Sustainable Development Conference opened

The Conference is being organized by World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD) in collaboration with Ahlia University, at Crown Plaza Bahrain.

Welcoming the distinguished delegates and audience, Prof. Abdulla Y. Al-Hawaj, President, Ahlia University, said:

"The patronage by HRH The Prime Minister and the support given by the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the conference indicates the importance, care and encouragement given to global issues like sustainable development. This international conference shows that Bahrain is becoming a hub for intellectual activities. Scholars are able to converge on Bahrain to debate and discuss global and vital issues that affect humanity making Bahrain the nodal point for such discussions both regionally and internationally."

Prof. Abdulla Y. Al-Hawaj while recalling the history on the concept of sustainable development said that an understanding about the importance of sustainable development is needed at all fronts including political, social and environmental ones. He further added that the current economic crisis though has created problems in both the developed and developing countries, still it is imperative to closely work on sustainable development to ensure prosperity for all the peoples of the world.

Dr. Allam Ahmed, President, WASD and conference Chair, while initiating the discussions explained about the purpose of WASD in the context of sustainable development at the global level. He put forward the challenges facing the world and emphasized on the need for percolating knowledge across the peoples of the world to participate in creating sustainable development. He thanked all the participants in the conference and praised Ahlia University for its commitment and support in successfully organizing the conference in Bahrain.

Prof. Amer Al Roubaie, Dean, College of Business and Finance and Co-Chair of the conference, while welcoming the delegates from across the world, told that both the developed and developing nations should show urgency in tackling the problem of unsustainable development threatening the world. He cautioned on the fast degradation of the environment imposed by indiscriminate development without paying heed to the fast depleting natural resources.

He said that immediate attention needs to be paid in transferring knowledge, information and skills to all the peoples of the world to ensure that sustainable development becomes the basis for living in future.

Prof. Abdulla Y. Al-Hawaj, thanked the organizers of this conference, WASD and Prof. Allam Ahmed, particularly for his initiative to bring the conference of immense importance to Bahrain.

He also thanked the Conference sponsors: National Bank of Bahrain, Batelco and Ithmaar Bank. Professor Al Hawaj praised the efforts made by the organizing committees especially Prof. Amer Roubaie and Mr. Ali Sahwan, Ahlia University.