GCC reaches sustainable development goals in hazardous waste recycling
The report revealed that the recycling and reuse rate of hazardous waste in the GCC reached 30 percent in 2023, enabling the region to achieve the 12th SDG, which focuses on responsible consumption and production. Furthermore, the cumulative number of national reports submitted by GCC countries under the Basel Convention on the Control of Hazardous Wastes totaled 87.
By the end of 2023, the GCC countries collected an estimated 262.7 million tons of waste, marking a significant increase of 153.7 percent compared to 2019. Of this total, 192 million tons were treated, reflecting a 128.5 percent rise. Notably, the per capita household waste decreased by 17.4 percent to 1.4 kilograms per person per day during the same period.
The report highlighted that 99.2 percent of non-hazardous waste was collected across the GCC, while 95.8 percent of hazardous waste was exported globally for treatment. This treatment primarily involved recycling or recovery of metals and metal compounds.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, hazardous waste collected from the healthcare sector declined by 11.4 percent in 2023 compared to the previous year. The GCC countries also made significant advancements in medical waste management infrastructure, increasing the number of incinerators to approximately 23 sites—a 27.8 percent growth from 2022. The design capacity of these incineration facilities surged by 123.9 percent, reaching 127.5 thousand metric tons.
In contrast, hazardous waste from the industrial sector rose by 23.8 percent in 2023 compared to 2022. Meanwhile, municipal household waste collection decreased over the past three years, falling from a peak of 35.5 million tons in 2020 to roughly 30.8 million tons in 2023.
Agricultural waste collection also saw a notable increase of 44 percent in 2023, rising to 2.5 million tons compared to 2 million tons in 2022 and 1.7 million tons in 2019. Additionally, municipal waste generated by other economic activities increased from 11.9 million tons in 2019 to 14.3 million tons in 2023.
According to the 'GCC Waste Management Market Analysis 2019-2023' report by Mordor Intelligence, the waste management market in GCC countries is valued at approximately $68.3 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $97.4 billion by 2030. This represents a compound annual growth rate of 7.4 percent during this period.
GCC-Stat, based in the Sultanate of Oman, serves as the official statistical authority for the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. It is tasked with providing data and enhancing statistical and information technology services for national planning agencies.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
11 hours ago
- Arab Times
Kuwait, Netherlands back dialogue for international stability
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 6: Dutch Ambassador to Kuwait Laurens Westhoff described his five-year diplomatic experience in the country as 'rich and full of opportunities.' Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Westhoff reflected on his tenure, which began during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He revealed, 'I arrived in Kuwait at a difficult time -- during the COVID-19 pandemic. Direct communication is vital in diplomacy, and that was initially a challenge. However, I was impressed by the Kuwaiti government's efficiency in managing the health crisis.' Throughout his tenure, Westhoff worked towards strengthening the longstanding ties between the Netherlands and Kuwait. 'Over the past five years, I have sought to strengthen the relationship between our two countries, which dates back more than 60 years. In 2024, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and Kuwait,' he added. He pointed out the emergence of new areas of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the energy transition sector. 'We launched an important initiative on transitioning from oil dependency to alternative energy sources, such as solar and hydrogen. This is in collaboration with Kuwait University, Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), along with Dutch experts,' he disclosed. He also expounded on the shared geopolitical realities of the two nations. 'Both the Netherlands and Kuwait are relatively small countries surrounded by larger neighbors — by Britain, Germany, and France; you by Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Iran. This compels us to rely on dialogue, diplomacy and mutual understanding to ensure stability and cooperation,' he stated. He confirmed that trade relations between the two countries have remained robust. He said 'in 2024, Dutch exports to Kuwait reached approximately €845 million, while imports – primarily crude oil – totaled around €1.6 billion through the Port of Rotterdam. This brings the overall volume of bilateral trade to roughly €2.4 billion. The Netherlands also holds a leading position among European countries in terms of direct investments in Kuwait. Dutch investments amount to KD488 million; mostly channeled through companies and investment funds in various sectors like oil, airport infrastructure, information technology, energy, and agriculture.' He praised the growing appreciation among Kuwaitis for the Netherlands as a travel destination. 'Around 14,000 Kuwaiti tourists visit the Netherlands annually. This year, the number reached 7,000 by mid-year alone. Despite our not-so-ideal weather, Kuwaitis seem to enjoy the cold and rain,' he said. He also highlighted the appeal of the Netherlands' compact size, cultural offerings, and ease of travel. 'Although our country is only twice the size of Kuwait, it offers a unique tourism experience— with world-class museums and artworks by Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Vermeer—all within short distances,' he elaborated. On education, Westhoff acknowledged the room for growth. He stated that the number of Kuwaiti students in the Netherlands is modest compared to countries like Canada, due to language and education system differences. 'Nevertheless, we are working hard to develop this aspect. Every Kuwaiti who studies in the Netherlands becomes a cultural ambassador for our bilateral relations,' he asserted. On defense ties, he revealed that training programs for the Kuwaiti naval forces occasionally take place in the Netherlands. There have also been high-level reciprocal visits, including a visit by Undersecretary of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Al-Sabah two years ago. He added that the Dutch Foreign Minister is scheduled to meet with his Kuwaiti counterpart this October. On air travel between the two nations, Westhoff commented on KLM's service suspension. He explained that 'KLM's decision was not related to Kuwait, but rather due to operational challenges at Schiphol Airport. Meanwhile, Kuwait Airways continues to operate three weekly flights to Amsterdam, maintaining strong connectivity.' He also clarified the current visa processing issues. He said the recent changes in visa appointment procedures were introduced by VFS, not the embassy, indicating these adjustments aim to curb the selling of appointments by intermediaries and to ensure transparency. He then revealed that his successor, Veeresh Ramsukh, will assume duties in early September. 'He is a seasoned diplomat of Indian origin, born in Suriname and raised in the Netherlands. Like me, he does not speak Arabic, but that has not been a barrier; as Kuwaitis are proficient in English,' he asserted. In his closing remarks, Westhoff expressed heartfelt appreciation for Kuwait and its people. 'I will miss Kuwait deeply. This experience has enriched my life, and I hope I have contributed to strengthening the ties between our two countries. The Diwaniya is a wonderful idea—welcoming people spontaneously and without formality. My wife and I are even considering starting a similar tradition in our hometown in eastern Holland: opening our home at specific times to friends and neighbors, with coffee and food, just like in Kuwait.'
