The Director General of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) Dr. Naji Al-Mutairi emphasized the importance of intensifying scientific research on conservation of environment and water resources.
In his inaugural speech of a symposium on the development of water resources and conservation of environment in Arab Gulf states held in cooperation with the Japan Cooperation Center Petroleum (JCCP), Al-Mutairi said that oil-producing Gulf countries are trying to abide by environment protection standards, at the forefront of which Kyoto convention.
He noted that striking a balance between expansion of oil production and conservation of environment is a huge challenge facing Gulf countries.
He pointed out that most Gulf countries rely on sea water for drinking water and industrial purposes.
Some Gulf countries have made strides in treatment of sewage water, he said.
Al-Mutairi underlined the need for legislative reforms and drawing upon the experience of developed countries to address the environmental challenge.
He added that the three-day symposium aims to review that latest studies and researches on a wide array of key topic related to environment and water resources protection.
Among these issues to be tackled during the symposium are: the renewable energy sources, new strategies for developing and securing underground water, new water desalination and sewage water treatment techniques, he said.
Al-Mutairi said a considerable number of Kuwaiti and Gulf energy, water resources and environment experts are contributing to the event. Moreover, over 20 research papers would be presented during the symposium.
Addressing the symposium, a JCCP delegation member said the Japanese center (JCCP) was founded in 1981 to promote friendly relations between oil-producing countries and Japan through technical cooperation and personnel exchanges in oil industry.
The center had dispatched 5,300 experts to oil producing countries and organized over 200 cooperation projects over the past two decades, the official said.
The JCCP is organizing over 22 symposia in cooperation with the joint committee of the Gulf Cooperation Council.