Kuwait - Overview

Status and trends of biodiversity, including benefits from biodiversity and ecosystem services

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

Kuwait is characterized by its flat topography and many valleys that descend mainly northeastwardly. The country’s coastline is about 660 km long (including nine offshore islands) with its most important feature being Kuwait Bay which is a suitable nursery ground for fish and shrimp larvae... More »

Main pressures on and drivers of change to biodiversity (direct and indirect)

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

One of the worst disasters to which the already fragile ecosystems were exposed relates to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990. The bombing of more than 700 oil wells and crude oil spills in marine and land environments, air pollution from burning fires, movement of military vehicles, proliferation of mines and weapons and building of trenches by the military, had negative impacts on the soil and land which resulted in their contamination... More »

Implementation of the NBSAP

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

Examples of progress made in implementing the National Strategy for Biodiversity (1998) include: the adoption of a request for environmental impact studies for development projects with a focus on different aspects of biodiversity and ways to maintain it; the establishment of nature reserves (e.g... More »

Actions taken to achieve the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

Large numbers of exotic plant species have been imported as a way of greening the country; however, this action is putting biodiversity at risk as these plants often carry with them insects, bacteria and viruses... More »

Support mechanisms for national implementation (legislation, funding, capacity-building, coordination, mainstreaming, etc.)

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

Obstacles to implementation include: lack of coordination mechanisms between government agencies and NGOs responsible for environmental affairs; an acute shortage of specialists for the protection of indigenous plants and the lack of human and technical capacities to manage various aspects of biodiversity... More »

Mechanisms for monitoring and reviewing implementation

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

The Environment Public Authority (EPA) regularly monitors water benthic meiofauna that comprise about 304 species, 45 of which exist on Kuwait’s shores... More »