عقدت وزارة البيئة والمياه لقاءا موسعا مع مشغلي الكسارات والمحاجر بالدولة The Ministry of Environment and Water held an open meeting with the operators of crushers and quarries in the country and federal and local authorities that are concerned with the oversight in the field, chaired by H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmad bin Fahad, the Minister of Environment and Water, at the presence of Dr. Saif Al Ghais, the CEO of the Environmental Protection and Development in Ras Al Khaimah, Eng. Ali Qassem, the Director of Fujairah Natural Resources Establishment, Mr. Sultan Alwan, the Assistant Undersecretary of External Audit, a number of officials from the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Labor, and the Ministry of Economy, in addition to a number of officials from the Ministry of Environment and Water.

   This meeting comes in the framework of the ministry's interest to continue to strengthen the partnership and cooperation between it and the authorities involved in controlling and over-sighting of quarries and crushers industry, and owners and operators of establishments that are in the crushers and quarries sector. During the meeting, common issues were discussed with the operators, owners and authorities to find ways for improving their performance in line with the UAE Vision 2021, and a presentation of the strategic plans of the Ministry and its initiatives that are related to the crushers and quarries sector was given in order to integrate efforts to improve the functionality of environmental work to go along with the legislative regulations that would achieve the desired balance between the requirements of development and environmental considerations.

   At the beginning of the meeting, H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmad bin Fahad welcomed the stakeholders and partners, explaining that the issue of environmental protection and development is one of the main topics that has received the great interest of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan -may Allah protect him-, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, -may Allah bless him-, and this interest is evident in the programs and development plans with all its various dimensions; where the government has worked on achieving balance between pursuing economic and social revival, and maintaining the environment in an experience which confirms the success of a sustainable development model. Thus, the country has achieved a wide range of goals in the field of environmental protection, including improvements to institutional and legislative frameworks, regulations, strategies, and environmental action plans; making the UAE occupies a prominent place in this field, regionally and internationally.

   Bin Fahad praised the role played by the federal and local authorities in monitoring the application of the legislation issued by the government in the field of regulating crushers and quarries, which plays an important role in supporting economic growth, especially in the field of infrastructure, which has great interest by our wise leadership. His Excellency also praised the efforts made ​​by the operators and owners of crushers and quarries in the past few years to adjust the positions of their facilities in line with the provisions of the legislative regulations in the UAE, particularly the Council of Ministers Resolution 20 (2008) and the guidelines issued by the ministry, which there application was clearly reflected in the improved performance - on an environmental level- of many enterprises operating in the quarries and crushers sector by minimizing the negative impacts of the industry.

   His Excellency has noted as well, that the resolution of the Council of Ministers on tightening control on crushers and quarries that are generating dust and emissions, will be preceded by significant environmental and economic developments as a result of the application of the UAE Strategy for Green Development announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and the Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai –may Allah bless him-, at the beginning of this year under the slogan "Green Economy for Sustainable Development". This national strategy will establish a new stage in the development process of the UAE, where the Ministry of Environment and Water will work in the context of its commitment to implement this strategy by developing a range of programs, policies, and plans to reach the goals of sustainable development and environmental security, and to improve the quality of life in the country, and will include the development of guidelines governing the work of crushers and quarries, and a system for environment, health and safety in accordance with the basic principles of the green economy approach.

   Bin Fahd added, that the requirements of the next stage are needed to be taken into consideration, and to take the necessary steps to enhance the chances of crushers and quarries sector  success; by the engagement in the green economy approach, which represents a major route of sustainable development paths that the government is looking forward to achieve their goals, stressing on the ministry readiness to provide all the help and support for enterprises working in this sector.

  During the meeting, a visual presentation on the current status of the environmental control on quarries and crushers industries in the country was shown, and the ministry's future plan related to this sector to support its development plans , to preserve the environment and natural resources, and to achieve the goals of sustainable development, through the development of new regulations according to international best practices including guidelines for the health and safety system, which will include health and safety rules to be followed during the operation of quarries and crushers.

   There was an open discussion in the meeting, where observations and opinions of representatives of strategic partners were expressed. Participants expressed the importance of such meetings which play an important role in improving the performance, achieving of common goals, and contributing to the upgrading of strategic relations which shall serve the public interest and community services, demanding the continuous conduction of such meetings, since they have a tremendous role in the achievement of common goals.

   At the end of the meeting, the Minister thanked all those who were present for their participation in the open day and for their fruitful contribution to enrich the debate, by expressing their opinions, suggestions, and their positive interaction with the topics under discussion. He also called for concerted efforts and for raising the level of performance to the level that required by the leadership.