Gulf Daily News – July 14, 2008
Future environment challenges in the Arab region will be discussed at a major conference to be held in Bahrain in October. Climate change, energy efficiency, water management and environment policies are some of the topics to be addressed during the two-day event. The First Annual Assembly of the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) is being held in collaboration with Alba on October 26 and 27. It will be held under the patronage of Southern Governor and Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife president Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Under the theme Arab Environment: Future Challenges, the conference will address questions such as:
* How is Arab economic growth affecting the environment?
* Are people in the region sufficiently aware of environmental trends and global policy issues and alternatives?
* Do Arab countries have clear policies on environment? What is missing?
* How could environmental policies be integrated into economic growth and social development?
* Do corporations and major industries understand their responsibilities?
* What can be done to contribute to a safer environment and sustainable growth?
* Are there business opportunities in protecting the environment?
For the first time, a comprehensive independent expert report on Arab environment will be released for public debate during the event. The ground-breaking report, entitled
Arab Environment: Future Challenges, has been commissioned by AFED, and written by some of the most prominent Arab experts, under the leadership of Dr Mostafa Kamal Tolba, an international environmental pioneer and former executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme. Beyond appraising the state of the environment, based on the most recent data, the policy-oriented report also evaluates the progress towards the realisation of sustainable development targets, assesses current policies and examines Arab contribution to global environmental endeavours.
Ultimately, the report proposes alternative policies and remedial action. The report's 18 chapters have been prepared by top environmental experts, who will set the stage for a comprehensive debate on the state of the environment in the Arab world. Alongside AFED members, the assembly will be open to all major stakeholders: private and public sectors, policy makers, international and regional institutions, academia, civil society and media.
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