Safeguarding coastal zones in spotlight

Dubai: International experts discussed for the fourth consecutive day best practices in safeguarding coastal zones under threat, as the coastal region assumes more significance.

Participants of the seventh International Conference on Coastal and Ports Engineering in Developing Countries are set to conclude their discussions today.

"Worldwide, there has been a mass migration to the coastal zone. Now more than half the world's population lives within 60km of a coastline," Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Eisa Al Maidoor said.

He also observed that around 70 per cent of the world's coastlines are now threatened by beach erosion. This situation applies also to the Middle East, most especially the Arabian Gulf, Al Maidoor added.