Emirates Environmental Group yesterday announced the launch of its much anticipated 14th cycle of the Clean-Up UAE campaign to enhance and protect the UAE's environment through grassroots efforts and by spreading awareness in the local community.

The announcement was made by Ms. Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson of EEG, at a press conference in Dubai. The upcoming campaign will cover all seven emirates in the 10 day long initiative, starting in Dubai on the 5th December and finishing on the 16th December in Dibba Al Hisn.

The campaign was launched through the brand new EEG website. For the first time in 24 years since its inception, the EEG has launched its very own Arabic website. Ms. Habiba said, "It is a very proud moment for all of us at EEG to be able to launch our first ever Arabic website. I always felt that there was something missing from our connecting with the community and I hope through this we can engage and interact with more people."

The Clean-Up campaign has been a trail blazer since its inception in 2002, and has now grown into a UAE wide initiative bringing together individuals, families and organisations from a variety of backgrounds, all of whom call the UAE their home, and share the same common goal of making the UAE a leading environmentally friendly and sustainable country.

Ms. Habiba said, "The goal for this year is to signify working collaboratively towards making the world a cleaner place to live in and more importantly to realise that it falls under the responsibility of individual to take action."

The official tag line for this year is "Exploiting Nature, Exploiting their Future – Get up and Clean-Up!" Last year, 123,176 people worked tirelessly and managed to divert 94 tonnes of waste from landfill. This year's campaign aims to get even more people involved and collect and dispose of a greater quantity of waste. The objective of the campaign is to give the population of the UAE the tools necessary to make a positive change in their communities – not only building up community spirit, but also moulding the nation's youth to become the environmental leaders of the future.

Numerous government representatives and supporters from all seven emirates were present during the press conference underlining their commitment and enthusiasm for the upcoming Clean-up UAE Campaign. The EEG Chairperson thanked all the attendees present and further emphasised the need to continue to spread awareness and promote sustainability ensuring that the future of the UAE is a clean and prosperous one.

During the press conference, it was announced that the clean-up activities in each emirate will focus on specific areas that need the most attention for remediation, including beaches, marine and desert spaces. The campaign will start in Dubai on the 5th of December, a date which was strategically chosen to commemorate the 44th anniversary of the UAE's National Day.

Other destinations of the campaign include Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, Ajman, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Umm Al Qaiwain, and Fujairah. As a tradition, a fitting end to the campaign will be commemorated by the annual tree planting ceremony which will take place on the 15th of December in Fujairah.

Al Marashi also extended her appreciation of the support received from Abu Dhabi Municipality, Sharjah Municipality, Environment and Protected Areas Authority, RAK Public Works and Services Dept., Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation, Municipality and Planning – Ajman, Al Ain Municipality, Dibba Al Hisn Municipality and Umm Al Qaiwain Public Works and Services Department – UAQ Government, so far. She also thanked the co-sponsors for Dubai - McDonalds UAE, support sponsor for Sharjah - Bee'ah, and the support sponsors for Abu Dhabi - BP Middle East.
Source: WAM