March 25, 2014
The UAE Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bahrain’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning to preserve the two countries’ agriculture, livestock, and live aquatic wealth and resources. The strategic partnership complements international initiatives to protect the environment and promote sustainability, both of which are outlined in UAE Vision 2021. The agreement was signed by Sultan Abdullah Alwan Al Habsi, Assistant Undersecretary of External Audit, UAE MoEW, and Dr Abdulaziz Mohammed Abdulkareem director for flora wealth at the Municipal and Urban Planning Affairs Ministry, in the presence of a number of senior officials from both countries.
Highlighting the importance of social, economic, and environmental factors in their progress, both ministries agreed to cooperate in the area of agriculture, including organic and protected agriculture, laboratories and agricultural services related to plant and animal health, and food safety. They will also be collaborating in the conservation of live aquatic resources by further enhancing aquaculture and management of fisheries and setting up additional agricultural and veterinary quarantines.
In line with their efforts to develop innovative solutions to promote environmental sustainability and protect the natural resources, the two countries also agreed to create new interactive channels allowing exchange of expertise and sharing of knowledge and research works on agricultural, livestock, and marine resources. They would also focus
on strengthening the skills of their people by holding a series of training programs and scientific visits while leveraging available opportunities based on the mechanisms adopted by multilateral financing organizations aimed at establishing new projects which cater to mutual aspirations.
The UAE has signed various regional and international agreements to promote environmental protection and conservation of agricultural, animal, and aquatic wealth. These agreements include the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and Convention on Biological Diversity. In addition, the country has collaborated with various organizations to protect migratory species in the UAE, including marine turtles, dugongs, birds of prey, and sharks, among others.