UAE hosts International Environmental Committee for the first time in the region

Dubai: The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority is hosting the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP), part of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and representatives from over 46 states and organisations headed to Dubai to take part in deliberations on global environmental issues. Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General, GCAA, said that hosting the CAEP meeting in the UAE constitutes a historical event, as it is the first time in CAEP's 30-year history that a meeting has been held in the MENA region. It also reflects the UAE's leadership at this environmental level. The opening address was given by Omar bin Ghaleb, Deputy Director-General, GCAA. Bin Ghaleb reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to advance environmental discussions and provide the on-going CAEP meeting with any kind of support that is needed. The CAEP meeting will last for 5 days, during which a list of recommendations will be drafted at the end of the sessions. Laila Ali Hareb Al Muhairi, Assistant Director-General, said that UAE's collaborative efforts on the environmental issues allowed it to score a seat as an observer member on the committee. Maryam Al Belooshi, Environment Studies Manager at GCAA and UAE representative to CAEP, highlighted the importance of this meeting as it comes directly after ICAO's General Assembly meeting which came out with key conclusions and recommendations on the environment. CAEP, which is the advisory entity for the council, is expected to carry out these conclusions and work on future recommendations for the next assembly. The last ICAO Assembly witnessed the UAE winning a seat on the ICAO Council with the highest number of votes. – Emirates News Agency, WAM