UAE Council For Environmental And Municipal Work Reviews Municipalities' Role In Advancing Plant The Emirates Programme

The UAE Council for Environmental and Municipal Work convened its third meeting in 2024, led by Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment. The session focused on the role of municipalities across the emirates in advancing the national programme, ‘Plant the Emirates’. This initiative aims to foster sustainable communities through coordinated efforts among municipalities and relevant authorities.

The meeting highlighted the importance of municipalities in implementing environmental projects that support sustainable economic and social development. Dr. Amna emphasised, "This meeting takes place at an opportune time, following the launch of the national programme ‘Plant the Emirates’ by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, along with the integrated campaign that accompanies it."

Dr. Amna further stated that municipalities are crucial in supervising farms and supporting local agricultural enterprises. She noted, "The national efforts to promote agriculture will be integrated across all levels, with the active involvement of relevant state agencies, the private sector, and society as a whole." The Council is tasked with guiding these efforts to ensure long-term sustainability.

In addition to discussing ‘Plant the Emirates’, the meeting reviewed recommendations from previous sessions about Unified Municipal Guides 2024. Updates on various agendas like UAE Integrated Waste Management 2023-2026 and National Air Quality Agenda 2030 were also examined. These discussions aim to align municipal actions with federal strategies for environmental management.

The Council also addressed regional cooperation through participation in events like the Gulf Municipal Works Conference in Saudi Arabia. The Ministry's involvement in initiatives such as the Middle East Green Initiative was discussed. This initiative focuses on combating land degradation and preserving vegetation cover while encouraging international support for regional efforts.

Moreover, updates on initiatives like "Ne’ma" to reduce food loss and waste were presented. The Council evaluated national preparedness against environmental risks and developments regarding solid waste management targets. These discussions underscore a comprehensive approach to tackling environmental challenges.

Key Participants

The meeting was attended by key figures including Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi from MOCCAE; Alia Abdul Rahim Al Harmoudi from MOCCAE's Sustainable Communities Sector; Ahmed Mohamed Al Kaabi from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure; Dawood AlHajri from Dubai Municipality; Major General Pilot Ahmed Mohammed bin Thani from Dubai Environment Authority; Dr. Saif Al Ghais from Ras Al Khaimah's Environment Authority; Asila Abdullah Al Mualla from Fujairah Environment Authority; Dr. Salem Khalfan Al Kaabi from Abu Dhabi's Department of Municipalities; and Salama Alawadhi from MoIAT.

The session concluded with a focus on enhancing municipal roles in creating sustainable communities. Dr. Amna remarked on overcoming challenges together: "Despite the wide range of issues and responsibilities we face, together we can achieve more and surpass the expectations of our wise leadership in enhancing the role of municipalities in the UAE's quest to establish more sustainable communities." This collaborative effort is seen as vital for national progress.

With inputs from WAM