RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has ratified international and regional conventions and treaties and, in fact, it was the first country to implement programs to save the environment.

This was stated by Abdulaziz bin Omar Al-Jasser, chairman of the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment, after inaugurating an International Gulf Forum and Exhibition on Environment and Sustainable Development in Riyadh recently.

The event was attended by officials of the ministries of environment and chambers of commerce and industry of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), besides representatives of environmental groups.

Al-Jasser said that such programs have produced great results in promoting awareness on environment and sustainable development.

Others who spoke at the conference included Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al-Ibrahim, governor of the General Establishment for Water Desalination, and Abdul Rahman Al-Awadhi, executive director of the Regional Organization for the Protection of Marine Environment.

During the two-day event, efficient use of resources, water and waste water management, medical waste and developing sustainable and effective strategies to monitor emissions were discussed.