EAD organizes workshop on environmental policies

It was inaugurated in Abu Dhabi today to identify ways to integrate environmental requirements into the policies of different sectors in the Emirate. Workshop participants will also aim to develop policies related to environmental issues and exchange information and standardization efforts to support Sustainable Development.

During this workshop, experiences in developing and implementing local development plans in the Emirate will be shared and participants will get the opportunity to listen to best international practices.

Experts in environmental policy development from the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand attended the workshop, in addition to representatives from local organizations such as the Center for Waste Management- Abu Dhabi, Department of Transportation, Urban Planning Council, Health Authority - Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority.

Dr. Jaber Al Jaberi, Director of EAD's Environment Policy Sector, said in his opening speech that the Abu Dhabi Policy Agenda was the starting point from which to build an institutional framework, that was characterized by a high degree of efficiency and coordination among all government sectors,
"The general policy of the Emirate also contains enough indicators that cover environmental, social and economic aspects," he noted.

He said that in line with Abu Dhabi Government's directives for it to adopt a more legislative role, EAD has adopted a number of initiatives. The first was to establish an Environmental Policies Sector, which coordinates closely with the General Secretariat of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council to develop environmental policies.

Al Jaberi noted that this workshop will help to determine the key issues that require environmental policies after analyzing gaps in existing policies through the creation of a mechanism for integration with other sectors, and a mechanism to develop these policies through the "Environmental Policies Guide", which will facilitate the process of preparing, evaluating and monitoring the implementation of these policies.

"Through this workshop, we will all be able to assess the gaps in our current environmental policies and determine the best way forward,"

Al Jaberi concluded.