Minister of Environment issues statement on Arab Environment Day

Abu Dhabi (WAM): Dr. Rashid Ahmad bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, has said that modern technologies play an important role in achieving sustainable development at the national and the international levels, and this role has grown despite the increasing environmental pressures and challenges faced by today's world. In a speech delivered on the occasion of Arab Environment Day, yesterday under the theme "The movement towards a more eco-friendly technology for a more sustainable development” he said that celebrating the day under the same banner for the second year in a row confirms the important role played by modern techniques. He also stated that the extent and speed to which environmental solutions are evolving in response to pressures and challenges will lead to further technical knowledge and innovation, the best way to mitigate obstacles, and better control of the associated negative effects. Dr. Rashid said, "Over the past few years we have seen a major global focus on the role of technology in achieving sustainable development. A "shift in technology" is one of the main demands in bridging the technological gap between developed and developing countries. The document titled "The Future Which We Aspire To" issued by the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio +20) emphasises the importance of technology in today’s world, and calls on the world’s governments to create enabling frameworks that encourage and introduce the idea of environmentally sound technology." He continued, "U.A.E. has been committed to bolstering its efforts to achieve sustainable development through technical solutions in line with its Vision 2021, which was inspired by the national action programme conceived by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The programme also highlights the strategy of becoming a more eco-friendly country as announced by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, under the slogan "A greener economy for a more sustainable development." Although the U.A.E. has made great strides in implementing eco-friendly techniques for energy, water, transport and the urban environment biodiversity, it is still in the process of enjoying the fruits of its labour in these and other key fields, according to him. He continued, "Building the country’s capabilities and potentials is one of the main pillars in guaranteeing the implementation of all techniques. The U.A.E. has focused heavily on this aspect through the development of the country’s educational system and the promotion of interest in scientific research and innovation at various levels in line with the national "U.A.E. Vision 2021" agenda which aims to groom the U.A.E. into one of the 20 best countries in the Global Innovation Index. The country has also been keen on adopting best practices, the latest being the "Government Creative Laboratory" which aims to come up with innovative and sustainable solutions to major national issues. Dr. Bin Fahd also pointed out that the U.A.E. has already chosen the theme of "A greener economy for better innovation and sustainability" for its National Environment Day celebrations to be held every February 4th over the next three years. He concluded by emphasising the attention given by the U.A.E. towards the stimulation of efforts from individuals and scientific centres to achieve sustainable development at the national and global levels and encouraging these parties to find innovative solutions to reduce the pressures, challenges and negative effects of environmental issues. This, he said, can be done through the establishment of a series of awards such as the Zayed International Prize for the Environment, the Zayed Future Energy Prize, the Sheikh Zayed Prize for Pioneering Innovations in Agriculture, the Mohammed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, the Emirates Appreciation Award for the Environment, and the Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport. . – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395270804875.html