AFED Report Presented in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi- May 7, 2009: The Arab Environment Future Challenges Report, presented by the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED), in a ceremony in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, warns that the challenges facing Arab countries especially fresh water scarcity, desertification, air quality and marine pollution will grow because of Climate Change implications.

The report, compiled by independent experts, estimated that in the Arab region as a whole, the cost of environmental degradation is estimated at 5 % of gross domestic product (GDP). The report also highlights that the governments of the region have failed in addressing these mounting economic costs with clear and effective policies.

However, the report commended the environmental work carried out in Abu Dhabi, describing the Abu Dhabi Emirate Environment Strategy 2009-2013, adopted by the Emirate, as a "model" and called on Arab countries to follow this model and praised the clean energy initiative ‘Masdar,' which was launched by Abu Dhabi Government.

The ceremony, which was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), was organized jointly by EAD and AFED.

"The UAE has always shown a strong commitment to the environment. Abu Dhabi has led a comprehensive environmental renaissance that makes it a model for unique environmental initiatives. It all began with the Green Drive, adopted by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. And today, environmental initiatives continue under the guidance of H.H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE", said H.E. Mohammed Al Bowardi Secretary General of Abu Dhabi's Executive Council, Board Member of AFED and Managing Director of EAD.

"We always supported steps aimed at the dissemination of knowledge and invest these knowledge to improve Arab societies, and enhance cooperation with neighbor countries in various parts of the world," he added.

Al Bowardi said "In this context, Abu Dhabi has witnessed nearly two years ago, the launch of the Arab Forum for Environment and Development as a regional non-governmental organizations, bringing together civil society organizations and environment, education and information institutions to support environmental issues and sustainable development in the Arab world".

He said, "We were pleased once again to have the Forum back in Abu Dhabi to  launch its first report on the Arab environment and the future challenges. We hope that this report will be one of the main tools to monitor the state of the environment and natural resources in the Arab world, and evaluate the current efforts of the Arab countries to achieve sustainable development and to find the optimal way to make use of the strengths and address weaknesses, so that we can catch up with the march of global progress.

"We must learn from the others experiences, not only to enable us to develop our human and material capabilities, but also to achieve our ambitions by developing in a way that maintain the balance of our societies and environment and preserve the purity of our heritage and values inherited from our ancestors" Al Bowardi added.

He concluded that "Despite the magnitude of the pollution levels and environmental degradation in the Arab nation, we still have a chance to stop this deterioration, if we work now in the planning and implementation of development projects on a sustainable basis and in accordance with global best practices."

Najib Saab, AFED's Secretary General, presented a summary of the Arab Environment Future Challenges Report. He added that this policy-oriented report is designed to evaluate the progress made towards the realization of sustainable development goals and a good environmental quality. It also examines the Arab contribution to global environmental endeavours.

"Arab countries lose 5% of their GDP due to environmental degradation, which means that they are in a state of bankruptcy, as loss exceeds growth rates. 100 million Arab citizens live in poverty and lack basic needs and services. 65 millions among them are illiterate. And all try to share diminishing resources. 15 out of the 22 Arab countries are below the water poverty line," said Mr. Saab.

On the other hand, Saab pointed out that "millions of Arabs could achieve remarkable economic and social development during the last decades, mainly due to the increasing income from oil" and goes on to ask "What was the cost, and could the present pace of development be sustained?"

All attendees at the ceremony received a copy of the summary of the report and its recommendations and a copy of the documentary. The copies were provided with the support of EAD, which will continue to distribute the documentary among schools and other institutions to raise public awareness.