Manama: The Supreme Council for Environment (SCE), in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), held a regional workshop on Advancing Environmental Data Governance to Support Decision-Making in West Asia. The event was attended by Amna Hamad Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the SCE, and His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Deputy Chief Executive of the SCE.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Al Rumaihi highlighted the Kingdom's focus on enhancing environmental governance through the development of data management systems that align with international best practices. This initiative aims to improve the efficiency of both national and regional policies related to the environment.
Al Rumaihi pointed out that these efforts are part of the Kingdom's broader commitment to supporting joint environmental action and establishing reliable data systems. These systems are intended to facilitate evidence-based decision-making in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and international environmental agreements.
She further mentioned that the workshop serves as a key platform for the exchange of expertise and regional cooperation on environmental data. The goal is to create practical mechanisms for addressing challenges in data collection, organisation, and analysis. Al Rumaihi expressed optimism that joint action will help countries in the region develop more integrated and consistent databases, boosting their capacity to make effective decisions that meet national priorities and support sustainable development.
Abdul-Majeid Haddad, Regional Coordinator of UNEP in West Asia, stated that the workshop is a foundational step towards a regional initiative aimed at strengthening environmental data governance. He underscored the necessity of developing a common understanding of the importance of accurate data in supporting sustainable environmental policies.
The workshop tackled key themes such as the fundamental concepts of environmental data management and the challenges related to its collection, organisation, documentation, and analysis. It also explored ways to harmonise methods and approaches among institutions to ensure cohesive efforts.
Additionally, the workshop provided an opportunity to enhance regional dialogue on practical solutions and share experiences. This collaboration aims to identify national priorities and develop joint regional pathways for environmental data governance.