Abu Dhabi, Feb 06th, 2012 (WAM) The Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO), held an impressive function today to commemorate the 15th National Environment Day, which is being celebrated this year under the theme " The Living Desert".

The function, held at the companys Headquarters, was attended by Dr. Rashid bin Fahad, UAEs Minister of Environment & Water, Ase Elin Bjerke, Ambassador of Norway and Wolfgang Bruelhart, Ambassador of Switzerland. Also attending were senior executives from ADNOC and its Group of Companies, and a large number of ADMA-OPCO employees.

Dr Bin Fahd, after cutting the ribbon of an environmental exhibition organised as part of the celebration, said the UAE, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, was making a qualitative leap in building the federal system in a way that strengthens social welfare and boosts policies that govern HSE and natural resources management.

"This is being achieved through taking into consideration the environmental issues in the efforts aimed at achieving sustainable development and environmental security goals within the framework of the UAEs 2021 Vision," he added.

The minister commended ADMA-OPCOs environment and nature conservation efforts, stressing that the company is a pioneering institution with many valuable contributions to the environmental protection.

In his Keynote address, ADMA-OPCO Chief Executive Officer, Ali Rashid Al Jarwan, said, "the company was celebrating this important event in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Water, in response to the guidance of our countrys wise leadership, and under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE." Highlighting ADMA-OPCOs environmental contributions, Al Jarwan said the company had always shown serious commitments, represented in its environmental initiatives such as "Waste Minimization and Management", "Artificial Coral Reef Project", "Plastic Bag Reduction", and the recently launched "Paper Reduction Project".

Al Jarwan urged the employees to take an effective role in the environmental conservation efforts of the company.

The event also included speeches by the Ambassador of Switzerland and by Sultan Al Shamsi, Sustainability and Climate Change Team Leader, ADNOC-SPC.

Derek Hoare of Det Norske Veritas made a presentation titled: "Future Challenges: Technology Outlook 2020". His presentation was followed by an environmental play by Das Drama Group with a message to reduce paper use.

The last presenter was Abdul Muqeet Mannan, the 10 year old Indian schoolboy who recently received the Abu Dhabi Award for demonstrating commitment to saving the environment in Abu Dhabi and beyond.

The celebration concluded with an award ceremony where key players in environmental conservation from different segments of the society as well as from ADMA-OPCO were recognized.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2012.