Dubal's environmental initiatives under the spotlight in Manama

The event, held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Khalifa (President of the General Commission for Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife Protection in Bahrain), took place in Manama, Bahrain, on 26 and 27 October 2008.

The focus fell on DUBAL when Abdulmunim Bin Brek (General Manager Engineering, Expansions and EHS: DUBAL) conducted an extensive workshop during AFED, entitled "Aluminium Smelter Solid Waste Treatment" - with a particular focus on Spent Pot Lining ("SPL"). The workshop was attended by a number of smelter heads in the Arab world, including a delegation from Aluminium Bahrain ("Alba") and Sohar Aluminium.

Indeed, the delegates to the pioneering conference included a large number of senior officials and major decision-makers from both the public and private sectors, in addition to substantial representation from international and regional organisations, all of whom are highly concerned with environmental and development issues in the region. Academics, civil societies and members of the media also attended the event.

Khalid Essa Buhumaid (Vice President: Corporate Relations & International Affairs, and the official spokesman of DUBAL) also represented DUBAL at the two-day event.

Several environmental issues were addressed, with topics including environmental sustainability in the Arab world, Arab human development, consumer habits, production and the response towards environmental treaties, urbanization and the environmental impacts of wars and conflicts. The various effects of desertification and air quality on marine life also came under the magnifying glass; as did environmental awareness, financing educational programs, environmental legislation and media coverage of environmental issues. In addition, the safety of bio-technology products, waste management, the environmental impact of pesticides and fertilisers, food security and the effects of climate change and global warming on the Arab countries were discussed in depth.

A line-up of high-level speakers ensured the credibility of conference material, including representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme ("UNEP"), the OPEC Fund for International Development ("OFID"), Global Environment Facility ("GEF"), the Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate Change in Cairo, Petrofac Services and various Youth organisations.

During the workshop, Bin Brek discussed several environmental issues and stated that: "Our vision in Dubal is to create an Environment Health and Safety culture that leads to no harm to people and the environment" he added, "Waste is an important part of environmental management and DUBAL is committed to finding international best practices and solutions,", "DUBAL is already separating waste at source and looks at every possibility to minimise waste in the process. Some of the waste are recovered and recycled internally; and other portions are sent to offsite facilities locally and internationally for reprocessing and recycling. We are also investigating various options for the SPL."

Bin Brek added that DUBAL has placed high priority on environment, health and safety management since its inception in 1979. In keeping with this commitment, the company regularly organises internal EHS campaigns; and works alongside major international companies and prominent local players in the EHS field.

This comes in light to the wise guidance of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and Chairman of DUBAL.