UAE, Iran to bolster coop. to combat dust storms

Tehran, IRNA – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran are going to ink a memorandum of understanding on the expansion of cooperation in combating dust storms, an Iranian official said. Nourollah Moradi, the deputy head of Iran's Department of Environment for educational affairs, said on Monday that the MoU is going to be signed in the presence of Vice President of Iran and Head of Iran's Department of Environment Ali Salajegheh and Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the United Arab Emirates Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri on Tuesday. The MoU consists of various issues such as combating sand and dust storms as well as creating opportunities to exchange specialized information and experiences, Moradi said, adding that both sides are pursuing the implementation of joint ventures and preparation of regional programs in this respect. Joint seminars, educational courses, exchange of experts, special groups to follow up combat against repercussions of sand and dust storms, sharing management knowledge, and utilizing experiences of international centers are among other objectives of the MoU, he added. Following a decree made by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on the need for enhancing diplomacy in order to pay more attention to the management of dust storms, the Islamic Republic of Iran will hold a meeting at the level of environment ministers of neighboring states on July 12 in order to pave the ground for dealing with environmental challenges at the regional level. Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi has tasked the Iranian foreign minister and the head of the Department of Environment to hold talks with neighboring states to find a way out of the dust and sand crisis. Then, Salajegheh, heading a delegation, visited some countries such as Iraq, Syria, and Kuwait to discuss the management of the problem. On June 6, the Iranian Department of Environment held a seminar on environment and regional diplomacy, which was participated by ambassadors from neighboring states in order to discuss diplomatic efforts to face the dust storm and other environmental challenges. Regional countries, including Iraq, Armenia, Syria, Qatar, Azerbaijan Republic, Oman, and Turkey, have expressed readiness to take part in the ministerial gathering in Tehran so far. The meeting will address challenges such as dust and sand storms in order to discuss and find ways to overcome the regional problem, which affects the health and daily lives of millions of people. Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish