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‘Environment will be a Focal Point’

DUBAI - There will be added dimensions to the ongoing fifth civil society meetings in Dubai — Forum for the Future UAE 2008, according to a spokesperson of the Dubai based sessions.

These meetings which have attracted a record number of participants, are in line with the fifth Forum for the Future to be held in Abu Dhabi, on Saturday and Sunday.

Environment is one of the focal points for discussion at the Dubai sessions.

“The participation for this year’s Forum for the Future has increased remarkably. There are more than 20 countries attending the landmark event in Dubai,” Habib Al Sayegh, spokesperson for the Forum for the Future, chairman of the media committee and managing editor of Al Khaleej Arabic newspaper, told Khaleej Times on Wednesday.

“More than 38 countries will be taking part in the Abu Dhabi meetings. We have more than 200 representatives of the society including 140 from abroad. We have the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Europe, Pakistan and Afghanistan well represented,” Al Sayegh said.

“Sixty representatives will forward recommendations during the meetings where senior officials and ministry under-secretaries will be present on Saturday in the Forum for the Future in Abu Dhabi,” he added.

The same recommendations will be discussed at the meetings with the foreign ministers of the 38 participating countries on Sunday.

Despite the large number of participants, efforts will be made for the associations to form a core group that will jointly present the ideas and proposals.

The prominent associations and foundations taking part in the forum, are the Emirates Association for Human Rights, Red Crescent, journalists association, jurists association, teachers association and the Emirates Association for Consumer Protection.

mary@khaleejtimes.com