Latest news with #Behzad
Kuwait Times
5 days ago
- General
- Kuwait Times
KEPS launches region's first women-focused climate action guide
Secretary-General of the Kuwait Environment Protection Society, Jenan Behzad KUWAIT: The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) on Saturday launched a groundbreaking publication titled 'Women's Guide to Climate Action and Shared Responsibility,' marking a significant step by civil society to empower women and strengthen their role in addressing the climate crisis. KEPS Secretary General and book supervisor Jenan Behzad said in a press statement that the guide is the first of its kind in the region. It offers a comprehensive look into women's contributions to environmental efforts, combining scientific insight, social analysis, and real-life experiences of pioneering Arab women in the fields of climate action and sustainable development. Behzad noted that the guide was prepared with contributions from 11 Arab female writers representing Kuwait, Egypt, Bahrain, the UAE, Tunisia, Lebanon and Iraq. The book is divided into five chapters, tackling key themes such as the impact of climate change on women, environmental and social responsibility, Arab women's leadership in climate initiatives, and a practical guide for applying sustainability principles at home. She emphasized that KEPS aims, through this publication, to enrich the Kuwaiti and Arab environmental library with knowledge resources that reflect climate challenges from a gender-based perspective. The guide also seeks to encourage women to take on active roles as essential partners in environmental protection. 'Women are vital actors in crafting solutions and driving transformations toward a sustainable future, drawing on their leading roles within families and across social and political spheres,' Behzad said. She added that the book was produced in response to the recommendations of a workshop titled 'Women between Climate Change and Sustainable Development,' held in cooperation with the National Association for Family Security. — KUNA
Arab Times
5 days ago
- General
- Arab Times
KEPS launches pioneering guide on women's role in climate action
KUWAIT CITY, July 5: The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) launched on Saturday a groundbreaking publication titled 'Women's Guide to Climate Action and Shared Responsibility,' marking a significant step in civil society's efforts to empower women and reinforce their role in addressing the global climate crisis. KEPS Secretary General and supervisor of the book, Jenan Behzad, described the guide as the first of its kind in the region. She said it offers a comprehensive exploration of women's contributions to environmental efforts, blending scientific insights, social perspectives, and the experiences of pioneering Arab women in the fields of climate action and sustainable development. Behzad noted that the guide was a collaborative effort, prepared with the participation of 11 Arab female contributors from Kuwait, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Iraq. The book is divided into five chapters that address key issues such as the impact of climate change on women, environmental and social responsibility, regional leadership by Arab women in climate action, and practical methods for implementing sustainability in daily life. According to Behzad, the publication aims to enrich both Kuwaiti and broader Arab environmental literature by offering knowledge that reflects climate challenges from a gender-based perspective. It is also intended to inspire women to take an active role as key partners in protecting the environment. 'Women are central to creating solutions and leading transformations toward a sustainable future,' she emphasized, pointing to their influential roles within families, communities, and decision-making bodies. The guide was developed in response to recommendations made during a recent workshop titled 'Women between Climate Change and Sustainable Development,' organized by KEPS in collaboration with the National Association for Family Security. The initiative underscores the vital link between gender empowerment and effective climate action in the Arab world.
Business Wire
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Centuri Appoints Behzad Kazerani Senior Vice President of Sales and Business Development, U.S. Gas and Special Projects
PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Centuri Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CTRI) ('Centuri' or the "Company"), a leading, North American utility infrastructure services company, today announced the appointment of Behzad Kazerani as Senior Vice President of Sales and Business Development for its U.S. Gas and Special Projects business. With more than 30 years of experience in sales and business development across energy infrastructure. Mr. Kazerani brings a wealth of industry knowledge and leadership to Centuri. In this new role, he will be responsible for driving a unified and strategic approach to sales and business development across Centuri's U.S. Gas operations. His efforts will focus on capturing additional market share, leveraging internal capabilities and insights, and building on Centuri's strong customer relationships, which average more than 24 years. Mr. Kazerani's career includes leadership roles at globally recognized energy services companies and consulting firms, including Petrofac, Wood (formerly Wood Group Mustang), and KBR. Most recently, he served as Chief Business Development Officer at EnerMech. His US and global experience and deep industry expertise are expected to bolster Centuri's growth and margin capture across US gas end markets. 'As demand for our service offerings accelerates in line with global energy demand, Behzad's appointment is instrumental to aligning Centuri's capabilities with market opportunities, ensuring we grow market share through strategic customer engagement, expanded reach, and by leveraging our full suite of capabilities to serve the entire energy value chain,' said Centuri US Gas President Dylan Hradek. 'Behzad's proven track record and strategic vision make him an ideal leader as we amplify the Company's focus on profitable growth.' Mr. Kazerani holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering. He is also a Chartered Civil Engineer, bringing both academic rigor and practical expertise to his new role. Learn more about Centuri's capabilities at About Centuri Centuri Holdings, Inc. is a strategic utility infrastructure services company that partners with regulated utilities to build and maintain the energy network that powers millions of homes and businesses across the United States and Canada. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements can often be identified by the use of words such as 'will,' 'predict,' 'continue,' 'forecast,' 'expect,' 'believe,' 'anticipate,' 'outlook,' 'could,' 'target,' 'project,' 'intend,' 'plan,' 'seek,' 'estimate,' 'should,' 'may' and 'assume,' as well as variations of such words and similar expressions referring to the future. Forward-looking statements could include (without limitation) statements regarding our confidence in our prospects to deliver value for our stockholders as an independent standalone company and our expectation to continue to build on our track record of delivering consistent growth by serving our customers across the utility value chain. A number of important factors affecting the business and financial results of Centuri could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in any forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, capital market risks and the impact of general economic or industry conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ also include (without limitation) those discussed in Centuri's filings filed from time to time with the SEC. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by Centuri on its website or otherwise. Centuri does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.
