These are some of the topics on the agenda of the First Annual Assembly of the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED), scheduled for 26-27 October 2008 in Manama, capital of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

For the first time, a comprehensive independent expert report on Arab environment will be released for public debate. Entitled Arab Environment: Future Challenges, the ground-breaking report has been commissioned by AFED, and written by some of the most prominent Arab experts, under the leadership of Dr. Mostafa Kamal Tolba, the renowned international environmental pioneer and former Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Beyond appraising the state of the environment, based on the most recent data, the policy-oriented report also evaluates the progress towards the realization of sustainable development targets, assesses current policies and examines Arab contribution to global environmental endeavors. Ultimately, the report proposes alternative policies and remedial action.

The Report’s 18 chapters have been prepared by top environmental experts, who will set the stage for a comprehensive debate on the state of the environment in the Arab world, by presenting their main findings and policy recommendations.

Alongside AFED members, the Assembly will be open to all major stakeholders: private and public sectors, policy makers, international and regional institutions, academia, civil society and media all those who want to be part of the solution and not the problem.