Environment challenges facing Arab countries on the rise, warns report

Abu Dhabi: The Arab Environment Future Challenges Report, presented by the Arab Forum for Environmental Development (AFED) in a ceremony on Thursday, warned that the challenges facing Arab countries, especially fresh water scarcity, desertification, air quality and marine pollution, will grow because of climate change.

The report, compiled by independent experts, estimated that in the Arab region as a whole, the cost of environmental degradation is estimated at five per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). The report also highlights that the governments of the region have failed in addressing these mounting economic costs with clear and effective policies.

However, the report praised the environmental work carried out in Abu Dhabi, describing the Abu Dhabi Emirate Environment Strategy 2009-2013, adopted by the emirate, as a "model" and called on Arab countries to follow this model. The report also praised the clean energy initiative 'Masdar', which was launched by Abu Dhabi Government.

The ceremony, which was held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), was organised jointly by EAD and AFED.

Najib Sa'ab, AFED's Secretary General, presented a summary of the Arab Environment Future Challenges Report. He said this policy-oriented report is designed to evaluate the progress made towards the realization of sustainable development goals and a good environmental quality.

It also examines the Arab contribution to global environmental endeavours.