In a message to mark the World Habitat Day, designated by the United Nations on the first Monday of October every year, and which will be celebrated this year under the theme “Cities and Climate Change”, HRH the Premier said: “We live within an imbalanced ecosystem that is influenced by the level of progress achieved by people.”
“If the world doesn’t respond quickly and collectively, the price which will be paid by the international community will be high in the future,” he warned.
“Unplanned urban development, will itself pose an influential environmental burden causing health hazards due to air pollution,” he added urging the international community to rally efforts and take measures to face potential dangers caused by climate change.
He called for massive international coordination to achieve balance between sustainable urban development and a clean environment.
He also emphasized the need to map out long-term strategies, to be implemented gradually, to avert environmental risks and their impact on sustainable development.
“Bahrain accords the habitat issues and sustainable urban development growing concern for they represent an essential element in the kingdom’s comprehensive development process spearheaded by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa,” HRH the Premier asserted citing measures taken by the government to protect the environment and wild life.
“The Kingdom has attributed special concern for climate change due to its international aspect,” he said pointing out the repercussions of the problem on achieving the millennium’s development goals.
He said Bahrain has present and future schemes to activate the use of environment-friendly technology and adopt systems that take into consideration the environment in all its development projects.
“Bahrain has been able to achieve the eight millennium goals for 2010, in line with international criteria. Yet, our aspirations still continue in this regard to ensure citizens’ welfare,” he stressed.
He also underscored the Kingdom’s commitment to tackling environmental issues and their impact on people’s life citing 2009 conference on reducing disasters which was hosted by Bahrain and during which the UN first report on curbing disasters was inaugurated.
“We have lived this year vivid examples of what natural disasters, linked to climate change, could do,” he affirmed adding that the huge amounts of money spent on tackling the repercussions of natural disasters like floods and drought, which swept many countries causing substantial material and human losses, could have been invested to boost people’s welfare.
“Urban change, cities expansion and providing top-quality services for people, is a goal to which governments are devoting all their potentials and resources. However, protecting these achievements from existing dangers should preoccupy the whole world and drive it to take immediate action against threats to mankind’s present and future,” HRH the Premier said.
“Tackling climate change needs a real change in life styles and without cooperation, challenges will put the future of our planet and the posterity at stake,” he added stressing the need for all major countries to sign Kyoto Protocol to fight global warming.
“Every party must assume its responsibility in protecting the environment courageously and apart from any political considerations,” he emphasized.