IndyACT Launches its “Arab Climate Campaign”

Some Arab countries, like Saudi Arabia, have been hindering climate change negotiations

Beirut;18 Oct 2007 – ‘Climate change is the biggest threat to our livelihood and our Arab governments are not taking serious actions against it.’ This is what the League of Independent Activists, IndyACT, declared during the launching of its ‘Arab Climate Campaign’ in a conference held at the Radisson hotel this morning.

The conference was attended by representatives from ministries, embassies, the private sector and non-governmental organizations who are concerned about the future impacts of climate change. Speakers of this conference included the Ministry of environment, policy analysts and climate change researchers from the American University of Beirut, who asserted the importance of having a strong policy against climate change.

“Some Arab countries have also been hindering climate change negotiations”, said Wael Hmaidan, IndyACT Executive Director. “Last year, Saudi Arabia was ranked as the worst country in dealing with climate change, even worse than the United States”. He added.

Dr. Berj Hatjian, Director General of the Ministry of Environment stated, “There are no policies today in the Arab world related to Climate Change. We need to lobby, all of us, for having such policies”. While Ms. Sarine Karajerjian from the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs in the American University of Beirut announced, “There is a need to formulate better policy for climate change in our region, and there should be facilitation between the different stakeholders”.

IndyACT’s ‘Arab Climate Campaign’ is focused on making sure that the Arab public and governments engage the international community in the global debate on climate change. Early December, the world will meet in Bali, Indonesia, to discuss future actions against climate change during the 13th meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Arab countries have to push for a new global treaty to save the planet from the adverse impacts of climate change.

“Climate change is a global problem, and it can only be solved if the whole world commits to solving it,” Hmaidan declared. “We can not isolate ourselves from what is happening to this planet; all our political and economical problems in the region dwarf in comparison to the threat of climate change.”

For more information please contact:
Wael Hmaidan, IndyACT Executive Director: Tel/Fax: +961-1-362592, mobile: +961-1-506313. email: whmaidan@indyact.org

Notes:

1. The launching of the campaign is done with the support of the Heinrich Boell Foundation Middle East Office.
2. Arab Climate Campaign position statement
3. IndyACT is a league of veteran environmental, social and cultural activists working together to achieve a healthy, safe and equitable planet. IndyACT uses non-violent direct and indirect actions to create the necessary pressure or inspire the required change. IndyACT has already established regional and international campaigns on climate change, marine protection, waste management, the rights of women and youth, among others.
4. IndyACT’s “Arab Climate Campaign” is coordinated by Wael Hmaidan, who is currently the League’s Executive Director. Before becoming an IndyACT League Member, Hmaidan was Greenpeace campaigner for the Arab World, where he ran a climate change campaign for more than 3 years.