The Issues in Kuwait’s Current Climate

Tackling climate change and how it is impacting Kuwait’s economy

Kuwait is the 7th largest exporter of oil, providing 50% of its GDP, but climate change is causing people to rethink their dependency on oil.

Climate change will potentially affect everyone’s future. Of course, the oil and fossil fuel industry has an impact and so, as a country responsible and involved in this sector, Kuwait needs to address their part in this, both from a concern for our economy, but also from the social and environmental impact.

That is a reason to why I am setting up a charity called Green for Life. The aim is to work together with the government and the respective industries to explore changes we can make to our oil extraction, purification and transportation methods to clean up the industry and encourage legal reform to protect it. This is not about attacking the industry, but working with them to find solutions. I hope, eventually, that we can also reduce Kuwait’s carbon footprint by encouraging the industry and government to invest globally in tree plantations and support environmental initiatives. There will also be an educational strand of Green for Life, working with schools and universities to explain the impacts of Climate Change and show how we can all make small changes to have a positive impact.

Kuwait has a great investment potential for international business, but I feel there is caution with international investors regarding the Arab World and ease of business. I feel that to remain successful, Kuwait needs to diversify its economy, which is something that has been touched on in Vision 2035.

What is Vision 2035?

Kuwait’s Emir, Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah GCB (Hon), is working to diversify and strengthen Kuwait’s economic competitiveness by boosting the private industry and reducing legal red tape through legal reform. The country is making strong head-way speeding up business and property registration, cheaper energy and making the economic environment generally more inviting to outside investors.

Confronting foreign investors’ misconceptions about Islamic law

I think many smaller businesses have incorrect conceptions about Shari’a Law and assume it may negatively impact business, for example, in the case of interest and loans. They are unaware that many Arab countries have a Civil Code based on the French system and are, therefore, very familiar to EU businesses. The Commercial Code takes a pragmatic view of lending money, an essential part of business. Kuwait, in particular, has also been making many changes to its Commerical Code to facilitate foreign startups and international business relations.

Tackling gender stereotypes in Kuwait and lawI recently gave a TEDx talk discussing stereotyping of Women; stereotyping is a frequent challenge limiting the options and dreams of young women everywhere. It reduces their confidence to step up to careers and positions they are qualified for and capable of. The first step to making cultural changes is promoting legal reform and I am currently working with the World Bank to do just that. I am passionate about motivating young people to reach for their dreams. As a lecturer, I see the creativity, insight and innovation with which young people approach global problem-solving. All of my articles and talks work to encourage organisations and businesses to invest in our youth and give them opportunities to lead and make a real difference. Women make up half of our global population; we lack half of society’s perspective, innovation and skills if they are not represented in top positions of law, business and leadership. We need equal representation and we need to encourage young people, and young women, in particular, to step up.

Dr Bashayer AlMajed

Dr.Bashayer.AlMajed@gmail.com

More about Dr AlMajed

As an Assistant Professor of Law at Kuwait University, Adviser for Kuwait government, I am committed to the importance of law and justice, particularly in the Middle East. A professor’s role, as both teacher and researcher, is an honour. I believe it is also a responsibility to empower and inspire others; to use my position as an educator, as an adviser, lawyer and as a young, female voice to represent an authentic Kuwaiti female experience; to show difficulties we face, but the successes that women can achieve regardless. I strive to show how improving equality in Kuwait, and empowering our youth to lead and bring fresh ideas, we can strengthen our economy. I work hard to promote a modern, enlightened standpoint on major legal and humanitarian issues. From an early age, travelling extensively and studying abroad, I have embraced the importance of internationalism: I am now an active international, award-winning, conference and public events speaker.