The UAE's achievements in protection of the environment and wildlife have been praised on the occasion of the fourth UAE National Environment Day.

The praise came from Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Chairman of the Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency (ERWDA), whose remarks were made in a statement issued to mark the UAE's fourth National Environment Day, which is being held this year under the theme "Development and Environment Integration not Collision."

Sheikh Hamdan said that the theme of the conference underlines the UAE's concern about achieving a balance between development and environmental protection in order to achieve sustainable development.

He added that the Environment 2001 Conference and Exhibition highlights the extensive efforts by the UAE government in the area of environment protection, and in particular the distinguished role of President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. "His patronage of this conference is yet another evidence of his continuous commitment to environmental issues," Sheikh Hamdan stated.

He hoped that the conference will come out with a number of recommendations which will help environmental agencies in the UAE and the Arab world to develop their sustainable environmental projects and plans which will meet the challenges of the 21st century.

"We are also confident that "The Abu Dhabi declaration", which will be developed after much deliberation and discussion among Arab ministers responsible for environment, will form the guidelines for Arab environmental work strategies in the 21st century," he noted.

He added that the environmental strategic plan of the emirate of Abu Dhabi for 2000-2004, which was developed by ERWDA in coordination with all parties concerned, will also provide better means to follow up economic and social development in the emirate and monitor environmental impacts.

"During the year 2000, ERWDA was able to complete many projects and formulated plans to meet Abu Dhabi emirate's environmental challenges. "ERWDA was involved last year in a coastal and marine sensitivity mapping project as part of a greater effort to identify sensitive marine and coastal areas in the emirate.

"ERWDA also launched last year a fisheries programme to register fishermen and fishing boats in line with Federal Law No. 23 of 1999, for the protection and development of marine resources in the UAE," he explained.

He added that the agency's activities include marine wildlife projects to study habitats, geographical distribution, population, and the biology of turtles and dugongs which are endangered species.

"The agency has also begun to study water resources as one of the most pressing issues impacting the emirate of Abu Dhabi, with an aim to manage water resources in a cost-effective and sustainable way."

In the field of terrestrial wildlife, Sheikh Hamdan drew attention to the opening of the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital in 1999 to cater to falconry needs in the UAE and neighbouring countries.

"The agency's National Avian Research Centre (NARC) participated in Sheikh Zayed's falcon release programme in its sixth year. The agency also contributed to the establishment of the UAE Falconry Club, and is in the process of issuing an Arab falconry magazine."

Pointing to the accomplishments of the year 2000 which made it a successful year, Sheikh Hamdan said: "During the year, 400 houbara were confiscated by UAE customs officials and transferred to ERWDA's quarantine centre, where they are being used for the breeding programme."

He explained that the agency's awareness programmes had been extended to focus on schoolchildren, covering different environmental topics, in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Educational Zone. "During the last year, ERWDA announced an environmental prize to be given to the best research study conducted by students in the field of environmental science and water resources."

Sheikh Hamdan noted that the agency, in line with its policy, works closely with other local environmental institutes such as the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Private Department. The agency, he said, has also signed a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding with several countries aiming at cooperation in conservation of the environment and wildlife.