Kuwait Times
13 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Australia lifts foreign student cap to 295,000, prioritizes Southeast Asia
Australia lifts foreign student cap to 295,000, prioritizes Southeast Asia Measures to bring down 'out of control' student numbers SYDNEY: Australia will raise its cap on foreign students by 9 percent to 295,000 next year and prioritize applicants from Southeast Asia, the government said on Monday. Limits on places were announced last year as a way to rein in record migration that had contributed to a surge in housing prices, with 270,000 places made available for 2025. An additional 25,000 places were being granted in 2026 as the policy was successfully bringing down 'out of control' international student numbers, the government said. 'This is about making sure international education grows in a way that supports students, universities and the national interest,' Education Minister Jason Clare said in a statement. Australia granted nearly 600,000 student visas in the 2023 financial year, as international students returned to the country in record numbers following COVID-19. Australia's largest cohorts of students come from China and India. As well as introducing the cap on numbers, the government also more than doubled the visa fee for foreign students in 2024 and pledged to close loopholes in rules that allowed them to continuously extend their stay. The government's measures to curb migration were 'bearing fruit' and allowed for a modest increase in the cap in 2026, International Education Assistant Minister Julian Hill said. 'The numbers were growing out of control,' Hill told national broadcaster ABC. 'The government has taken tough decisions over the last 12 months, not always loved by the sector, to get the numbers down and get them to a more sustainable footing.' Roughly two-thirds of places will be allocated to universities and one-third to the vocational skills training sector. Larger, public universities would need to demonstrate domestic and international students had 'access to safe and secure housing' and recruit more students from Southeast Asia to increase their individual allocations, the government said. It was important 'for Australia's future soft power that we continue to bring the best and brightest from our (Southeast Asian) neighbors to have a bit of Australia with them for the rest of their life', Hill said. Relations with Southeast Asia have been a focus of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor government as it looks to reduce Australia's economic dependence on China. Universities Australia welcomed the 'sensible' increase in places. 'Universities have called for growth in this critically important sector, and the government has honored this,' CEO Luke Sheehy said. Australia has one of the highest shares of international students globally. The sector contributed more than A$51 billion ($33.05 billion) to the economy in 2024, the country's top services export. – Reuters
Arab Times
a day ago
- Arab Times
His Highness the Prime Minister, congratulations on your visit to Saudi Arabia
The visit of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah to Saudi Arabia came at the right time. Kuwait has recently taken huge steps toward modernizing and developing a series of laws, particularly in the fields of investment and infrastructure, while Riyadh continues to be economically active on multiple fronts. This makes integration between the two countries more important than ever to strengthen trade, development, and investment activity. There is no doubt that Kuwait's delay in joining the Gulf ranks was largely the result of deliberate obstruction by members of previous National Assemblies. During the past two decades, parliamentary representatives repeatedly obstructed major development projects and legislation, often driven by personal interests, as if Kuwait's future were tied to their individual gains. Today, with the dawn of a new era and notable progress in various sectors, the opportunity to establish strong partnerships with Gulf Cooperation Council countries, as a prelude to opening up to the world, has become more attainable. Kuwait possesses substantial capabilities that have long remained underutilized, and now is the time to activate them. This, without a doubt, requires a solid foundation for investment, and Saudi Arabia, a powerhouse in the region, offers vast opportunities that could serve as a major launchpad for revitalizing relations with neighboring states. This is especially true given that, over the past ten years, since King Salman bin Abdulaziz assumed power, the remarkable leadership of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman has propelled the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the forefront of global attention, particularly through the ambitious projects of Vision 2030, the results of which are now beginning to materialize. In this context, the visit by His Highness the Prime Minister was a strategic investment in every sense, signaling a fresh chapter in areas vital to both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. It comes at a time when Kuwait is positioning itself as a Gulf investment engine, actively working to diversify its sources of income and enhance its gross domestic product, which necessitates strong partnerships with the surrounding region first, and the world second. This was reflected in the high-level delegation that accompanied His Highness the Prime Minister to NEOM, especially amid growing discussions about Kuwait's involvement in major regional projects, most notably in the Saudi market. This would represent a major step forward, provided it proceeds without obstacles, as it would establish a strong regional development presence and open the door to investment in various sectors. Undoubtedly, the role of the private sector in both countries will be a cornerstone in this effort, serving to deepen ties between the two peoples and reinforce the principle of cooperation for integration as outlined in the Charter of the Gulf Cooperation Council. In a world undergoing many changes, especially in terms of economic shifts, and in a region as sensitive as ours, strengthening cooperation and integration among GCC countries remains the foremost line of defense for this closely connected and homogeneous group in terms of language, culture, and economic interests. Hence, the visit of His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah to NEOM, which is now a global hub for investors, also reflects the deep-rooted and intimate relationship between the two countries and their peoples. We say to the leaders behind this visit, while the United States may be the engine of the global train, let us strengthen the movement of communication and partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Kuwait.
