MaximsNews WATER

UNITED NATIONS - / MaximsNews Network / 7 August 2008 -- At a recent press conference, the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) announced the scheduling of its first annual conference “Arab Environment 2008”. The conference program will take place in the Kingdom of Bahrain at the end of October (26-27th).

Arab Environment 2008 will be under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, President of the General Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife in Bahrain.

It is being supported by one of the largest and most environmentally friendly aluminum smelters in the world, Aluminum Bahrain (Alba) who have partnered with AFED to host the event.

Mr. Najib Saab, Secretary General of AFED, noted that the participants at the October conference will debate the “Arab Environment: Future Challenges” report which is the first comprehensive, independent expert report produced that specifically focuses on the state of the Arab environment.

Commissioned by AFED, it was written via the contributions of some eighteen experts in the environmental arena. The report project was spearheaded by Dr. Mostafa Kamal Tolba – a former executive director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

The policy-oriented report evaluates the progress toward the realization of sustainable development targets, assesses current policies, and examines the Arab contribution to global environment endeavors. The report proposes alternative policies and remedial action.

The report covers the topics of integrating environment in development planning, consumption and production patterns, the quality of water, air, marine life, lands and forests, in addition to waste management, food safety, climate change, biological safety education, awareness and laws.

The opening session of the conference will be specifically dedicated to announcing the findings and recommendations of the report. Subsequent sessions will include high-level panelists and other key stakeholders debating environmental policy issues.

The opening session will also include a broadcasting of a documentary on the state of the Arab environmental conditions. Produced by AFED, the title of the documentary is “Arab Environmental Testimony”.

In addition to AFED members, the October conference will be open to all major stakeholders including private and public sectors, policy makers, international and regional institutions, academia, civil society and media.

One of the main goals of AFED - to bring together all major parties and engage them in a meaningful debate about better environmental management solutions for achieving sustainable development.

The October conference is supported by OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and the United Nations Environment Program(UNEP). Alba is the main sponsor of the conference which is co-sponsored by Petrofac, Amsi, Alturki Environmental, Kharafi National, GE, Ford, Aramex, Promoseven Weber Shandwick and a host of media partners.

Labels: United Nations, U.N., MaximsNews WATER, Middle East, Arab Environment 2008, Bahrain, Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Aluminum Bahrain, Alba, AFED, Najib Saab, Arab Environment, Future Challenges, Mostafa Kamal Tolba, United Nations Environment Program, UNEP, Arab Environmental Testimony, OPEC Fund for International Development, OFID

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