The third Gulf Environment and Sustainable Development Forum (GEF) entitled “Green Economy and Green CSR” kicks off at the Jeddah Hilton Sunday under the patronage of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. A delegation from the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources headed by Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Salman, Assistant Minister of Petroleum, will be participating in the three-day event. The minister, in his inaugural speech, is expected shed some light on the importance of green and sustainable resources of energy. He will also chair a special session to talk about the effects of carbon emissions and the climate changes and its effect on the industrial development. The deputy executive director of the Saudi Environment Society (SENS) Majeda Aburas said that the inauguration by Prince Abdul Aziz reflects the commitment and interests of the ministry to support the activities related to the environmental development and Corporation Social Responsibility (CSR) in the field of environment and sustainability. She said that the Forum which is supervised by the Presidency of Metrology and Environment (PME) and organized by SENS will see this year in its 3rd edition around 50 local and international speakers in addition to decision makers, ministers and experts in the field of environment and sustainable development. A large number of local and regional organizations and institutions will convene to discuss some 30 key issues concerning with the green economy, renewable types of energy including the solar, nuclear and wind power in addition to the municipal management of waste. She said that the GEE-2012 will tackle the hazardous industrial, medical and electronic waste and the ways of how to work on recycling these kinds of waste and convert them into a useful resource of energy. “The speakers will also focus on the efforts made by the Saudi government to work out the best possible solution to water crisis,” she said. Aburas said that the GEE along with the accompanying exhibition which is managed by BMI Global Group, is regarded as a unique and ultimate platform for industry experts and veterans of renewable energy to exchange their expertise for the establishment of sustainable and environmental responsibility and ecological vision which can benefit the generations to come. “We expect some 3000 visitors over this third edition of GEF especially when we enhance the number of exhibitors to more than 100 from both public and private sectors in addition to some sectors of framework serving the CSR,” she said. __
