UNEP Signs New Agreement with Zayed International Foundation for the Environment

Nairobi, 29 January 2016 - The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) signed an agreement today with the Zayed International Foundation for the Environment to produce an international textbook on inclusive green economy.

UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner and the Chairman of the Higher Committee of the Zayed International Foundation for the Environment, Dr. Mohammed Ahmed bin Fahad, signed the agreement, set to run until February 2017, at UNEP's Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Zayed Foundation, which manages the most valuable international environmental award, worth US$ 1 million, will contribute US$ 100,000 towards the creation of a textbook that will give a holistic overview of green economy and its role in promoting sustainable development.

UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said: "Economic development and environmental preservation go hand-in-hand, and are at the core of the concept of an inclusive green economy. This textbook will allow this partnership to consolidate and build on the knowledge surrounding green economy practices, by disseminating theory, frameworks and best practices to those who can in turn expand on current understanding. I appreciate the substantial support of The Zayed Foundation, whose contributions continue to help accelerate the transition toward an inclusive green economy."

In a statement, Dr. Mohammed Ahmed bin Fahad, said: "The UAE is a front-runner at the international level in championing the push for a global green economy. The signing of this agreement with UNEP will help to further facilitate the process in achieving the sustainable development goals of nations committed to the green growth pathway."

"The agreement with UNEP further strengthens the Zayed International Foundation for the Environment's role in promoting a culture of environmental awareness and supports the 2016 UAE National Environment Day theme of 'The Green Economy: Innovation and Sustianbility.' Through this initiative, the Zayed International Foundation for the Environment, a torch bearer of sustainable development, seeks to strengthen the nation's position on the global innovation map."

Covering macroeconomic theory and specific sectoral policies, the textbook will provide researchers around the world with a first-of-its-kind comprehensive analytical framework for studying green economy. Enriched with regional perspectives, it will also serve as a tool for policymakers, allowing them to design enabling policies for the transition to green economy.

Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Meshgan Al Awar, Secretary General of the Zayed International Foundation for the Environment, noted: "The Zayed International Foundation for the Environment is proud to introduce this new initiative in the Year of Reading in the UAE as declared by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Reading is the foundation of a knowledge-based economy, and the knowledge imbibed from the text book will, we hope, inspire a generation who will responsible serve the society and lead the nation to a new stage of development."

Building on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2013, the current agreement seeks to deepen the partnership between the two organizations to promote sustainable development goals.

 

About the Zayed International Foundation for the Environment

Founded in 1999 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, the Zayed International Foundation for the Environment recognizes and promotes major pioneering contributions in the field of environment and sustainable development.

Every two years, the Foundation awards its prestigious environmental prize worth US$ 1 million to key decision-makers for their special contributions to environmental preservation and sustainable development. It also promotes sustainable development through propagating environmental awareness, addressing sustainability issues and conducting international and regional conferences, workshops, seminars and community activities.

Previous winners of the Zayed Award include HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, former President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea, former US President Jimmy Carter, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and former Prime Minister of Norway Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland.