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UAE 'can become the Singapore of Mideast'

Speaking to Khaleej Times during a brief stay in Dubai while on his way to attend the Asia Pacific Forum for Environment and Development (APFED), Dr Salim urged the leaders of the UAE to act as a bridge between the Middle East and the Asian region through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"This can be done through a frank dialogue as ASEAN and the President, His Highness Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan have the same vision," noted the former president of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme.

Speaking about sustainable development with regard to the environment, Dr Salim said that oil was polluting the environment. "After 20 to 30 years of oil emissions, the world's climate will change, more so the tropical region and the countries on the equator will be affected the most. Thirty years hence, my nation, too will suffer from this pollution," he said, voicing his concern.

Presenting a solution, Dr Salim said that renewable energy could help solve the problem. "The UAE can make use of solar, wave power and marine power which it has in abundance," he said.

The key is human resource development and skills, which both the UAE and Indonesia can utilise to work together to promote the region, he said.

Justifying his stance, Dr Emil further said that for the next 30 years, Asia would remain the main locomotive engine of development for global growth.

Speaking about his dialogue at the APFED, Dr Salim said though the 20th century had witnessed economic growth, it had also seen social upheavals and environmental pollution.

"The 21st century will witness economic, social and environmental development all together," he predicted.

Dr Salim also said that water was another main issue to be discussed at the forum, in addition to renewable energy and issues of air pollution.

He said that the UAE's 3.5 million people have a per capita income of $2,000, which is 10 times greater than that in Indonesia. "While this is a blessing, it is a cause of concern too," he said.

"During the generation of Shaikh Zayed, the resources were not so great, but I fear that the present generation will be spoilt as it does not have a future as oil is deemed the main source of global change," he said.

Speaking about the yearly fires in Indonesia's tropical rain forest that also affected the environment, Dr Salim said that after the September 20 elections, several hanging issues would be addressed.

Commenting on the passage of Indonesia's skilled labour in the UAE, Dr Salim noted that the unskilled labour considered the UAE as a stepping-stone towards Makkah and performing Haj.

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