The achievement is a result of efforts by the directorates and administrations of environment and climate affairs in governorates under the supervision of the information department at MECA stated a press release.

Dr Abdulatif bin Rashid al Zayani Secretary General of GCC and chairman of the GCC Panel for Environment and Wildlife Awards for 2013-14 announced names of the winners in Riyadh in November.

Farida bint Salim al Balushi manager of information department said 'Environment conservation is a national and moral duty. The diversity in awareness programmes carried out by the ministry in the past years has led us to this achievement. We hope this honour will boost motivation and help preserve wildlife in the GCC and deal with natural disasters in a better way.'

MECA presented a report on the environmental work carried out in institutional areas and the awareness programmes it initiated. It also gave a brief about the ministry's specialisations and its vision. It defined the climatic disasters in the sultanate and also explained how the information department worked to deal with it.

It also explained the role of the Ministry of Education and the pollution control centre during natural disasters. Dr Zayani said that the awards aim at encouraging groups and individuals working to conserve environment. It also seeks to contribute to spreading environmental awareness among GCC nationals and expatriates.

The other winners at the awards included Prince Turki bin Nasser bin Abdul Aziz al Saud from Saudi Arabia who was adjudged the best environmental personality and Saudi Arabia's Al Youm newspaper. Al Youm won the environmental journalism award.