Yemen observes World Environment Day [Archives:2002/24/Local News]

BY MOHAMMED AL-QADHI
YEMEN TIMES STAFF
Yemen celebrated World Environment Day last Wednesday.
It was a celebration hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment in cooperation with the General Authority of Environment Protection (GAEP), the Capital Secretariat and the UNDP.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Mashgari, chairman of GAEP said the government was taking positive steps towards issuing legislation to protect environment.
He said a report on environmental issues would soon be presented to the cabinet for approval.
Mr. James Rawley, the UN resident representative in Yemen said, Yemen like many other developing countries was facing various environmental problems. These consist of a disappearing aquifer, pollution, erosion, the steady growth of the desert, a decrease in biological diversity and the exploitation of fisheries.
He pointed out that Yemeni Government had come up with a number of conventions focusing on environmental protection. These include the National Environmental Action Plan, the National Bio-Diversity Strategy and Action Plan and the National Action Plan on Desertification.
These have endorsed the Socotra zoning plan and water law. The UNDP has actively assisted in the preparations of these plans and legislation.
Mr. Rawley stressed that there was little chance to protect the environment without a greater sense of responsibility.
In his speech, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said, sustainable development rests on three pillars: economic growth, social progress and protection of our environment and natural resources.

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