Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment has issued a ministerial decree on the formation of the "Emirates Committee for Sustainable Environment Research".

The committee will be headed by the Minister and comprised of representatives from a range of different organisations, entities and universities across the public and private sectors and will oversee the development of a research strategy and integrated work streams on environmental sustainability and climate change; key national priorities of the UAE Government.

It will also mandate joint working efforts, information exchange and data sharing (including by making the Ministry’s technical data more freely available) across government entities and universities as well as setting strategic objectives for different organisations.

Speaking about the resolution, Dr. Al Zeyoudi said that the formation of the Emirates Committee for Sustainable Environment Research is part of the ministry’s commitment to support sustainable practices, efficient use of resources and drive scientific research across the country and to drive behavioural change in accordance with the National Agenda. The committee will play an important role in the continued efforts to find research-driven creative, innovative and technical environmentally friendly and clean energy solutions in the UAE.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment is also keen to develop its own testing and agricultural research stations, which are designed to carry out experiments and studies on plant growth and the introduction of species suited to local conditions.

The stations also help farmers apply the latest technological and modern methods to improve their trade, encourage best practice and deliver a number of skills and training opportunities. He encourages staff at these stations to continue their hard work and partnership efforts in rural areas and to further embrace the latest technologies coming on stream.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi stressed the wider imperative of continuing to drive agricultural research and studies that can act as a catalyst for sustainable development in the farming and livestock sectors.

The committee includes members from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the Ministry of Education, the United Arab Emirates University, the American University of Sharjah, British University in Dubai, Dubai Police Academy, Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, New York University, University of the Sorbonne in Abu Dhabi, University of Sharjah, Zayed University and Ajman University of Science and Technology as well as the American University in Dubai and International Center for Biosaline Agriculture and Dubai Real Estate Institute.

Source :WAM