Mohammed bin Rashid approves proposal for setting up pan-U.A.E. air quality network

Dubai (WAM): Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has approved a proposal to set up a U.A.E.-wide air quality network that will monitor standardised environmental data gathered from across the country. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed also gave directives for completing relevant studies on the proposal and preparing for launching it as a project in the near future. The proposal was approved during a brainstorming session organised by the Ministry of Environment and Water at the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation. His Highness said, "A healthy environment and clean air are among the good things the U.A.E. and its people deserve to be given by us. We have to race against time innovating more sustainable solutions." H.H. Sheikh Mohammed stressed that the preservation and protection of clean and safe environment are among his priorities that he personally follow up as they affect the health and life quality of society and therefore are above any other consideration. "My brother, President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is walking in the steps of the founding father of the nation, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in the field of environmental preservation, and contributes to international efforts to execute a strategy for green economy and a national strategy for green development, as well as the launching of giant projects that serve our people and all humanity and conserve natural resources." H.H. Sheikh Mohammed also noted the importance of the role of the private sector as a partner sharing this responsibility and supporting these environmental initiatives and projects aimed at achieving a pollution-free environment that preserves the health and safety of society. Urging government departments and experts to put forth feasible proposals, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed said, "This requires you to go to the field, interact with people and get a first-hand experience of the environmental challenges in order to find suitable solutions to them. We look forward to seeing an expansion of dialogue and your coming up with unprecedented ideas that encompass all environmental issues, the most important of which are U.A.E. citizens and our natural resources." His Highness asked that all concerned communicate with experts, identify the challenges and work to resolve any issues. Present at the brainstorming gathering were H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority, Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, Director-General of Dubai's Protocol Department, and other officials. Last year, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed gave directives to all federal government departments to embrace the experience of "Government Innovation Lab" as a standard practice in order to develop government services. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395270932449.html