Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Tehran, SANA- Assistance of Minister of Local Administration and Environment for Environment Affairs Mu’taz Douh Ji said that the unjust war waged against Syria over the past years caused the deterioration of the economic, social and environmental circumstances and the weakness of readiness and response to the natural disasters, including alleviating the impacts of climate which led to a large deterioration in these systems and the increase of pollution.
This came during Douh Ji ‘s speech at the International Conference on Combating Sand and Dust Storms (SDSs) kicked off in Tehran on Saturday.
Douh Ji added that the war on Syria led to decreasing the ratio of implementing the governmental plans and programs aiming at land reclamation, and projects of anti-desertification and dunes stabilization, pastoral and natural reserves and rehabilitation of pasture which are deteriorated due to the terrorist acts of sabotage.
He pointed out that the earthquake that struck the country last February took place in a time when the country was facing several difficulties in getting access to advanced technology which meet the Advanced environmental standards due to unjust blockade imposed on Syria.
He stressed that despite of these challenges, Syria has expressed its commitment to the international conventions and treaties that it ratified, 35 international agreements, particularly the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Paris Agreement, and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
The Syrian Government has included in its annual policies, priorities and plans reducing climate impacts and moving towards sustainable development through carrying out several projects in this regard.
Douh Ji indicated that the Syrian Government has accomplished several projects and activities, in regard with, combating desertification, mainly the national plan for combating desertification in 2002 and a number of projects related to al-Badia, like the projects of Dune stabilization and the project of empowerment of local communities in al-Badia.
Douh Ji added that the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment has also completed, in cooperation with the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and the National concerned bodies, the indicators of land deterioration and desertification.
He reiterated that the Syrian Government stresses the regional work plane proposed by Iran for cooperation among the countries of the region for combating and mitigate the impact of dust and sandstorms.
He highlighted Syria’s proposals in the conference on the establishment of a regional center for monitoring the dust and sandstorms and early warning on them in addition to Syria’s support to carry out the necessary projects to tackle this negative cross-border environmental phenomenon.
Concluding his speech at the conference, Douh Ji said that Syria’s strategy led by President Bashar al-Assad is based on the basis of just and comprehensive peace which is considered the base of enhancing efforts to achieve the sustainable development.
Hala Zain
