Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Discusses Enhancing Cooperation in Municipal and Agricultural Sectors with UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment

His Excellency Engineer Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, emphasized the deep brotherly ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, noting the continuous development of these relations, supported by the care and attention of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.

This came during a meeting between the Minister and Dr. Amina bint Abdullah Al-Dhahak Al-Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the United Arab Emirates, where they discussed several mutual topics related to the municipal and agricultural sectors during His Excellency's visit to the UAE.

The two sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in municipal work, focusing on enhancing collaboration in building regulation and the monitoring of construction violations, as well as exchanging experiences in relevant regulatory fields.

His Excellency the Minister and his UAE counterpart also explored opportunities for collaboration in the development and implementation of smart city management systems. They discussed enhancing mutual cooperation on afforestation and urban beautification initiatives, as well as exchanging expertise in the establishment and development of agricultural nurseries."

The minister was briefed on the roles and responsibilities of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment regarding the regulation, management, and operation of central and seasonal markets. He commended the ministry's efforts in providing sustainable services and enhancing the local environment.

On the agricultural front, the two sides discussed the plan for planting 'Ghaf' trees and other local species, as well as exchanged experiences regarding the Plant Genetic Resources Center and the UAE’s experience in date production and processing.

During the visit, H.E also conducted several field visits to gain firsthand insights into the UAE’s practices in various shared fields, including a visit to the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in Dubai. This research center focuses on developing innovative agricultural solutions to address food and water security challenges in arid and semi-arid regions and is a leader in finding sustainable agricultural solutions for global food security, particularly in areas facing water scarcity and high salinity.

Additionally, he visited "Bee'ah" in Sharjah, a company specializing in waste management and environmental sustainability, the Plant Genetic Resources Center, and "Silal" Food and Technology Company, alongside a visit to the Dubai Municipality.

H.E praised the remarkable development the UAE has witnessed across various sectors, particularly in environmental protection, climate change mitigation, local food production enhancement, waste reduction, and sustainable urban planning. He expressed his eagerness for continued cooperation between the two countries, which will undoubtedly benefit both nations and their people.

Accompanying the Minister during his visit to the UAE were Sheikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Undersecretary for Municipal Affairs, and Engineer Asem Abdul Latif Abdullah, Undersecretary for Agricultural and Animal Wealth Affairs.