UAE President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has called on society to contribute positively in preserving the environment.

As part of National Environment Day celebrations for the 18^th year in a row, Sheikh Khalifa said: "We pay much interest to the National Environment Day when, through official and public efforts, we shed light on the environment and give importance to the issue. National Environment Day is an important occasion when the UAE Government and people renew their national and moral commitment to preserve our environmental resources."

Sheikh Khalifa asked the officials to reform economic policies and legislation to help monitor human, urban and industrial activities that lead to an increase of carbon emissions and pollution and give importance to economic activities that restrict global warming and do not threaten the UAE?s biodiversity. The slogan on National Environment Day is "Green Economy Innovation and Sustainability".

He said "The management of the economy's green sustainability aims at preserving the environmental and heritage resources, protection of our daily lives and securing all factors that contribute to prosperity, health and stability of every individual, as well as ensuring protection of the rights of the coming generations."

Dr Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, stressed the importance of innovation in achieving sustainability and a "Green Economy". He also highlighted the ministry's activities in focusing on renewable and clean energy, green buildings, sustainable transport and the efficient use of resources."The Green Economy is an innovative concept whose success largely depends on the use of innovative tools, practices and solutions to overcome the world's growing environmental and economic challenges," he said.

At the end of his speech, Shaikh Khalifa praised the efforts from the participating individuals, institutions and departments in organisation and success of the event, urging all segments of society to contribute towards preserving the environment.