NOUAKCHOTT: Dr Abdullah bin Ali Al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority and President of the Seventh Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), held a series of meetings with senior officials responsible for environmental affairs during his participation in the 36th session of the Council of Arab Ministers and Heads of Authorities Responsible for Environmental Affairs, hosted in Nouakchott, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
Dr Al Amri met with Masouda bint Baham Mohamed Laghdaf, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Mauritania, to discuss avenues of cooperation between the two countries in diverse environmental areas. The talks focused on environmental protection, pollution control, biodiversity conservation, wildlife and nature reserves, and coordination in preparation for UNEA-7, scheduled from December 8 to 12.
He also met with Dr Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, where discussions centered on the implementation of global initiatives and projects to combat desertification, and on ways to enhance Oman's engagement in upcoming projects and participation in the next Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNCCD.
In another meeting with Kawthar Kouikou, Minister of Environment and Quality of Life of Algeria, Dr Al-Amri explored prospects for bilateral cooperation, particularly in anti-desertification programs.
Dr Al Amri also held a side meeting with Engineer Mansour bin Hilal Al Mashiti, Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The discussion reviewed decisions from the 35th session of the Arab Council, examined the key topics of the 36th session -- notably the Green Middle East Initiative -- and highlighted Saudi Arabia's efforts during its presidency of COP16 of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
Both sides emphasized the importance of coordination among Arab nations ahead of and during UNEA-7 to unify regional positions on the draft ministerial declaration and key resolutions to be discussed at the session. - ONA