Bahrain and UK sign biodiversity and marine pollution deal

Agencies | London               

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

In the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on biodiversity and marine pollution.

It was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, on behalf of Oil and Environment Minister, Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Daina, and Tim Green, the Deputy Chief Executive of UK-based Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas).

The MoU aims to create a framework of action between Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) and Britain’s Cefas by allowing them to explore areas of cooperation in monitoring the environment, marine life, climate change sciences, marine food security, biodiversity and safety from pollution.

Under the MoU, the two sides will also be able to exchange scientific and technical information, visits, training, research and cooperative projects, in addition to enhancing and developing the capabilities of their cadres and laboratories.

It will also help them to protect and monitor natural marine resources in the region, and to provide technical advice. Commenting, Dr, Bin Daina affirmed the role played by the UK in protecting the environment at the global level.

He highlighted the robust long-standing Bahrain-UK relations, noting that the MoU reflects the two kingdoms’ keenness to step up their joint cooperation and coordination in the environmental field by providing a framework for action in the fields of monitoring the environment and marine life.

Global peace and security

Dr Al Zayani, met the Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and United Nations at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Lord Tariq Ahmad.

The meeting was on the sidelines of HRH Prince Salman’s visit to the UK. The Ambassador of Bahrain in London, Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, and the UK Ambassador to Bahrain, Roddy Drummond, attended the meeting.

Dr. Al Zayani and Lord Tariq discussed longstanding Bahrain-UK ties and developing ties, in addition to cooperation spanning the political and economic fields to serve common interests.

They also reviewed the impact of regional and international developments on global peace and security, as well as Mideast disputes and crises and efforts to achieve security and stability in the region.