Arab Regulators for Telecommunications discuss environmental issues

The Assembly was addressed by two eminent experts Eng. Fareed Bushehri, Programme Offices from the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) based in Bahrain and Dr. Hossam Allam, Head of ICT for Development within the Centre for Environment & Development for the Arab Region & Europe (CEDARE).

Mr Bushehri in his address stated that 'The Arab region is the only region in the world which has not discussed the issue of sustainability. Policy and actions need to be taken by Regulators and in particular the Telecommunications Industry to reduce their Carbon Footprint and to Reduce, Re-Use, Recover and Re-Cycle materials in order to preserve non sustainable energy resources'.

Dr Allam drew to the attention of the Regulators the need for sound waste management in particular in respect to the recycling or disposal of mobile batteries which are classed as hazardous waste.

The Telecommunications Regulators agreed that it was essential to work closely with the authority in each country which is charged with environmental protection in order to ensure that the Telecommunications industry is aware of the global health and environmental standards.

Coordinated promotional activities should be undertaken after the appropriate standards are adopted.

Mr Alan Horne, General Director of the TRA, Bahrain and President of the Arab Network of Regulators (AREGNET) stated 'TRA Bahrain will consult further with CEDARE to undertake a study on the carbon footprint of TRA and review how such an exercise can be extended to other regulators in the Region.

Further it will be important to review not only how Licensed Operators in Bahrain are and can take further actions to reduce their own carbon footprint but also assist industry generally in establishing and meeting their own targets.

Balancing travel against the use of facilities such as video-conferencing and email can make a significant positive contribution to the protection of the environmental. Further full implementation of the Governments initiative on e-Government, e-Heath, e-Education as well as greater home working will all increasingly assist us protect our environment'.

The 2nd Day of the Plenary concluded with praise from the visiting delegations for the success of the Bahrain's Presidency and in particular the conclusion of the Plenary of 15 Arab Regulators on the proposed regulation to reduce roaming rates for mobile telephones.

Further it was agreed that the next Plenary in Tunisia in June should further review progress in such areas as Consumer Protection, Licensing as well as Environmental issues.