UAE takes a stand against poverty

Dubai: On three days next month, people all over the world will literally stand up to draw the attention of world leaders to the plight of people living well below the poverty line.

The End Poverty 2015 Millennium Campaign aims to create awareness by getting people to literally stand up for a cause on October 17, 18 and 19.

This year, three days will be dedicated to beat last year's record which mobilised 43.7 million people in 127 countries.

In the UAE alone, 100,000 residents took part and pledged to do their bit to help end world poverty.

Under the patronage of UN Messenger of Peace Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, non-government organisations International Association for Human Values and Art of Living, are giving residents the chance to Stand Up and Speak out in October.

The United Nations Environment Programme, UN Development Programme and International Humanitarian City are officially supporting the campaign.

The focus of the UAE's campaign is to ensure environmental sustainability.

Princess Haya said: "This year, our 'Stand Up and Take Action' commitment is not only about mankind, it is also about our planet. Why? Because reducing poverty and achieving sustainable development must be done in conjunction with a healthy planet, and because climate change must be addressed as a humanitarian emergency, the 'environmental sustainability' goal is the focus of our campaign this year.".

All over the world people will stand up simultaneously to pledge to make sure leaders follow through on the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

The plan has eight points with measurable targets and deadlines to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and empower women, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health and develop a global partnership for development.

The Mission Green Earth encourages people to plant a tree to reach a target of a 100 million planted trees.

The International Association for Human Values encourages people to plant trees because they reduce global warming, protect biodiversity and promote a clean and green environment.

The challenge is to plant trees to address the issue of sustainable development in a realistic manner.

Environment: Plant the right tree

The star of the campaign is the Simarouba tree, which is also the most environment-friendly species to plant.

Most species of trees used for landscaping are neither endemic nor suited to local conditions. Growing such plants requires lots of water, fertilisers and pesticides.

According to the International Association for Human Values, trees such as the Iva imbricate, borrichia arborescens and the laguncularia racemosa use only a third of water required by the most commonly used species.