The Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) will debate a report on transitioning to the green economy being prepared by AFED experts. At its upcoming annual conference on Oct. 27-28 in Beirut, the experts put forward various options for social and economic development, while preserving the natural balance and resources sustainability. The report follows the publication of three reports, Arab Environment: Future Challenges in 2008, Impact of Climate Change on Arab Countries in 2009 and Water: Sustainable Management of a Scarce Resource in 2010, which were highly acclaimed and became the main credible reference on the state of Arab environment. AFED's Secretary General Najib Saab said "the report will draw out economic, social, and environmental implications of suggested green policies, highlighting new green investment opportunities, pioneering business models and innovative solutions." The report targets eight economic sectors where "green" transitions are anticipated: energy, water, agriculture, industry, cities & green buildings, transport, tourism and waste management. A unique feature of the report will be case studies demonstrating relevant and novel green approaches in the region. The conference will examine whether the same old development policies can generate sustainability and stability in a volatile Arab world, and create productive jobs for millions of unemployed people. Saab said "the first findings of the report clearly demonstrate that transitioning to the green economy is not only an option but an obligation for the Arab region, to secure prosperity and stable development." Among speakers in the October conference are Achim Steiner, UN Under Secretary General and Executive Director of UNEP, who has championed the transition to green economy; and Brice Lalonde, coordinator of Rio+20 and former French Minister of Environment. The report on “Water: Sustainable Management of a Scarce Resource in 2010” noted that the global water crisis relates to both quantity and quality and is closely linked to the global environmental crisis and the degradation of life-supporting ecosystems. “It is a crisis of management: fragmented institutions, inadequate policies and deficient legal systems, insufficient funding for water supply and pollution control, and shortage of political will.” It further said rapid population growth in developing countries contributes to environmental degradation, and this degradation, along with inadequate water supply and sanitation services, imposes large health problems and burdensome economic costs. Water supply sources are being stretched to their limits, and many parts of the world are facing water scarcity. Sanitation facilities are either lacking or are being overloaded, and surface and groundwater pollution is increasing rapidly. By 2050 an additional 3 billion people will be born mostly in countries already suffering from water shortages, it added.
