Shell endorses 1st Muscat Youth Summit

Commenting on the event, His Highness Sayyid Faisal Al Said, CEO, BOMU said:

"The 1st Muscat Youth Summit is an important gathering of young people and an opportunity for them to discuss and prepare their positions surrounding a number of key environmental and development issues but it is more than that. It is a gathering of the generation that will shape tomorrow's world and we're delighted to welcome Shell as a partner in that process."

Mr. Hilal bin Yahya Al Mawali, External Affairs Manager, Shell Development Oman said: "We're delighted to be associated with this unique initiative through organizing the Energy Dialogue during the Summit. The Dialogue aims to address challenges facing future generations, and create awareness about possible ways of reducing environmental impact and the efficient use of energy."

He went on to add: "In order to encourage the youth to take an active role in energy conservation we're committed to supporting local communities and believe that by contributing to the 1st Muscat Youth Summit we can further the international outlook of young Omanis and develop their passion for the environment and sustainability."

Aimed at 14 - 21 year-olds and scheduled to be held 7 - 9 December at Al Nahda Spa & Resort - the Summit is Oman's biggest-ever youth gathering on climate change, sustainability, urban development, innovation and entrepreneurship with 200 students from countries around the world in attendance.

It is estimated that there are three billion young people alive today and many are concerned about rising sea levels, the flooding of coastal areas and whether the Amazon will remain the lungs of the planet or become an increasingly dried-up and disappearing ecosystem. "It's these issues, and issues like these, that the Shell team will be exploring with Summit participants," remarked Sayyid Faisal.

BOMU's Alya Al Hosni and Summit co-ordinator commented: "Today's youth are our biggest allies in the fight against climate change and global warming, and by staking their claim to a low-carbon, resource-efficient, environmentally-sustainable future, they're reminding the world that they have the greatest stake in the creation of tomorrow's green economy. Shell isn't just endorsing the event they're also playing a key role in leading the Summit's session on the environment and climate change."

Al Hosni went on to suggest that the idea that there is a choice to be made between economic development and the environment is a false one. Adding: "A healthy and thriving natural environment is fundamental to the global economy and our collective wellbeing."