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Countries must accept responsibility toward environment Sheikh Mohammed

by Tanya Goudsouzian , Gulf News, United Arab Emirates - 23 April 2001

Developed countries that refuse to accept their share of responsibility in controlling the damage wreaked upon the environment would be acting selfishly, said General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defence Minister, yesterday at the inaugural award ceremony of the Zayed International Award for Environment.

The ceremony, held at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, saw former U.S. President Jimmy Carter receive the first prize for his "futuristic vision and subsequent work on poverty, human health, human settlements and peace that helped improve the environment." The audience of 950 included high-ranking national figures such as Matar Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs; Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Habtoor, Speaker of the Federal National Council; Saeed Mohammed Al Raqabani, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, and Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of Communications.

"Our meeting today highlights the international nature of the environment issue, and the single destiny shared by mankind. More importantly, it confirms the possibility of cooperation among all nations, as well as non-government organisations, in taking constructive steps toward providing future generations with a safer and more dignified life," said Sheikh Mohammed, who is both founder and patron of the Zayed International Award for the Environment.

Certain countries that are reluctant to take their share of the responsibility constitute the greatest obstacle to the international effort in preserving the environment, according to Sheikh Mohammed. Making a reference to the Kyoto protocol, he added: "Regrettably, some developed countries do not want to take responsibility under the pretext that it would undermine the progress of their economy, and affect the welfare of their society.

"We have to face facts. The greatest threat to the environment is emitted by the factories located in advanced industrial countries. They generate hazardous waste without making enough effort to recycle. This is unfair and selfish," he charged, warning that the failure to implement the Kyoto protocol this year "will aggravate the greenhouse effect and render future efforts to control it more difficult."

"Our country has given utmost priority to the environment issue, thanks to the wisdom of the President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan," he said. The speakers were introduced by Dr Mohammed Ahmed bin Fahad, Chairman of the Higher Committee of the Prize.

Klaus Toepfer, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, also praised Sheikh Zayed's contributions to the preservation of the environment. "His pioneering vision has touched all aspects of life in the UAE. His imprint can be seen in the large-scale greening of this country. It can be observed in the construction of sewage plants and innovative irrigation schemes. It can be recognised in the protection he has bestowed on the Dorcas Gazella, the Arabian Oryx and the rare Arabian leopard."

Carter, 76, while being honoured for his work toward environment preservation, is also remembered in the Middle East for orchestrating the Camp David peace initiative 23 years ago, which saw Egypt forge a treaty with Israel. In his address, Carter, once a peanut farmer from Georgia, sharply criticised the policies of President George W. Bush - namely his decision not to sign the Kyoto protocol and his desire to go drilling in the Arctic, "for the temporary benefit of extracting a relatively small quantity of oil."

Carter received a cash prize of $500,000, a trophy and a Zayed Prize Diploma. The second prize was shared by Professor Mohammed Al Kassas and the World Commission on Dams. The third prize was awarded to Yolanda Kakabadse and Stephan Schmidheiny. Al Kassas is recognised for his life-long dedication to the study of arid lands, their bio-diversity and the delicate relationship between human beings and the eco systems.

The World Commission on Dams is recognised as a model for addressing what is a complex, cross-cutting issue. Kakabadse was chosen for her leading role in work involving NGOs. Schmidheiny was selected for his efforts towards establishing the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

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