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Delegated by HM The Sultan, Education Minister Confers Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Preservation 2021

Delegated by HM The Sultan, Education Minister Confers Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Preservation 2021

Muscat/ Paris, His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik has affirmed that the protection of the environment and conservation of natural resources comes in the forefront of priorities of development plans in the Sultanate of Oman. The move stems from solid conviction that care for the environment constitutes an international responsibility that knows no political boundaries.

This was stated in His Majesty the Sultan’s speech included in a special book marking the 32nd anniversary of establishment of UNESCO-Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Preservation. The rest of the speech reads as follows:

“This responsibility requires the international community to provide the means deemed necessary for the conservation of the ecological system, as well as working plans to realize the sustainable development goals at domestic, regional and international levels. Public awareness about the need to maintain balance in the environment and to invest in its resources in a manner that ensures its sustainability for the coming generations.

The Sultanate of Oman has been keen on fostering its presence in the international arena by participating in world conferences and events. This attention culminated in the launch of the UNESCO-Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Preservation in 1989. It was the first Arab prize awarded at the global level.

This award emerges in the backdrop of massive developmental expansion marked by a high rate of utilization of resources to feed scientific and industrial evolutions. This impacted the environment in a direct way. We will extend bridges of cooperation, peace and joint action with all countries of the world and environment organisations for the common good of all and with the prime aim of meeting the sustainable development goals.

Conservation of the environment constitutes one of the basic pillars of five-year plans and national strategies that determine the primary principles of linking development with the protection of natural resources to ensure their sustainability. We hope that the efforts of specialists and operators in the field of environment will yield fruit within the goals of Oman Vision 2040 that aim at achieving adequate protection of ecological species and balanced use of natural resources, while at the same time linking the process with the periodic requirements of development plans to achieve the desired balance for a better environmental future.

We recognize the efforts of researchers and academics in the field of environment conservation and the enhancement of means of sustainable livelihood. We would also like to commend the ambitious programmes and distinguished efforts made by environment protection authorities, organizations and institutions as they strive to maintain ecological and biological diversity. We hope further progress will be made in this respect so that the different resources of the Earth can be utilized at a more sustainable rate that enables the world to sustain the elements of the globe,” His Majesty the Sultan’s speech concluded.

Dr. Madiha Ahmed Al Shaibani, Minister of Education affirmed that the Sultanate of Oman is committed to its pledge to protect the environment and preserve its resources. For this purpose, Oman adopts a comprehensive policy that ensures placing the environment on top of priorities of development plans, she added.

The minister made the statement when handing over the UNESCO-Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Preservation to winners at the behest of His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik today on the sidelines of the 41st session of the UNESCO’s general conference convened in Paris.

During the conferment ceremony, Dr. Madiha conveyed the greetings of His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik to the conferees, along with His Majesty’s wishes for the success of the 41st session of UNESCO general conference.

Source: Oman News Agency