6 March 2014
H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water has expressed his pleasure in hosting the International Center of Excellence for the green economy in the UAE. The event was held with the chief aim of implementing the objectives of the Global Conference on the Partnership for Action on Green Economy.
In his closing speech, Dr. Bin Fahad said that the inaugural global conference on the Partnership for Action on Green Economy – PAGE 2014, which was held in Dubai from March 4 to 5, 2014, recognizes the shift towards an inclusive green economy – saying that it is no longer a luxury preserved for wealthy countries but has now become imperative to all, as the countries across the globe are taking positive actions in this regard.
Over the past two days lively discussions took place in plenary on action on the Rio+20 outcome and creating partnership for action. A special session was devoted to sharing the experience of the UAE with green grow. The sessions focused on Green Jobs, Fiscal policy and Finance, Green Industrial Policies, Social inclusion and poverty reduction, Sustainable trade opportunities and Metrics and indicators for Green Economy – Measuring the future we want
The overwhelming response received for the movement towards a Green economy can be attributed to the growing interest of several countries who have displayed a sense of urgency to change the current development model and pursue a low-carbon, socially inclusive and resource-efficient model that improves human wellbeing and values natural capital.
Dr. Bin Fahad stated that the PAGE Partners have agreed that Dubai will once again host the fourth edition of the PAGE global conference in 2020 simultaneously with the World Expo. They have also agreed to develop ‘Dubai Tools’ in order to implement the objectives of the initiative. Furthermore, he added that the partners have decided to make this conference a biennial event.
There is growing interest among countries to support PAGE, as evidenced as evidenced by the more than 650 participants from 66 countries – including 27 ministers from environment, finance, industry, labour and trade and by a unique set of expertise and voices from different countries. Wherein the importance of the outputs and recommendations of the conference highlighted the need of fundamental changes in terms of attitudes, behaviours and partnerships in which many participants have expressed an urgent need on how to change the ways of consuming and producing decisions.
Dr. Bin Fahad further added that the development of the green economy would come through the implementation of a programs and initiatives that are aimed at enhancing green development – pushing it towards the right direction. He also shared that these programs can help address the social, environmental and economic dimensions of development in an integrated manner. This would enable escalation of green economy policies and measures on fiscal, green industries, green jobs and trade, among others.
He also stressed the importance of effective national institutional framework and good cooperation by countries around the world and involvement of international efforts to achieve the exchange of knowledge in terms of green economy
Dr. Bin Fahad emphasized that the participating countries at the conference have been motivated and have taken inspiration and guidance from each other. They have given their best experience to others, who will now carry the ideas of green economy home and begin to translate the collective wisdom into practical action.
“Furthermore, the international community, regional organizations, Friends of Page and other interested countries, have renewed their commitment and expressed their support to the fundamental change we have now agreed to promote, in the way we organize our economies and societies. Everyone will try to play their role, within their own capacities and their own limitations,” concluded Dr. Bin Fahad.
Dr. Bin Fahad expressed his heartfelt gratitude by thanking all the international and regional organizations, research centers and governing authorities representing different countries for participating in the conference as well as those who contributed towards its success. He closed the event by saying that the success of the conference demonstrates the UAE’s vision to pursue change towards a better future by investing efforts to achieve progress and development of the country.