The Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME), in collaboration with 10 entities, graduated 25 students from five countries in its summer camp "Blue Leader" on Thursday.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Ahmad, ROPME's Executive Secretary, told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the organization has launched its marine environment strategy, which includes education, community engagement, and collaboration with the educational sector.

Al-Ahmad highlighted "the importance of marine environmental education, promoting related concepts, and ensuring their sustainability, as these are fundamental pillars for life below water."

He explained that education efforts include formal education through curriculum development, in cooperation with education ministries in ROPME member states, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Iraq, and Iran.

Additionally, he noted that non-formal or extracurricular education involves parallel activities such as exhibitions, camps, workshops, and hands-on field programs.

ROPME conducted a study on the requirements for the "Blue Leader" educational program, designed various activities, and launched the summer camp as one of its extracurricular initiatives. This year’s camp aims to refine the program in collaboration with member states before expanding it to all members next year.

ROPME’s area of responsibility covers the Arabian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and part of the Arabian Sea, spanning 500,000 square kilometers, with participation from GCC states, Iraq, and Iran.

Established as a coordinating body among member states, ROPME works to protect the marine environment in the regional sea area shared by Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE from pollution and damage caused by human activities on land and at sea.