Arab Environment Future Challenges Report launched in Abu Dhabi

The report, compiled by independent experts, estimated that in the Arab region as a whole, the cost of environmental degradation is estimated at 5% of gross domestic product (GDP). The report also highlights that the governments of the region have failed in addressing these mounting economic costs with clear and effective policies.

However, the report praised the environmental work carried out in Abu Dhabi, describing the Abu Dhabi Emirate Environment Strategy 2009-2013, adopted by the Emirate, as a 'model' and called on Arab countries to follow this model. The report also praised the clean energy initiative 'Masdar,' which was launched by Abu Dhabi Government.

The ceremony, which was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), was organized jointly by EAD and AFED.

"The UAE has always shown a strong commitment to the environment. Abu Dhabi has led a comprehensive environmental renaissance that makes it a model for unique environmental initiatives. It all began with the Green Drive, adopted by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. And today, environmental initiatives continue under the guidance of H.H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE,"

said H.E. Mohammed Al Bowardi Secretary General of Abu Dhabi's Executive Council, Board Member of AFED and Managing Director of EAD.

"He said in the late 1960s, efforts were geared towards protecting the Arabian Oryx, which was on the verge of extinction, through a successful breeding programme. Today, EAD is embarking on an initiative to establish the largest protected area for the Arabian oryx and the gazelle. This indicates that we have been on the path of environmental conservation and championing it for around 50 years," added Mr. Al Bowardi.

"In 1977, efforts to breed houbara in captivity began with the aim of protecting it from extinction, replenishing its numbers in the wild and encouraging its sustainable use in Arab Falconry. And so through the various centers established in Abu Dhabi, Morocco and Kazakhstan, we have managed to help protect this important bird. Among these initiatives was the launch of Abu Dhabi Future Energy (Masdar) which came in response to a move toward resource conservation and alternative energy sector development and to implement projects and pilot applications in the field of clean technologies," he said.

"From here the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI), and the Arab Water Academy, and other initiatives were launched on the local, regional and international level through partnerships especially the United Nations Environment Program, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Wide Fund for Nature," he said.

"We always supported steps aimed at the dissemination of knowledge and invest these knowledge to improve Arab societies, and enhance cooperation with neighbor countries in various parts of the world," Al Bowardi added.

Al Bowardi said "In this context, Abu Dhabi has witnessed nearly two years ago, the launch of the Arab Forum for Environment and Development as a regional non-governmental organizations, bringing together civil society organizations and environment, education and information institutions to support environmental issues and sustainable development in the Arab world."

He said, "We were pleased once again to have the Forum back in Abu Dhabi to launch its first report on the Arab environment and the future challenges. We hope that this report will be one of the main tools to monitor the state of the environment and natural resources in the Arab world, and evaluate the current efforts of the Arab countries to achieve sustainable development and to find the optimal way to make use of the strengths and address weaknesses, so that we can catch up with the march of global progress."

"We must learn from the others experiences, not only to enable us to develop our human and material capabilities, but also to achieve our ambitions by developing in a way that maintain the balance of our societies and environment and preserve the purity of our heritage and values inherited from our ancestors," Al Bowardi added.

He concluded that, "Despite the magnitude of the pollution levels and environmental degradation in the Arab nation, we still have a chance to stop this deterioration, if we work now in the planning and implementation of development projects on a sustainable basis and in accordance with global best practices."

Mr. Najib Saab, AFED's Secretary General, presented a summary of the Arab Environment Future Challenges Report. He added that this policy-oriented report is designed to evaluate the progress made towards the realization of sustainable development goals and a good environmental quality. It also examines the Arab contribution to global environmental endeavours.

"Arab countries lose 5% of their GDP due to environmental degradation, which means that they are in a state of bankruptcy, as loss exceeds growth rates. 100 million Arab citizens live in poverty and lack basic needs and services. 65 millions among them are illiterate. And all try to share diminishing resources. 15 out of the 22 Arab countries are below the water poverty line," said Mr. Saab.

On the other hand, Saab pointed out that, "Millions of Arabs could achieve remarkable economic and social development during the last decades, mainly due to the increasing income from oil," and goes on to ask 'What was the cost, and could the present pace of development be sustained?.'

During the ceremony, a documentary entitled 'Arab Environment: Testimony of an Old Man' was screened. The documentary tracks changes in the region's environment over a century, as witnessed by a prominent environmental leader, Dr. Mohamed Kassas. Born in 1921 in an Egyptian village located at the tip of the Nile Delta, Dr. Kassas is a prominent authority on desert environments and has held senior positions including the presidency of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The 24-minute documentary starts from Kassas's birthplace, Burg El-Burullus, which is expected to be one of the first locations in the region to drown as a result of rising seas due to climate change. Through the life experience of Kassas, key issues facing the Arab countries are covered, such as population, urbanization, natural resources, water, marine environment, industrialization and air quality, waste and scientific research.

All attendees at the ceremony received a copy of the summary of the report and its recommendations and a copy of the documentary. The copies were provided with the support of EAD, which will continue to distribute the documentary among schools and other institutions to raise public awareness.