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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Policies need to align with environment

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By Lakshmi Kothaneth — MUSCAT: May 10 - Environment has to be integrated into the decision making of any sector’s policies for achieving sustainable development, according to Dr Eyad AbuMaghli, Regional Director, United Nations Environment Programme (West Asia). Speaking at Oman Environmental Forum, organised by Environmental Conservation Office of Diwan of Royal Court and Al Roya Newspaper, Dr AbuMaghli, citing the example of transportation, said: “We need to think how transportation can be greener by reducing carbon emissions, reducing the number of cars on the roads and how citizens can have more informed choices.”


“Why can’t we focus on sustainable transport such as trains, trams, buses and so on? These are concerns of ordinary citizens,” he said. Titled ‘Sustaining the Environment in Oman’, the forum brought into focus some of the environment-related challenges faced by the Sultanate, the region and the world. “We need to connect science to policy-making, which is often ignored because of the lack of capacity in providing scientific evidence to the decision-makers. When decisions are not made on solid ground, it becomes difficult to achieve goals,” said the regional director of the UNEP.


He made a presentation titled “Integration of environmental dimension into plan 2030’. The agenda 2030, adopted by 193 countries, including Oman, lays the ground for sustainable development until 2030. He highlighted the integration of environmental dimension in the sustainable development agenda. The synergy between different sectors of economy is important, he said. Dr AbuMaghli said environment was considered a “separate sector” in the past, such as protecting an area or promoting an environmental campaign. He discussed issues related to Oman, including waste management. “We need to look at people’s role in reducing a generation of waste. Why do we focus on problems and solutions instead of looking at prevention?” he said.


The forum will discuss four topics over the next two days. The first day included two topics: ‘Environmental Sustainability Plans’, presented by Lara Jada’a, Research Assistant, Sustainable Development Policies, ESCWA, with a worksheet titled ‘Sustainable Environment Plans 2030: Significance and Objectives’. Ibrahim bin Ahmed al Ajmi, Director-General of Climate Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, presented a worksheet titled ‘Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change in the Sultanate of Oman’. Another presentation, ‘Ecotourism and Sustainability of Green Development’, was delivered by Shaikh Hilal bin Ghalib al Hinai, Director-General of Planning and Follow-up in the Ministry of Tourism.


Speaking on climate change, Dr Thuraya al Sariri, Director of Biodiversity Department, Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, highlighted the steps taken by MECA and its future plans. “Environment as a whole is facing challenges. Many projects, if not monitored, can harm the environment. That is why we have the Royal Decree 114/2001 for the protection of the environment. One of the articles states that all projects, especially the heavy projects, should submit an environmental impact assessment before getting permits and approval to proceed with the projects.” She added, “Protection of environment is for everyone, public and private sectors and the community.”


The topic included a panel discussion attended by holders of the worksheets, and Hilal Abdul Rasool al Zadjali from the Supreme Planning Council and Dr Hamdan al Wahaibi from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The two-day forum was inaugurated by Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh al Mantheri, Chairman of the State Council. Al Mantheri also opened an exhibition that includes 45 rare pictures of the wildlife in Oman.


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