Launching of a workshop on the State of the Environment Report in Syria – Al-Baath Media

In the presence of Prime Minister Eng. Hussein Arnous, the activities of a workshop on the State of the Environment Report in Syria were launched today, in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Program and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

In his speech during the opening, Eng. Arnous stressed that the state has given great attention to the environmental issue within its development plans, policies and national strategies, as environmental sustainability is one of the strategic goals stipulated in the Syrian Vision 2030, and its goals include preserving the environment and its natural components, protecting and developing them, reducing pollution and enhancing the basic components of quality of life, by adopting the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, pointing out that preparing the first national report on sustainable development in 2019 and the second voluntary report on sustainable development for 2021 is evidence of this interest..

The Prime Minister considered that the biggest problem facing the environment is related to the misuse of natural resources and the depletion of their basic components, stressing the urgent need to monitor the phenomena of the problem, evaluate its dimensions and analyze its repercussions in light of the connection between environmental issues and the policies adopted by countries to protect these resources and rationalize their use..

“Today’s workshop is being held in a world where environmental issues have become a top priority for countries and societies, especially the effects of climate change, which have occupied and continue to occupy the minds of those interested in environmental affairs all over the world, and in Syria in particular, due to the negative repercussions of this issue on human life and activity,” said Eng. Arnous, stressing that terrorism supported by the forces of evil in the world has directly affected the nation’s capabilities, and the environment with all its components has not been spared from this evil, and unilateral sanctions and coercive measures have increased these problems and hindered recovery in various areas that affect the environment and humanity..

Eng. Arnous pointed out the importance of research and innovation to address the environmental challenges facing Syria in particular and the world in general, which is what should be worked on and sound practices should be followed for optimal investment of natural resources to ensure their sustainability, reduce sources of pollution, adapt to climate change, address land degradation, combat desertification and dust storms, by taking advantage of modern and environmentally friendly technologies, exchanging knowledge and expertise, building capacities, and setting controls and standards that enhance environmental sustainability..

The Prime Minister explained that the government provided all support to spread renewable energy through Law No. 41 of 2022 with the aim of encouraging and supporting the production of electricity through renewable energy, in addition to Law No. (30) of 2022, which includes ratification of Syria’s accession to the framework agreement to establish the International Solar Energy Alliance, and encouraged and supported the establishment of factories for the manufacture of solar panels..

He stressed that the government was and still is committed to the international environmental treaties it has ratified, and shares the global effort in the responsibility to protect the global environment, in addition to the intensive efforts made at the national level aimed at protecting the environment and the health of citizens, overcoming the repercussions of the war on Syria in a way that achieves Syria’s goals in protecting and preserving the environment, in order to guarantee for us and for future generations a safer and more prosperous future..

Engineer Arnous pointed out that the environment is one of the most important issues ever, in light of the clear conviction of everyone about the occurrence of climate change at the level of all countries. In this context, the efforts of the sisterly United Arab Emirates come to organize a global conference on the environment next month to discuss the environmental issue, as it currently occupies various countries of the world..

Eng. Arnous concluded his speech by saying: What the State of the Environment Report for the period 2010-2021 included in describing the status of ecosystems and natural resources requires all national entities to include in their annual plans what stems from the matrix of basic trends included in the report, especially since it was completed by a specialized scientific team and with joint efforts from all ministries and relevant entities from academics and governmental and community experts, in partnership with representatives of international organizations with whom we hope to continue our partnership in securing the necessary funding to address the environmental issues included in the report..