Arabian Post
06-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Deutsche Bank Charts Course Toward Digital Currency Integration
Deutsche Bank is actively assessing the viability of stablecoins and tokenized deposits, signalling a strategic shift towards digital finance. Sabih Behzad, the bank's Head of Digital Assets and Currencies Transformation, confirmed that the institution is considering issuing its own stablecoin or participating in a broader industry initiative. This exploration aligns with the bank's broader efforts to modernize its payment systems and embrace blockchain technology. Behzad noted the increasing momentum of stablecoins, particularly within regulatory environments that are becoming more supportive, especially in the United States. He outlined that banks have various options in engaging with the stablecoin industry, ranging from acting as reserve managers to issuing their own stablecoins, either independently or as part of a consortium. In addition to stablecoins, Deutsche Bank is delving into tokenized deposit solutions aimed at enhancing payment use cases. These solutions involve digitizing traditional bank deposits using blockchain technology, potentially streamlining transactions and reducing costs. The bank has already conducted experiments in this domain, collaborating with UBS to simulate tokenized deposit payments. These trials utilized the Bundesbank's Trigger Solution, enabling blockchain-based systems to link to the central bank's payment infrastructure, facilitating seamless interbank settlements. ADVERTISEMENT Deutsche Bank's initiatives are part of a broader industry trend toward embracing digital assets and blockchain technology. The bank is participating in various projects, including Project Agorá, which aims to improve cross-border payments using tokenized assets. These efforts reflect a growing recognition among financial institutions of the potential benefits of digital currencies and tokenization in enhancing efficiency and creating new business models. The bank's exploration of stablecoins and tokenized deposits also coincides with evolving regulatory landscapes. In the European Union, the Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation is shaping the framework for digital assets, while in the United States, proposed legislation like the STABLE Act and the GENIUS Act are focusing on transparency, fully backed reserves, and anti-money laundering compliance. These regulatory developments are influencing how banks approach digital currencies and related technologies. Behzad emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach to digital asset integration, highlighting the need for robust infrastructure encompassing issuance, trading, settlement, and custody. He pointed out that while tokenization offers significant opportunities, successful adoption requires 24/7 operations and advanced risk management, leveraging programmability and composability for maximum potential.
Gulf Insider
08-04-2025
- General
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait's Waste Crisis Among World's Worst
Kuwait is facing an escalating waste crisis that activists say demands immediate, systemic change. As one of the world's highest per capita producers of organic waste, estimated at 1.4 kilos per person per day, the country is grappling with the environmental, health, and economic toll of a growing mountain of solid, liquid, and gaseous waste. Environmental leaders warn that without radical, sustainable solutions, Kuwait's waste problem will continue to worsen. 'We need to convert waste into electrical energy,' said Jenan Behzad, Secretary-General of the Kuwait Environment Protection Society. She called for a comprehensive policy shift, from expanding recycling infrastructure to raising public awareness about waste reduction. According to Behzad, Kuwait's reliance on consumption-heavy lifestyles, weak recycling practices, and continued dependence on landfills have created an unsustainable trajectory. The country currently uses three primary landfill sites, Jahra, the Seventh Southern Ring Road, and Mina Abdullah, to manage household waste. However, plastic packaging from supermarkets and restaurants is fuelling a surge in plastic waste, now comprising nearly 80 per cent of floating marine debris, threatening coastal ecosystems. Food waste, she added, is particularly acute during religious and national holidays. A recent study by the Kuwait Environment Protection Society revealed that food waste can spike significantly during Ramadan, with edible items often discarded in excess. In the Gulf region overall, food waste constitutes around 50 percent of total waste, a staggering figure. To combat this, Behzad called for the use of waste-to-energy thermal conversion technology and methane harvesting from organic waste to generate power. She also suggested biofuel production from discarded food, citing successful examples in Germany and Sweden. 'Solid waste contributes to 2.4 per cent of Kuwait's total greenhouse gas emissions,' she noted, adding that recycling and energy recovery could not only reduce pollution but also diversify the country's energy sources. A key part of the solution, she argued, lies in mandatory household and commercial waste sorting. Separate bins for plastics, paper, metals, and organic waste would improve collection and recycling rates. Behzad also proposed establishing government-run sorting stations in every governorate, with the private sector playing a central role in waste collection, sorting, and investing in recycling ventures. Despite existing laws, enforcement remains weak. 'The Environmental Protection Law imposes fines of up to 500 Kuwaiti dinars for dumping waste in undesignated areas,' she explained. 'Yet 58 percent of those surveyed by our society said they were unaware of the law's details.' Engineer Alaa Hassan, CEO of the International Petroleum Services Company (PSCO), described the waste issue as 'a ticking time bomb.' She criticized the lack of serious planning and pointed to the accumulation of between 8 and 10 million damaged tires annually. These tires, often left in open areas, represent a major environmental hazard. 'We must hold illegal dumpers accountable,' she said, urging private sector engagement in converting waste into raw industrial materials. Environmental activist Barak Ramadan Al Hindal echoed the call for change, emphasizing the untapped financial and employment potential of the recycling sector. He called for a cultural shift in waste management, beginning in homes and schools, extending to offices and hospitals. 'Many countries around the world have transformed waste into opportunity,' Al Hindal said. 'Kuwait must follow suit if we are serious about building a sustainable future.' For now, environmentalists agree that time is running out. Without bold reforms and public buy-in, Kuwait's waste crisis threatens to outpace the systems designed to manage it, posing long-term risks to the country's environment, economy, and public health. Also read: Senior Kuwaiti Officials Monitor Raffle Draw Amid Fraud Concerns
