Manama:Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Bin Dainah, Bahrain's Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, led the 28th meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministers Responsible for Environmental Affairs. This meeting was part of Bahrain's leadership during the 46th session of the GCC Supreme Council.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the Oil Minister stressed the importance of enhancing joint environmental efforts among GCC member states. He highlighted the need for improved coordination to protect the environment and preserve natural resources. Dr. Bin Dainah also called for addressing emerging environmental challenges and strengthening policies that support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The meeting focused on advancing GCC environmental cooperation through sharing expertise and successful practices. The ministers discussed the importance of using data and indicators to evaluate environmental programs and ensure their effectiveness and sustainability. Dr. Bin Dainah emphasized the necessity of developing joint initiatives, fostering stronger partnerships, and improving coordination among relevant authorities to achieve common objectives.
Key agenda items included reviewing recommendations from the 46th meeting of the Committee of Undersecretaries Responsible for Environmental Affairs. The ministers approved the first edition of the GCC Environmental Performance Index methodology and the initial report on GCC countries’ contributions to the Middle East Green Initiative, which will be updated biennially.
Additional approvals included updates to the convention on wildlife conservation and the adoption of a GCC program to conserve falcons and houbara bustards. The meeting also endorsed holding a biennial GCC wildlife conference, with Saudi Arabia hosting the 2027 event.
The ministers reiterated their unified stance on international negotiations for a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution and expressed opposition to a proposed carbon tax by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). They committed to mobilizing support against the carbon tax proposal.
Discussions also covered the circulation of draft regulations on substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol, with plans to complete domestic procedures for GCC Ministerial Council and Supreme Council approval.
During Bahrain's presidency, the 2026-2027 GCC Environment and Wildlife Award was launched, themed "Thriving Biodiversity for a Sustainable Gulf." The slogan "Our Nature Reserves A Pillar of Biodiversity and Sustainability" was adopted for GCC Wildlife Day on December 30 to promote environmental awareness and wildlife conservation.