AGU participates in the Arab Forum for Environment and Development Conference

Manama, Nov. 6 (BNA): An academic and student delegation from Arabian Gulf University (AGU) will participate in the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) conference, which will be held in Beirut on November 8-9. Under the patronage of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri. Representatives of 50 international and regional organisations specialised in environment, development and finance will participate to discuss the issues of sustainable goal development financing in Arab countries. “The College of Graduate Studies is keen on the annual participation of its Master’s and PhD students specialising in Natural Resources and the Environment in this important conference. This, to familiarise them with pertinent issues in the Arab world, build networks with specialists, in addition to the development of their leadership skills through the discussion and review of Arab and worldwide agenda and environmental research. About 30 of the most prominent workers in the field of financing and development policies will speak in this year’s conference, addressing the role of development aids, private sector funding and other financing mechanisms,” Professor of Water Resources at the College of Graduate Studies at AGU, Dr. Waleed Zubari said. The conference will launch the 11th Annual Arab Environment Report, which outlines funding requirements and presents gaps and financing challenges faced by Arab countries in achieving the goals of sustainable development. It also offers the best options and mechanisms for effective and efficient attraction and employment of financing, in order to implement sustainable development goals, as per the UN “2030 Agenda”. The report reviews the options for financing sustainable development after wars and conflicts. It identifies the gaps, challenges, opportunities, sources and channels for funding sustainable development established by over 200 experts and researchers, in collaboration with universities and competent international bodies, including the World Bank, UN-ESCWA, OECD, EBRD, the Islamic Development Bank, the OPEC Fund for International Development and the Kuwait Fund for Development. AFED has issued 10 reports since 2008, covering the most important challenges facing the Arab environment, such as climate change, water, energy, green economy, environmental footprint, sustainable consumption and food security. These reports have become the primary reference in environmental issues. The recommendations of the AFED reports have impacted government policies related to climate change, water management, energy efficiency and green economy, as well as the adjustment of price subsidy mechanisms to contribute to the rationalisation of consumption.