Environmental experts advocate common Arab-Mediterranean vision

2008-11-11

Tunisia hosted experts on public policy and environmental issues over the weekend to discuss ways that the Arab and Mediterranean regions can co-operate to fight climate change and enhance human security.

By Mona Yahia for Magharebia in Tunis – 11/11/08

[Getty Images] Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) Secretary-General Habib Ben Yahia tells a Tunis conference that a shared environmental strategy is critical to the region.

Maghreb officials and environmental experts seek to promote a joint Arab-Mediterranean vision between governments, organisations and individuals, in order to handle environmental disasters and minimise their impact.

This was the position advanced on Saturday (November 8th) at a two-day conference in Tunis. According to the attendees, co-operation on this level is essential to realising environmental and human security and to improve living conditions in the region.

The conference, organised by the Association of the Mediterranean Network for Sustained Development (ARREMED) in collaboration with the Arab Network for Environment and Development (RAED), also discussed the strategic and legal dimensions of environmental security in the Arab Mediterranean spheres, as well as the role of scientific research and technology in this field.

"The environment is a global issue; the air, universe and the earth are owned by the whole world. As Arab states we ought to engage in consultation, exchange delegations and information and undertake joint projects to face the hazards threatening the environment," noted Souzan Zaki, a delegate from the Environment Lovers' Society in Egypt.

Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) Secretary-General Habib Ben Yahia said environmental security is strategic, noting it should be integrated into national, regional and international security policy. He emphasised the importance of a Maghreb action plan for protecting the ocean and fighting pollution.

The closing communiqué of the Tunis conference called for enhanced partnership among governments and the private sector to achieve objectives of environmental security, develop civil society organisations, extend environmental awareness and monitor programmes, in addition to making use of Arab experience and exchanging expertise.

The document also supported the fight against climate change, backing up the efforts of the Arab Network for Environment and Development (RAED).

Participants in the conference also called for laying down unified policies in relation to environmental security, strengthening partnership in matters of scientific research among Arab countries, listing all existing and potential risks so as to evaluate their cost, and restoring respect for international law through the implementation of UN resolutions to achieve environmental security in regions of tension, particularly the Arab region.

The Tunisian government last called on Arab states to co-operate on the issue of climate change on October 14th, 2007, on the occasion of Arab Environmental Day, held under the slogan "The Climate is Changing, Let's Get Ready". As a show of its commitment, Tunisia at that time earmarked 1.2% of its GDP to environmental issues.

Tatiana Hama, representative of the Mediterranean Action Plan, underlined that Tunisia recently signed a new protocol on the protection of coastlines, prepared within the framework of the Mediterranean Action Plan. Tunisia is one of 21 Mediterranean countries that have joined the Plan since its creation 30 years ago.

Desertification presently threatens nearly 70% of the Arab region and 65% of agricultural lands in Africa.

Tunisian Health Minister Mondher Zenaidi called for establishing an effective partnership with civil society in order to spread environmental awareness, stressing that the number of associations working in the domain rose from 51 in 1988 to 220 associations today.