Abu Dhabi: As part of his official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, held a meeting with Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment in the UAE. The two ministers discussed various shared topics in municipalities and agriculture.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Minister Al Mubarak emphasized the depth of the historical relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the UAE, which continue to grow under the leaderships of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. The two ministers reviewed means to enhance municipal cooperation, particularly in building inspection, mechanisms for identifying construction violations, and exchanging regulatory experience and expertise.
The meeting also reviewed means of collaboration in developing and implementing smart city management systems, joint urban afforestation and beautification projects, and knowledge sharing in the development of agricultural nurseries. Minister Al Mubarak was briefed on the role and responsibilities of the UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in managing and operating central and seasonal markets. He commended the Ministry's efforts in delivering sustainable services and enhancing the local environment.
The two ministers discussed plans to cultivate ghaf trees and other native trees and exchanged insights on the work of the Plant Genetic Resources Centre and the UAE's experience in date production and processing. Minister Al Mubarak conducted several field visits to directly explore UAE experiences in key shared areas. These included the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in Dubai, a research centre focused on developing innovative agricultural solutions for food and water security in arid and semi-arid regions. ICBA is recognized as a pioneer in sustainable agricultural practices for water-scarce environments.
He also visited BEEAH, a Sharjah-based company specializing in waste management and environmental sustainability, as well as the Plant Genetic Resources Centre, Silal Food and Technology Company, and Dubai Municipality. Minister Al Mubarak commended the progress achieved by the UAE across various sectors, particularly in environmental protection, climate change mitigation, local food production, waste reduction, and sustainable urban planning. He expressed hope for continued cooperation that would benefit both nations and their peoples.