Young environmentalists from across the GCC are meeting at a major forum in Bahrain in a bid to raise awareness on the importance of having "green" policies and legislation in the region.

The sixth annual GCC Environmental Youth Forum opened yesterday (July 1) at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence and Spa and was held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad's personal representative Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The week-long event focuses on three fundamental elements - the youth, GCC unity and environmental education.

Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife director-general Dr Adel Al Zayani emphasised the importance of environmental development in collaboration with social, economic, political, educational and industrial sectors.

"With the youths of the GCC we strive for continuing environmental development through the efforts of the Environmental Information and Awareness Committee," he added.

"As we have learned from the environmental conference held in Rio De Janeiro in Brazil two weeks ago, that the youth and society are the main effective component of a developing and healthy environment."

Participants will be educated on essential aspects of maintaining an environmentally friendly culture through a series of programmes, including visits to Bahrain National Museum, historical houses in Muharraq, GPIC, Bahrain International Circuit, Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve in Sakheer, Lost Paradise of Dilmun, Al Daar Islands and King Fahad Causeway among others.

They will also benefit from activities by the Global Observation to Benefit the Environment programme at the Education Ministry.

"Our aim is to develop the spirit of team work and community service among the youth," said GCC council consultant Adel Bastaki.

More than 150 youths have been successfully trained in presentations and workshops since the first forum in Kuwait in 2005.

A closing ceremony will take place on Thursday at Gulf Hotel. – TradeArabia News Service