April
14, 2014
The UAE has been
showing a great interest in environmental issues since its
establishment in 1971. The state has seen great efforts and a
developmental renaissance in the environmental field made possible
through institutional and legislative enhancements and the
implementation of an integrated and broad set of actions and measures
based on the adoption of technical solutions and innovations and key
development policies.
As part of its
continuing mission to build a sustainable future for the present and
future generations, MoEW is participating in the 16th Water, Energy,
Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX 2014). This comes in
line with the UAE's commitment towards fostering a ‘Green Economy’
as a sustainable development path towards achieving the ‘UAE Green
Growth Strategy.’
During the first day
of the exhibition, the Ministry's team showcased the UAE’s efforts
to conserve the environment since its first participation in the UN
Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm in 1972 and the
establishment of MoEW in 2006. The Ministry also presented its
current green programs that have been undertaken after its first
initiative, ‘UAE Ecological Footprint (2007),’ and the more
recent launching of the first ‘Global Conference on Partnership for
Action on Green economy (PAGE 2014). It showcased various green
activities being implemented by local government and semi-government
entities as well.
Eng. Aisha Al
Abdooli, Assistant Undersecretary of Environmental Affairs, UAE
Ministry of Environment and Water, said: “Our participation in this
event complements the national commitment towards building and
developing a sustainable environment and applying innovative
solutions for its protection in line with the strategic directions of
the UAE Government. The MoEW will use this exhibition as a platform
for presenting our ongoing efforts to enhance the sustainability of
our local natural resources, maintain a reliable food supply, and
promote biosecurity.”
Eng. Al Abdooli
added that the MoEW has been focusing on supporting the UAE Green
Growth Strategy' which aims to establish a new stage of development
based on eco-oriented long-term economic growth. This, she explained,
is being achieved through investments in various solutions and
options, a number of which have been adopted in previous years, and
continuously improving their effectiveness. She particularly pointed
out to renewable and alternative energy, green architecture,
sustainable transport, cleaner production, and efficient and proper
consumption of natural resources as key development areas.
Eng. Al Abdooli
further clarified that MoEW’s support for the UAE Green Growth
Strategy reflects the country's intensive efforts to build a
diversified economy based on knowledge and innovation from which
distinctive job opportunities can be created as part of the UAE
Vision 2021 development plan.
She also explained
that the Strategy has six strategic paths that cover various
economic, social and environmental aspects: Green Energy Green
Technology, Green Investment, Climate Change, Green Life, and Green
Cities. Eng. Al Abdooli concluded that the UAE Green Growth Strategy
builds on sound environmental practices to support economic growth,
thus making it a strategic umbrella covering all activities related
to a green economy.
