP31 therefore involve engaging with a broad range of issues that shape the international climate agenda.
As countries prepare for the Antalya conference, Kuwait’s approach signals an effort to strengthen policy coordination and ensure that its international engagement remains consistent with national development priorities. Through the Supreme Committee for Climate Change, Kuwait is seeking to establish a structured framework for participation in global climate discussions.
