02 February 2007
ABU DHABI: The Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) announced Thursday the launch of a work program during a news conference organized during the Environment 2007 conference and exhibition being held in Abu Dhabi.
The conference, kicked off by AFED Secretary General Najib Saab, is the first public proclamation of the regional forum after having gained the status of a regional non-governmental organization.
AFED is a pan-Arab civil society initiative grouping corporate leaders, NGOs, media and experts, as well as government agencies.
Head of the Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi Majed Mansouri conveyed the greetings of Mohammad Bawardi, the founding member of AFED's Board of Trustees and managing director of the agency.
Mansouri said he was grateful to AFED for launching its programs from the emirate, adding the Environment Agency would cooperate with the new NGO and support its projects, "as it is essential to join forces with all regional stakeholders in the sustainable development arena."
The director of environment and sustainable development at the Arab League, Fatima Al-Mallah, also sent AFED best wishes from League chief Amr Moussa.
She praised AFED's "unique structure, which allows for true partnership between the civil society and governments." She invited AFED to participate in the activities of the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment, expressing confidence the NGO would "provide a strong contribution to the Arab endeavors toward achieving sustainable development."
Addressing participants at the conference, Saad said he was pleased to be able to unveil the new AFED work program from Abu Dhabi, "the capital of Arab environment."
He expressed hope that AFED would succeed in "encouraging Arab businessmen and economic institutions to cooperate with efforts to open a common Arab market for environmentally friendly products, as well efforts to unify environmental measures.
AFED advocates the creation of links between Arab chambers of commerce and industry, as well as scientific research centers and educational institutions. The forum will further work to push governments to adopt envi-ronmental laws "in conformity with the nature of the problems prevailing in the Arab world, with an emphasis on put-ting legislations into effect."
Saab said AFED main service would be an annual report on the State of Arab Environment evaluating progress toward the realization of sustainable development goals and examining Arab contribution to global environmental endeavors.
The report will be discussed during an annual general-assembly grouping top representatives from "all active players" in the environment and sustainable development arena.
AFED also unveiled several other specialized programs covering: corporate environmental responsibility, including cleaner production, in cooperation with major Arab corporations; environmental awareness and information, in cooperation with regional media leaders; environmental education; environmental legislation; environmental governance; water-resources management; combating desertification; and waste management.
Saab invited all concerned stakeholders to join the new NGO in its efforts, saying that AFED membership "provides a platform through which members can reach a wider audience, in both the public and private sectors, while allowing networking and exchange of environmental knowledge and expertise." - The Daily Star
