The Ministry of Environment and Water has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the authorities of the emirates of Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain. The agreements cover the implementation of the Ministry’s ‘Integrated Waste Management’ project, which includes the construction of waste treatment plants and efforts directed towards converting wastes into energy. The MOUs were signed during the recently concluded 3rd meeting of the Coordinating Council for Municipalities 2015 at Ajman Saray Hotel.
The memorandums was signed by His Excellency Abdel Rahim Mohammed Al Hammadi, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Environment & Water, and representatives from each emirate like Mohammed Saif Al Afkham, Director-General of Fujairah Municipality; Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Hammadi, Director-General of Public work Department in Ras Al Khaimah; H.E. Yahya Ibrahim Al-Reyaysa, Director General of the Department of Ajman Municipality and Planning.
The signing of the agreements is part of the Ministry’s efforts to promote its strategic partnerships with the relevant authorities of the emirates of Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Ajman to implement the ‘Integrated Waste Management’ project, which is aimed at providing an integrated, sustainable, environment-friendly solution via the efficient collection of municipal solid waste in the UAE in a safe and efficient way.
The MoUs aim to define the roles and responsibilities for the implementation of the project in compliance with the directives of the wise leadership to strengthen effective coordination and integration between federal and local authorities. The move represents a cornerstone of Vision 2021 by transferring 75 per cent of municipal solid waste from landfills by 2021 as agreed by the parties to cooperate and coordinate for the success of the Integrated Waste Management project and contribute to the solution of the solid waste treatment in the UAE. Lastly, the newly signed agreements are expected to play a key role in the training and development of UAE citizens while also encouraging them to contribute significantly to the management of the project after the completion of its implementation and operation phase.