September 27th, 2009 @ kadraoui // No Comments
July 16th, 2009 @ kadraoui // No Comments
Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa yeste day urged full international co-operation to face the financial crisis.
Speaking at the 15th summit of heads of state and government of the Non-Aligned Movement in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, he said the global economy is experiencing a “crisis of stagnation that will affect both current and future generations”.
However, he said that it is a good omen that Bahrain “has become a pioneer during this crisis in initiating its long-term economic vision for the year 2030, clearly aimed and targeted at raising living standards and increasing the income of Bahraini families, through the creation and nurturing of aspirations, improving education, training and healthcare, and transforming Bahrain into an international centre for trade and investment”.
Shaikh Salman urged non-aligned members to think together towards a new vision for the movement. “A vision deriving from the transformation and development of the contemporary political scene; a vision based on common economic interest, and systematic and scientific method; a vision which will establish a realistic programme for comprehensive sustainable economic and social development; and a vision which can provide us with the ability to solve international crises, whether economic or financial, through international co operation under international law as embodied in the United Nations and the Security Council.”
He pointed out that the passing of 54 years since the establishment of the Non- Aligned Movement conferred special importance and a distinctive character on the work of the summit, different from pervious meetings.
“We are faced with issues of food security, desertification, climate change, natural disaster, financial crisis, political questions, nuclear weapons, and others, which increase day after day. The only solace we have is our belief in our ability and determination to face, overcome, and find solutions to those issues.”
June 21st, 2009 @ kadraoui // No Comments
BAHRAIN should set up a climate change think-tank to help shape its national environment policy, says a top government official. The mandate of the task force would be to explicitly set out the trade-off between environmental protection and economic development, said Foreign Ministry bilateral relations director Ambassador Dr Dhafer Alumran. The think-tank would determine public consensus on the appropriate balance and use it to inform government policy in drafting legislations, rules and regulations. Dr Alumran was speaking at a one-day environment conference at the Banyan Tree Desert Spa and Resort, Al Areen, yesterday.
“The panel will review evidence on environment challenges, raise awareness, consult and make detailed policy recommendations in all areas affected by e n v i r o n m e n t issues,” he said. “It might also address issues such as urban planning, disaster management and construction standards. ”Dr Alumran suggested the committee be represented by the government, private sector, academic experts and civil society and chaired by Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife president Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa. He said according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report 2007 small island states were vulnerable to storm surges, erosion and threats to vital infrastructure, settlements and facilities.
Dr Alumran had highlighted the implications of climate change on Bahrain in a paper he authored in 1991. He said environment concerns were at the heart of Bahrain’s Vision 2030, adding that the country should step up its international efforts to address climate issues.
The forum, ‘Environmental Protection, Water and Power Conservation – Critical Challenges, Solutions and Opportunities’, was held under the patronage of Shaikh Abdulla. Key speakers included commission director general Dr Adel Al Zayani, Royal Charity Organisation general-secretary Dr Mustafa Al Sayed and Bapco chief executive Abdulkarim Al Sayed.
Dr Al Zayani said Bahrain’s limited natural resources were under pressure mainly due to population growth, industrialization and urbanisation. He said the commission had developed the Bahrain National Environmental Strategy, which highlighted the methods, strategy and action plans for environment management in accordance with Bahrain’s Vision 2030. He said Bahrain’s environment policy was based on the precautionary principle, the polluterpays principle, the sustainability concept and the concept of shared responsibility. United Nations Environment Programme regional office for West Asia deputy regional director Dr Basel Al Yousfi said a major concern was water scarcity and most of the region was under the water poverty line. “Before we start our projects it is vital to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment. We need full accounting and we may find that the projects we develop may not be as cost effective as we think.”
Dr Al Sayed said it was everyone’s responsibility to protect the environment and each person could help by recycling, reducing energy consumption and reporting environment violations. All sectors could play a role in educating the public, conducting environment research and involving members or employees in projects such as beach clean-ups, he said.
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