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Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, has said that the National Environment Day, launched 19 years ago, is an important milestone in local environmental efforts. The yearly celebration reaffirms the ministry’s commitment to promote environmental protection and development, and highlights important issues for inclusion in the national agenda. These objectives form part of UAE Vision 2021 and the federal and local governments’ strategies.

In a press statement issued on the occasion, Dr. bin Fahad said that the unwavering commitment and support for environmental protection and development efforts by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, have made a positive impact on broader relevant initiatives. This effect is evident today, with the environmental dimension of all development plans now being valued and maximised, thus continuously improving the country’s position on the global map.

He expressed his appreciation and gratitude to His Highness the UAE President, saying that the wise leader’s support has transformed the occasion into a national celebration to encourage higher participation from society.

He continued, "We commemorate this year’s National Environment Day under the theme, ‘The Green Economy: Innovation and Sustainability’, a few days after the retreat on the UAE’s post-oil economy. The concept of the green economy, which depends mainly on creativity and innovation, will be an essential element of our economic policy for the country’s post-oil development phase adopted by our wise leadership."

With respect to the key progress made in the implementation of the UAE’s green development strategy, the Minister explained that 2015 saw important accomplishments for the initiative such as the establishment of mechanisms, indicators and priorities for the implementation, preparation and adoption of related major programmes by the Council of Ministers. The Emirates Green Development Council and its national committees were also formed last year.

Last year, the first report on the green economy was launched in the UAE to discuss the country’s progress towards a more sustainable economic framework as well as the pioneering study on local green investment and the banking and finance sectors. Additionally, a series of national meetings on economic investment opportunities, green investments and procurement, and national human capacity building in green finance was organised.

"Coinciding with the National Year of Innovation, a wide range of projects and initiatives for relevant areas was launched in 2015. The Emirates Green Development Council, in particular, has developed a green agenda with a portfolio of 96 initiatives and projects developed in accordance with the development plans of more than 50 concerned federal and local authorities. We have mentioned this in our second national report issued last month on the state of the country’s green economy."

"In the final year of the three-year campaign cycle designed for the National Environment Day celebration, we will focus on sustainability which represents the third element of the programme’s slogan. The concept of sustainability was highlighted by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in his speech during the National Environment Day celebration last year. He said, ‘Green and sustainable management of the economy aims to conserve natural resources, preserve heritage, ensure the well-being, health and stability of each individual, and safeguard the basic rights of future generations by protecting them from waste and attrition'," Bin Fahad said.

He added, "We will begin this year’s event with the launching of the ‘Sustainability is a Lifestyle’ initiative as part of the national strategy to educate, raise environmental awareness, and promote positive environmental behaviour among the public. It also aims to help achieve the environmental objectives and targets of UAE Vision 2021, the National Agenda, and the UAE’s green development strategy."

At the end of his statement, the Minister commended the efforts of all relevant national authorities in boosting the country’s green economy initiatives. He emphasised that the integration of policies and programmes among various local stakeholders, the private sector’s broad participation, and society’s growing sense of responsibility, constitute the main pillars of the ongoing process towards nurturing a green economy and turning the Emirates Green Development Council’s strategic objectives into a reality.

He also emphasised the need for awareness on the challenges as well as requirements in establishing an economy that is ‘not dependent on oil or vagaries of the market’ as referred to by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.