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13:10 GMT
Chairman and Director General of Kuwait's Environment Public Authority Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah participates in the 29th session of the Council of Arab Ministers responsible for environment affairs
CAIRO, Oct 19 (KUNA) -- Chairman and Director General of Kuwait's Environment Public Authority (EPA) Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah on Thursday stressed the need to reiterate the Arab stance regarding the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Presiding over the 29th session of the Council of Arab Ministers responsible for environment affairs, Sheikh Abdullah noted that the Paris accord is going through a "very sensitive turn."
This urges the Arabs to reaffirm their constants on climate change, he said, noting that the agreement was concluded by consensus, and within the framework of "sustainable development, and each party's right in development."
The ministerial session comes amid major global environmental developments that imposed challenges on the regional scene, the EPA chief said.
Sheikh Abdullah stressed the prime importance of the environmental dimension for achieving sustainable development, in a way that helps realizes "balance between Man's right to live in a sound environment and the prosperity and development he aspires for."
He also emphasized the effective role of civil society for promoting awareness, working parallel with government institutions to develop solutions for environment problems.
In this context, he urged the specialized Arab and regional organizations, partners of the ministerial council, to work on a legislative framework that could support this orientation.
Sheikh Abdullah highlighted Kuwait's experience in engaging civil society institutions in environmental decision-making.
He thanked president of the council's previous session, Qatar's Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohammad bin Abdullah Al-Rumaihi.
On top of the one-day session comes the issue of "environment governance", besides a host of other topics related to joint Arab action.
Participants will also discuss preparations for Arabs' participation in a major UN conference to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, as well as the impact of Israel's Dimona and Iran's Bushehr reactors on the Arab environment. (end)
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