Environmental forum to discuss challenges and future prospects
Oman Environmental Forum, organised by the Office of Environment Conservation and Al Roya newspaper gathers local and international environment experts and specialists. The two-day forum will be inaugurated by Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh al Mantheri, Chairman of the State Council. Titled “Sustainability in the Omani Environment: Challenges and Future Prospects”, the forum will discuss four themes: environmental sustainability plans, applications of the concept of environmental sustainability, energy, waste recycling and biofuel generation, environmental education, awareness strategy and the role of biodiversity conservation in achieving sustainability.
The forum stresses that environmental sustainability is an objective that must be realised. The organising committee looks forward to providing an interactive field between experts and academics with environmental sustainability stakeholders; addressing a number of issues related to the environmental aspect in the Sultanate; and to formulate advanced environmental policies and programmes.
The forum also aims at discussing the sustainability mechanisms and environmental challenges, the best resource management, annual readings of the environmental dimension indicators in the Sultanate, discussing mechanisms for protecting the environment and natural resources, studying the available capacities on nature reserves and their role in urban development and extrapolating the dimensions of national development initiatives in the economic and social development.
The forum sets out a general message to develop theoretical frameworks that can be used to support efforts to promote the sustainability of the energy sector to bring them to the attention of competent authorities to formulate new strategic options that ensure high economic gains and balanced resource management.
Some other objectives also: to support innovation in the large-scale production and dissemination of software and hardware, to provide an appropriate working environment to discuss the issue of desertification, how to rehabilitate pastoral lands, the extent to which information systems technology can be introduced to control various environmental phenomena, soil erosion, the activity of fixed sand dunes, degradation of vegetation cover, salinisation of the soil and reduction of fertility and to provide an opportunity for experts and specialists to update procedures for the protection of the marine environment from pollution.
On the sidelines of the forum, Al Mantheri will open the environment exhibition that includes 45 rare pictures of the wildlife in Oman. The five winners of “My Beautiful Environment” competition for school students grade (1-12) will be also honoured.