UAE Council for Environmental and Municipal Work Advances “Plant the Emirates” Programme

ABU DHABI: Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, chaired the third meeting of the UAE Council for Environmental and Municipal Work in 2024 to discuss the role of municipalities in advancing the "Plant the Emirates" national programme and other sustainability initiatives. According to Emirates News Agency, the meeting focused on the implementation of the "Plant the Emirates" programme across all emirates, with municipalities playing a pivotal role. The council reviewed strategies to promote sustainable communities, examining several key environmental issues and initiatives. This assembly is part of ongoing efforts to coordinate and oversee environmental projects aimed at achieving sustainable economic and social development throughout the UAE. During the meeting, Dr. Amna highlighted the significance of the timing, following the launch of "Plant the Emirates" by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Duba i. She emphasized the national effort to boost local agricultural production as integral to strengthening sustainable food security. "Municipalities have a crucial role in supervising farms and supporting local agricultural enterprises, with the council guiding these efforts," she stated. The council also revisited recommendations from their previous meeting, including the Unified Municipal Guides 2024, updates on the UAE Integrated Waste Management Agenda, and the National Mosquito Control Program. Topics such as the National Air Quality Agenda 2030 and the Gulf Municipal Works Conference were also discussed, highlighting the UAE's active participation in regional environmental initiatives. The meeting was attended by key figures, including Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Under-Secretary of the MOCCAE, and representatives from various environmental and municipal authorities across the UAE. The attendees reviewed the outcomes of the Ministry's participation in international conferences and discussed national init iatives like "Ne'ma," aimed at reducing food loss and waste.