(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BEIRUT, Nov 3 (KUNA) -- The 10th Annual Conference of the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) urged the Arab governments to adopt stricter measures to protect environment and manage the natural resources.
The challenges facing environment and economic development in the region in the last decade require effective cooperation in the framework of the Arab League, according to the final statement of the gathering.
The Arab countries need to scale up their efforts to realize the sustainable development targets, improve environmental governance and policies, and contribute to the international efforts in this regard, the statement said.
The conferees highlighted the need of experience sharing and joint action to conserve water and energy resources, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and improve food and air quality.
They recommended merging the environment governance into the government policies, encouraging the private sector to contribute to energy conservation, clean energy and the green economy initiatives.
They also highlighted the need of prioritizing food security through introduction of sustainable farming policies and increased productivity.
They noted that the armed conflicts in several Arab countries hampered development and damaged environment severely, thus requiring remedial action to restore peace and security.
Themed "Arab Environment in 10 Years," the two-day conference was held in Beirut, the same venue where AFED emerged in 2006.
It gathered 14 Arab ministers as well as corporate leaders and heads of international and regional organizations.
The attendees include representatives of Kuwait University, Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait Fund For Arab Economic Development and Kuwait Environment Protection Society. (end) wam.gb
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