Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s environmental priorities that were spelt out by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan are yielding rich results, said an environmental expert in a lecture at the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) on Wednesday evening.
Dr Abu Bakr Hussain talked about the country’s extensive efforts in promoting environmental awareness and undertaking conservation measures, at the launch of his book titled ‘The Khalifa Bin Zayed Initiative: The Knight of Environment and Sustainability’.
Regarding from his book, Dr Hussain said, “I wanted to highlight the UAE’s strategy in achieving environmental security and sustainability.”
Dr Hussain, media adviser to the Shaikha Latifa Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award, said the UAE has “managed to turn its desert land into green oases and overcome all challenges, such as arid land, limited water resources and hot climate. [The country] has more than 10 nature reserves and sanctuaries hosting various extinct animals and plants.”
He commended the country for hosting important events such as Irena (International Renewable Energy Agency). “Hosting Irena in the UAE reassures the importance dedicated towards the environment,” he added. “The UAE’s efforts address the issue of climate change, through the implementation of comprehensive policies and initiatives to mitigate and adapt to climate change and protect environmental systems,” Dr Hussain pointed out.
In 2016, the UAE leadership expanded the role of the Ministry of Environment and Water to manage all aspects related to international and domestic climate change affairs.
Dr Hussain’s book is the first of a series of editions to be published.
“I’m currently working on publishing a series of books featuring updates and developments in the UAE’s environmental efforts,” Dr Hussain explained.
