'Clean UP Arabia' campaign attracts record number of participants

The Clean UP Arabia campaign aims to make beaches and dive sites in the UAE, on the east and west coast, clean by removing and recycling the rubbish that is spoiling them. The focus areas are Fujairah, Khor Fakkan, Dubai, Ras Al Khaima and Abu Dhabi.

According to Mr. Ibrahim Al Zu'bi, Director of the Emirates Diving Group, "Clean up Arabia is a superb initiative that has gathered a lot of momentum over the years as the general public is increasingly realizing the importance of keeping our waters and shores clean."

Al Zu'bi added, "We are very humbled by the fact that we managed to attract 470 people from 4 GCC countries to participate in this cause. Obviously none of this would have materialized had companies such as Majid Al Futtaim Group not supported our cause. We're very grateful to them and to everyone else who have helped us over the years."

For his part, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Group, Mr. Francois De Montaudouin said,

"With the general population of the UAE growing at such a fast pace, there has been some concern that our surroundings are getting polluted. The Majid Al Futtaim Group felt there is a growing need to contribute to the preservation of our precious environment. When the Emirates Diving Association told us about the 'Clean up Arabia' initiative, we saw it as an ideal platform for us to start our campaign. I'm glad to say that this is the fourth year that the group has sponsored this activity and we look forward to many more years to come."

Now, in its 11th year, the Clean Up Arabia campaign is being organized by the UAE-based Emirates Diving Association (EDA) in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme - Regional Office of West Asia (UNEP - ROWA).

The campaign is also backed by both the Australian 'Clean Up the World,' campaign and the US-based 'International Coastal Cleanup' and PADI PROJECT A.W.A.R.E.