PERSGA's Participation in COP18/CMP8 Gains More Significance and Importance

Doha, December 01 (QNA) -The participation of the Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) in the 18th UN Climate Change Conference (COP18/CMP8) which kicked off in Doha earlier on Monday, gains clearcut importance in view of the role it plays for the conservation of the Environment in the key vital region of the arab countries in the area. It is noted that the waters of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden are famous for their natural beauty and outstanding biological diversity. The area has gained global importance providing habitats to a significant number of unique species. The region is rich in natural resources such as fishery and tourism industries, however, anthropogenic activities are threatening the marine and coastal ecosystems of the area. Activities such as; urbanization and coastal development, industries including power and desalination plants and refineries, recreation and tourism, waste water treatment facilities, power plants, coastal mining and quarrying activities, oil bunkering and habitat modification. Climate change and sea level rise is also a fast approaching danger for low-lying areas. As a result of the growing concern for the environmental and human health the Action Plan for the Red Seas and Gulf of Aden was established in 1995 under the umbrella of the Arab League. The Jeddah-based (PERSGA) presided over by Dr. Ziad Ab Gharara ,is considered an international governmental authority run by a council of ministers who are following up the enviroment related affairs in the seven member states namely Djibouti, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen . PERSGA is the coordinating body and is involved in the implementation of the Jeddah Regional Convention and Protocol, and the Action Plan. PERSGA also has the responsibility for the development , preparation and implementation of the Strategic Action Programme (SAP) , the GEF supported, MEAs and its related activities. The Strategic Action Program (SAP) adopted the Convention for the Conservation of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Environment (Jeddah Convention) and the Protocol concerning Regional Cooperation in Combating Pollution by Oil and other Harmful Substances in Cases of Emergency in 1982 which entered into force in 1985. Two additional protocols were adopted in 2005 concerning protection form land-based activities and conservation of marine biodiversity- establishment of a regional network of protected areas. More recently another protocol concerning facilitation of movement of personnel and equipment during emergency was adopted in 2009. The organisation is dealing with a host of challenges and defiances posing the environment in the red sea and gulf of aden , the matter which requires strenuous and tireless follow-up to conserve the regional environment more better in view of the accelerating economic and tourist growth the region has witnessed in the past three decades . A lot of coastal investment projects in the countries of the region are still in the planning stage, especially in the field of oil and petrochemical industries, in addition to changes in the life style for the future generations through planning new modern cities in the coastal region. Such a speedy industrial development was associated with this rapid industrial development increase in the use of raw materials, chemicals and a significant increase in rates of energy consumption, the matter which resulted in a high rate of pollution and the emergence of hot spots. Therefore, the said authority has prepared the "Protocol for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden from land -based sources of pollution". Such a protocol provides that therein contracting parties are committed to abide by the precautionary principle and any party proved polluter should pay, stressing the need to use environmental impact assessments along with the use of the best available technologies and exemplary environmental practices, which also includes clean production technology. Future aims for PERSGA are working towards: having the region declared a Special Area (according to MARPOL 73-78); the establishment and provision of adequate number of port reception facilities; identification of ports needing improvement in cooperation with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the private sector; a regional pollution monitoring programme analysing contamination in seawater, sediments and indicator organisms; and sustainable development. Such an international governmental authority (PERSGA) has adopted a number of programs from the most important programme "Projects" or Masharea, which is based on a number of projects on the ground to be a successful model and an example to follow as an attempt to apply an integratedenvironmental management, which could benefit the countries of the region as a successful experiment process towards securing a sustainable development in the region. The execution of 'Projects' programme ,has contributed to significantly enhancing the capacity of countries in the region to achieve sustainable management of coastal and marine environments. The PERSGA has established partnerships with several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local initiatives in all the seven member States, so that partnership will not be limited in the implementation of projects on the ground, but also to provide important consulting about local issues. The International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN) is one of the most effective partenrs with PERSGA since the latter has long range partnership with the ICRAN where work is currently underway on the project to install mooring buoys in marine reserves in Sudan. Among the partners is the Food and Agriculture (FAO) of the United Nation, where the organization is currently acting in full cooperation with the PERSGA authority for the implementation of a project in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden on aquatic sources. Among the regional partners is the Arab League which has officially mandated the authority as a responsible for the implementation of the integrated management of coastal areas in the Arab world. It is noted that the ICRAN was established by the founding partners (United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), WorldFish Center, World Resources Institute (WRI), UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Center (WCMC), Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) Secretariat, Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), as a public-private response to the ICRI Call to Action, and to help implement the ICRI Framework for Action, the internationally agreed blueprint for conservation of coral reefs. ICRAN was established in 2000 with a historic grant from the United Nations Foundation (UNF). Formed in response to a Call to Action by the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), ICRAN supports the implementation, and regular review of ICRI's Framework for Action.Humans need coral reefs. Consequently, effective management that promotes the sustainable use of marine resources is critical. It is worth to mention that the ICRAN is an innovative and dynamic network of many of the world's leading coral reef science and conservation organisations. The network consolidates technical and scientific expertise in reef monitoring and management to create strategically linked actions across local, national and global scales. ICRAN is thus the first alliance to respond to conservation needs at the global scale by recognising both traditional and scientific perspectives of coral reef dynamics and respective social dependency. ICRAN has been working to build resource stewardship within communities by providing opportunities to develop the skills and tools needed to ensure the sustainable use, and the long-term vitality of coral reefs. ICRAN recognises that reefs and people are inextricably linked, and has made a commitment to improve the health of coral reefs around the world by creating opportunities for communities to take charge of their environment, helping them to develop the skills and tools needed to ensure the long-term vitality of coral reefs. Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the world's surface and yet, are among the most diverse, complex and productive ecosystems on Earth. Coral reefs provide an estimated 25% of the fish catch of developing countries, are a source of employment and leisure, and encourage the development of tourism, as well as performing vital functions in protection against storm damage and erosion. Increasing pressure on coral reefs has lead to reef degradation; is linked to the loss of economic opportunities; and is presenting growing challenges to the livelihoods of local communities. Reef degradation is associated with increasing poverty in most coral reef areas of the world, highlighting the crucial economic and social roles of coral reefs in the lives of many of the world's poorest coastal and island communities.(QNA)