Dubai School of Government hosts discussion on World Bank's development and climate change report

Bucknall was speaking at a gathering of leading businessmen, academics, government officials, media representatives and researchers, hosted by the Dubai School of Government, in partnership with the World Bank and the Dubai Press Club. The meeting discussed the World Bank's 'Development Report 2010: Development and Climate Change', released ahead of the scheduled December meetings on climate change in Copenhagen.

"If developed countries act now, a 'climate-smart' world is feasible, and the costs for getting there will be high but still manageable. A key way to do this is by ramping up funding for mitigation in developing countries, where most future growth in emissions will occur,"

Bucknall said.

Echoing comments made by World Bank President, Robert B Zoellick, Bucknall said that an equitable deal in Copenhagen is vital as developing countries are disproportionately affected by climate change and least prepared to deal with the impact of global warming.

Dr. Tarik Yousef, Dean of the Dubai School of Government, said: "With the world coming together to fight climate change, considerable awareness has been raised in recent years among various tiers of stakeholders that has led to increased focus on working toward a 'climate-smart' world. We at the Dubai School of Government are proud to host this lecture, which contributes to efforts to prevent further environmental degradation."

Maryam bin Fahed, Executive Director of Dubai Press Club, said: "The World Bank is playing an active role and the Dubai Press Club acts as a dialogue platform in the region through hosting and organizing events that relate to the local and international media in collaboration with leading local, regional and global establishments."

"Climate change is one of the most pressing issues that need continuous support from the media in order to influence the decision makers and senior officials into taking the necessary measures to tackle its consequences," she added.

At the World Bank, Bucknall works on water management, infrastructure investments, and irrigation in the Middle East and North Africa. She was the lead author of a flagship publication on water in the region, 'Making the Most of Scarcity'. Over the past 15 years, she has worked on water investment projects and analytical work in North Africa, Central Asia, Central Europe, Cambodia and Central America.

The Dubai School of Government (DSG) is a research and teaching institution focusing on public policy in the Arab world. Established in 2005 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in cooperation with the Harvard Kennedy School, DSG aims to promote good governance through enhancing the region's capacity for effective public policy.

This lecture is also part of a series of workshops and conferences organized by the Dubai Press Club round the year. These events put senior officials, decision makers, academics and professionals from across the region and beyond in dialogue with journalists on important political, social and economic issues of concern to the public.

Toward this goal, the Dubai School of Government collaborates with regional and global institutions in delivering its research and training programmes. In addition, the School organizes policy forums and international conferences to facilitate the exchange of ideas and promote critical debate on public policy in the Arab world.