04 November 2008
MUSCAT -- The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) regional office, West Asia, began here yesterday its 8th Regional Civil Society Consultation meeting in preparation for the 10th Global Civil Society Forum. The two-day event began under the auspices of Mohammed bin Khamis al Araimi, Under-Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA). In their address, Mohammed bin Abdullah al Muharrami, Director-General, Environment, at the ministry, and Dr Abdul Aziz al Jabouri, Regional Representative, Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISECO), underscored the importance of civil society organisations' role in promoting environmental quality.
In his welcome remarks, Dr Habib El Habr, Director and Regional Representative of UNEP, said "this is a good forum for civil society organisations to voice their concerns on climate change and its challenges in the region". The Regional Civil Society Meeting is one of six regional forums organised by the UNEP to prepare for the Tenth Global Civil Society Forum (10th GCSF) which will convene on February 13, 2009 prior to the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environmental Forum (GC/GMEF), taking place between February 16 and 20, 2009, in Nairobi. Thirty representatives from various non-governmental organisations, consultation groups and experts from the region are participating in the meeting.
The meeting provides a unique opportunity for civil society at the regional level to air its views on climate change and its challenges in the region, management of chemicals and mercury, and globalisation and its impact on the environment. Experts say the Arab world with a combined population of 325 million people in 23 countries can voice its concerns and impact the global climate change debate and policies. The objective of the Global Civil Society forum is to provide a platform for exchange and consultation among civil society on key environmental issues to be addressed by the member states.
UNEP officials said they are grateful to the Origin Oman campaign, a new government initiative to promote and support local products and services. The campaign aims to encourage consumers, businesses and institutional buyers to think, buy and eat local. Not only does it help every resident promote Oman's products and services, but also create employment opportunities and reduce carbon emissions by reducing imports.
MUSCAT -- The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) regional office, West Asia, began here yesterday its 8th Regional Civil Society Consultation meeting in preparation for the 10th Global Civil Society Forum. The two-day event began under the auspices of Mohammed bin Khamis al Araimi, Under-Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA). In their address, Mohammed bin Abdullah al Muharrami, Director-General, Environment, at the ministry, and Dr Abdul Aziz al Jabouri, Regional Representative, Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISECO), underscored the importance of civil society organisations' role in promoting environmental quality.
In his welcome remarks, Dr Habib El Habr, Director and Regional Representative of UNEP, said "this is a good forum for civil society organisations to voice their concerns on climate change and its challenges in the region". The Regional Civil Society Meeting is one of six regional forums organised by the UNEP to prepare for the Tenth Global Civil Society Forum (10th GCSF) which will convene on February 13, 2009 prior to the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environmental Forum (GC/GMEF), taking place between February 16 and 20, 2009, in Nairobi. Thirty representatives from various non-governmental organisations, consultation groups and experts from the region are participating in the meeting.
The meeting provides a unique opportunity for civil society at the regional level to air its views on climate change and its challenges in the region, management of chemicals and mercury, and globalisation and its impact on the environment. Experts say the Arab world with a combined population of 325 million people in 23 countries can voice its concerns and impact the global climate change debate and policies. The objective of the Global Civil Society forum is to provide a platform for exchange and consultation among civil society on key environmental issues to be addressed by the member states.
UNEP officials said they are grateful to the Origin Oman campaign, a new government initiative to promote and support local products and services. The campaign aims to encourage consumers, businesses and institutional buyers to think, buy and eat local. Not only does it help every resident promote Oman's products and services, but also create employment opportunities and reduce carbon emissions by reducing imports.
By Hasan Kamoonpuri
© Oman Daily Observer 2008
