H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, stated in a press statement issued for the UAE's celebration of the 19th National Environment Day that the steadfast dedication and support for environmental management and advancement efforts by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Their Highnesses the Members of the Supreme Council, Rulers of the Emirates, and H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, have made a positive influence on broader relevant initiatives. This impact is evident today, with the environmental measurement of all development plans now being valued and taken full advantage of, thus continuously improving the country's position on the global map.

He mentioned that the National Environment Day released 19 years ago is a vital turning point in local ecological efforts. The annual celebration declares the Ministry's commitment to promote environmental protection and advancement and highlights important problems for addition in the nationwide program. These objectives form part of UAE Vision 2021 and the federal and city governments' techniques.

H.E. expressed his appreciation and gratitude to H.H. the UAE President, stating that the sensible leader's support has actually changed the occasion into a nationwide celebration to motivate greater involvement from society.

H.E. continued: "We commemorate this year's National Environment Day under the style 'The Green Economy: Development and Sustainability' a couple of days after the retreat on the UAE's post-oil economy. The idea of the green economy, which depends primarily on creativity and innovation, will be an essential element of our financial policy for the country's post-oil development stage embraced by our wise leadership.".

"The last directions and efforts suggested during the retreat will be included into the integrated UAE post-oil strategy, which will be right away released by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The method will provide added assistance to our nationwide efforts to shift to a sustainable green economy. It is our vision making the UAE a state that has actually effectively 'transformed its economy from dependence on natural deposits to dependence on the abilities and minds of its individuals' as stated by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the end of the retreat," he added.

With respect to the key development made in the application of the UAE's green development method, the Minister discussed that 2015 saw important accomplishments for the effort such as the establishment of systems, indicators and top priorities for the execution, preparation and adoption of relevant significant programs by the Council of Ministers. The Emirates Green Advancement Council and its nationwide committees were also formed last year.

Last year, the first file on the green economy was launched in the UAE to discuss the nation's development to a more sustainable financial framework in addition to the pioneering research on local green investment and the banking and finance sectors. In addition, a series of national conferences on financial investment chances, green financial investments and procurement, and national human capability building in green finance was organized.

"Coinciding with the National Year of Innovation, a wide range of tasks and efforts for relevant areas was introduced in 2015. The Emirates Green Development Council, in particular, has developed a green program with a portfolio of 96 efforts and tasks established in accordance with the development plans of more than 50 worried federal and local authorities. We have actually discussed this in our second nationwide credit report provided last month on the state of the country's green economy.".

"In the final year of the three-year campaign cycle designed for the National Environment Day celebration, we will concentrate on sustainability which represents the 3rd aspect of the program's motto. The concept of sustainability was highlighted by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in his speech during the National Environment Day celebration last year. He said, 'Green and sustainable management of the economy intends to conserve natural deposits, maintain heritage, make sure the wellness, health and stability of each person, and protect the fundamental rights of future generations by safeguarding them from waste and attrition,'" H.E. Bin Fahad stated.

He included: "We will begin this year's occasion with the introducing of the 'Sustainability is a Lifestyle' initiative as part of the national strategy to educate, raise ecological awareness, and promote positive ecological habits among the public. It also intends to help attain the environmental goals and targets of UAE Vision 2021, the National Agenda, and the UAE's green development technique.

At the end of his statement, the Minister commended the efforts of all relevant national authorities in improving the nation's green economy efforts. He highlighted that the combination of policies and programs amongst different local stakeholders, the private sector's broad involvement, and society's growing sense of duty make up the primary pillars of the ongoing procedure towards nurturing a green economy and turning the Emirates Green Development Council's strategic objectives into a fact.

H.E. highlighted the requirement for awareness on the challenges in addition to requirements in establishing an economy that is 'not depending on oil or vagaries of the marketplace' as referred to by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.