Meeting addresses KSA’s environmental concerns

Prince Bandar bin Saud bin Mohammed, who is president of the Saudi Commission for Wildlife and honorary president of the Saudi Environmental Society (SENS), discussed in a meeting with Mohamed Ahmed Zainal, chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Environmental Society, key environmental concerns and programs in the Kingdom, on Tuesday. The meeting was also attended by SENS board members Dr. Majda Abu Rass and Labor Minister Adel Fakeih.
Prince Bandar bin Saud bin Mohammed used the meeting as an opportunity to express his gratefulness for being chosen as the honorary President of the Saudi Environmental Society and praised the efforts of the members of SENS.
Prince Bandar praised the establishment of national programs for the environment for the benefit of future generations. He also stressed the importance of environmental efforts in serving as a global model for good environmental practices in this regard.
The prince also mentioned that the International Gulf Environment Forum is due to be held in Riyadh in May in order to take advantage of the experiences of international experts in the field of environment.
Mohammed Zainal assured the group that the full support of the Saudi Environmental Society would be available at the International Gulf Environment Forum, while Adel Fakeih stressed the need for programs and activities that will help in creating healthy communities, and in preserving the environment for the sake of a better economy and for the security of the Kingdom.
Fakeih also said that the association aims to enable civil society to play an integrated role in the development of environment, the improvement of scientific and technical thought, and in enriching the education level in schools regarding the environment through the training of young people.
Dr. Majda Abu Ras explained that the recent meeting dealt with many important topics, including budget aspects, the administrative structure of SENS, the development of resources to this end, environmental educational programs, and the achievements of SENS. The group also sought to prepare a new strategy and operational plan for the forthcoming year, and to maintain and apply the laws that guarantee the existence of sustainable environmental projects, and community awareness raising initiatives.
Abu Ras also said that increased awareness within the community is very important for the promotion of environmental values, which are integral to ensuring access to a clean environment for future generations.
They pointed out that Saudi Arabia, through the National Program for Environmental Awareness (Be’aty: Green Flag, Green Country), is set to become a leading country in sustainable green building design and in providing high-quality green training.