Prince Turki Bin Nasser: Arab Countries backs global strategy to contain disasters

Geneva, June 16, SPA -- Prince Turki bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz, the
chairman of the executive bureau for the council of Arab ministers in
charge of environmental affairs, said Tuesday that the Arab countries
are keen on carrying out the international strategy for the
containment of disasters.

Prince Turki bin Nasser, who is the General President of the
Presidency of Metreology and Environment (PME), speaking at the
second international forum on disasters here today, said the
convening of the forum embodies the keenness of the international
community to contain the menace of disasters.

He pointed out that the Arab region is facing the menace of natural
disasters like earthquakes, floods, volcanoes, sandy storms and other
disasters.

Prince Turki said 89 percent of the Arab region is arid or semi arid
lands that could prompt natural disasters and their repercussions.

He noted that the Arab league, in cooperation with the UN's
secretariat for international strategy for containment of disasters,
has prepared the first regional report on the progress attained in
this respect in the Arab region in 2009.

Prince Turki said the Kingdom will host the first Arab regional
forum soon and said a financial prize will be allocated for the best
practices pertaining to the containment of the disasters.

--SPA