Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
analysis about priority concerns. These priorities have been focused on improving market
access, enhancing competitiveness and ensuring the mutual supportiveness of trade-
related MEA and the multilateral trading system. Emerging issues of concern to Arab
countries also include trade in hazardous, harmful and illicit goods that can adversely
a
ect the environment and human health. This challenge was initially raised within the
context of increasing production and consumption patterns, and managing associated
waste streams. However, developing countries, including those in the Arab region, still do
not have the legal framework, regulatory enforcement mechanisms or appropriate tech-
nologies to dispose of these hazardous materials. The problem is being multiplied by the
import of poor-quality goods, short-lived electronic items and second-hand goods that
are no longer accepted by northern markets. Increasing investment in environmental ser-
vices will thus be needed to mitigate this solid waste problem, as well as manage chemical
and industrial waste generated from new industries.
Climate change is also an important challenge facing Arab policy-makers, given the
region's vulnerability to climate change impacts generated by unsustainable production
and consumption patterns. Apart from the evident impacts on freshwater quantity and
quality, disease vectors moving northward from Sub-Saharan Africa due to temperature
increase are already threatening some of the region's least developed countries. Land
degradation is also being exacerbated, which is fueling rural to urban migration, unem-
ployment, threats to food security and the loss of biodiversity. Warmer climates in Europe
also impact growth in the Arab tourism and real-estate sector, with some countries noting
concern that Europeans may start staying home rather than enjoying the sunny land-
scapes of the Southern Mediterranean and the Gulf. Climate change can thus have impor-
tant implications for trade and investment in goods and services, as well as for the region's
sustainable development.
Arab countries thus need to identify their strategic interests, assess their vulnerabilities,
strengthen institutions and forge coalitions at the national, regional and international
levels on shared policy goals in order to strengthen their position and secure bene
ff
fi
ts from
integrated trade and environment policy-making.
Notes
*
The views expressed in this chapter are those of the author and do not necessarily re
fl
ect the views of the
United Nations.
1.
19th Regular Session of CAMRE, 6 December 2007, Resolution 273, Article 4.6.1.
2.
See WTO, 'Energy taxation, subsidies and incentives in OECD countries and their economic and trade
implications on developing countries, in particular developing oil producing and exporting countries -
Submission by Saudi Arabia to the Committee on Trade and Environment and the Committee on Trade
and Environment Special Session', WT/CTE/W/215; TN/TE/W/9, 23 September 2002.
3.
United Nations (2002),
Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development
.Johannesburg, South
Africa, 26 August - 4 September 2002, New York, A/CONF.199.20.
4.
League of Arab States (2002), 'The Sustainable Development Initiative in the Arab Region', p. 4.
5.
14th Regular Session of CAMRE, 24 October 2002, Article 2.2.
6.
15th Regular Session of CAMRE, adopted 9 December 2003, Resolution 190Q, Article 3.
7.
13th Regular Session of CAMRE, adopted 18 October 1999, Resolution 125Q. The recommendation was
reiterated in subsequent CAMRE resolutions, including the 18th Regular Session of CAMRE (Algiers, 20
December 2006, Resolution 252, Article 2.2) and the 19th Regular Session of CAMRE (Cairo, 6 December
2007, Resolution 273, Article 4.5.2).
8.
19th Regular Session of CAMRE, 6 December 2007, Resolution 273, Article 4.5.2.
9.
It is interesting to note that the Ministry of Foreign A
airs plays the leading convening role in national
trade and environment committees in Finland, Canada and other developed countries established to coor-
dinate national policy positions prior to participation in international forums. This is not the case, however,
ff
