Corporate Responsibility to an Annual State of the Environment Report Announced Under New Pan Arab Initiative

Developing a common market for environmentally-friendly technologies and products is among the aims of a new initiative called the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) whose forward-looking work programme was announced last 7th February in Nairobi.

Other targets include an annual progress report, detailing how countries in the Arab world are performing in respect to international sustainable development treaties and agreements ranging from the phase out of ozone depleting chemicals to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The AFED, details of which were discussed at a press conference at the 24th Session of the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum, brings together civil society and the private sector to solve local and global environmental concerns.

It has the backing of the key Arab Ministers of Environment and officials of the League of Arab States and also includes media, scientists, academics and experts as core members, and government agencies as observers.

Alongside the report, AFED is launching special programmes covering Corporate Environmental Responsibility (CER), including Cleaner Production initiatives: Environmental Awareness and Communication, in cooperation with regional media leaders; Environmental Education; Environmental Legislation; Environmental Governance; Water Resources Management; Combating Desertification; Waste Management.