Environment forum lauds Abdullah on green initiatives

Participants in the second Gulf Environment Forum, which concluded in Jeddah on Monday, presented a green tree effigy to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah in appreciation of his efforts in the protection of energy and on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of his ascent to the throne. The gift was received on behalf of the king by Prince Turki bin Nasser, head of the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME). Thirty-five speakers, 45 policy makers and 1,500 experts and researchers took part in the forum. They said in various press statements that King Abdullah has set a marvelous example of the leaders who are deeply concerned about the progress of their country and the prosperity of their people. “King Abdullah is one of the distinguished world leaders who is characterized by wisdom, fortitude, tolerance and patience and who has opened wide doors for dialogue for the safety, stability and progress of the peoples of the world,” said the former US congresswoman and presidential candidate of the Green Party Cynthia McKinney. She said under his wise leadership, the Kingdom has made quantum leaps in reforms. “I will never forget his words while talking to his people when he said he wanted to preserve part of the oil wealth for the future generations,” she said. McKinney described the king as a lovable Arab and Islamic character. Deputy director and head of the department for nuclear energy of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Alexander Bychkov said the king had led his people to the age of science and civilization. “King Abdullah has opened wide doors for the Kingdom to be a leading nation in the world. He has brought researchers and experts to exchange visions about nuclear energy and also about the dangers and challenges facing the world,” he said, citing the convening of the forum as an example of the king’s farsightedness. Adviser to the secretary general for climate change in the Arab League Fatima Al-Mallah said King Abdullah had drawn the future plan for his country and people when he put the interests of the people at the top of his priorities and agenda. “The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has put the pillars of a modern country which is capable of dealing with the political, economic and social changes currently being witnessed by the world,” she said. Professor of environmental engineering at the Memorial University in Canada Tahir Hussain said King Abdullah is a man who loves science and scientists. “This alone is enough to make the Kingdom a country of science, civilization, progress, achievements and excellence,” he said. Prince Nawaf, on his part, said the reforms made by the king were a source of pride for the Saudi people. “These reforms set the stage for an important phase in the history of our country and make us more optimistic about the future,” he added. Coordinator of scientific cooperation at King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, Abdul Ghani Milibari said King Abdullah’s reign witnessed a number of scientific accomplishments including the establishment of the city. From Arab News