Two UAE cities win environmental awareness awards

The UAE scored a double in the environmental awareness category in a contest organised by the Pan-Arab Cities Organisation as Abu Dhabi city came first and Sharjah city second. The award to Sharjah was presented by Ali bin Mohammed Al Khatir, Qatari Minister of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture, to Ahmed Mohammed Fikri, Director-General of Sharjah Municipality, at a ceremony in Doha yesterday.

"I present this award to His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, who has provided endless support to protect the environment in the emirate and other parts of the Arab world," Fikri said following the award ceremony.

Talmasan, Algeria, won third prize in this category. Doha won first prize in the environmental safety category. Dr Saleh Mohammed Al Mazini of Kuwait and Dr Majdi Tawfiq Khalil of Egypt shared third prize in the environmental activist category. The first and second awards were withheld.