Global Environmental Outlook Report to be launched in Abu Dhabi

The Report has been published in English and is the fourth in a series, hence the name: GEO-4. Published every five years, the Report analyzes environmental change, causes, impacts, and policy responses. It also provides useful information for decision-makers and raises awareness on the region's environmental issues, at the same time providing options for action.

UNEP will be launching the GEO-4 Report in 27 cities around the world concurrently within 48 hours starting on October 25, 2007. In West Asia, the report will be launched in Abu Dhabi on October 25, in Beirut, Lebanon on October 26 and in Damascus, Syria on October 28. The Abu Dhabi launch is expected to be the biggest in the region with around 100 people expected to attend.

On the day of the launch, EAD, as an active Collaborating Centre in the West Asia region, will be organizing, on behalf of UNEP, a Seminar entitled "Back to Our Common Future." The Seminar will only be open to selected policy makers, NGOs, academia and members of the media.

It will provide a forum for key stakeholders to engage in an in-depth dialogue on the successes and failures of policy in mitigating environmental pressures. Participants will also discuss the progress towards achieving the recommendations of Our Common Future. Moreover, the Seminar will highlight specific issues of interest to the West Asia region to catalyze action at that level. Other similar seminars will be held in Washington DC; Bangkok, Thailand; Nairobi, Kenya; Panama City, Panama and; London, UK.

An English copy of the GEO-4 Report, among other material, will be available for distribution at the launch, as well as an Executive Summary in both English and Arabic.