Doha, Nov 20th, 2008 (WAM): UAE Minister of Environment and Water Dr. Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahd asserted that international cooperation constitutes a cornerstone of the country's policy.
Speaking at the Eighth Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, currently being held in the capital of Qatar, the minister also said that UAE is keen on playing an effective role in the international efforts to eliminate substances that deplete the Ozone Layer. The 20th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is running simultaneously in Doha. Bin Fahd heads UAE's official delegation to both the conferences. UAE has spent all efforts during the past years to fulfil the obligations defined by the Convention, and implement all resolutions adopted by the conferences of the parties to the Montreal Protocol, the minister said. Citing figures from official statistics, which proved UAE's steady progress towards the goals of the Convention, the minister said that the country worked on its own, without making use of the material support allocated for the programme. Bin Fahd also reviewed the legislations passed in UAE restricting import of substances which deplete the Ozone layer, and said that the competent authorities are continuing to monitor all the ports across the country to ensure that no violation is taking place in this regard. The two conferences will discuss a number of pertinent issues related to the protection of the ozone layer from depletion. The discussions will also focus on the replenishment of the multi-party fund allocated for financing project related to the elimination of substances that deplete the ozone layer for the period from 2009 to 2011. Over 150 countries are participating in the conferences with official delegations.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2008.
