Al Sambouk Issue 1. January 1996.
We will promote conservation, environmental
protection and the wise use of natural resources
throughout the region. We will act to coordinate
programmes which are occurring in different countries
to ensure that the benefits and experiences of national
Dear friends and colleagues,
programmes will be spread throughout the region. And,
we will foster the growth of each country's capacity to
So much news nowadays describes to us the poor state
assess and protect its marine environments.
of health suffered by many of the earth's seas and
We will do this by maintaining communication among
oceans: coastal areas being degraded by oil and
projects in different countries, through meetings,
chemical pollution and poor building practices; coral
workshops and conferences, and through implementing
reefs being destroyed by excessive nutrients, explosives,
specific projects and monitoring programmes. The
or siltation from unmanaged land activities; marine
PERSGA newsletter Al Sambouk is one of our vehicles
resources being over-fished relentlessly. But the news is
for achieving our aims. I invite you to read it, to use the
not all bad.
information and to comment upon it. The newsletter
In the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden we are indeed
belongs to the region and so I also invite you to send us
fortunate that the marine environment, in most places,
articles about activities which are occurring in your
remains in a healthy and pristine state. We are blessed
part of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Welcome to the
with beautiful coral reefs, with a rich and unique
first issue of Al Sambouk.
biodiversity, which are visited by people from all over
the world. Our waters contain sizeable populations of
Professor Nizar I Tawfiq
marine animals which are regarded as being endangered
Secretary General, PERSGA
and vulnerable in many parts of the world. And, our
fish stocks support significant industrial fisheries as
In This Issue of Al Sambouk:
well as coastal populations of subsistence fishermen.
Our situation is good, but we must act now to maintain
Secretary General's Welcome 1
Editorial 1
this situation, and to prevent its degradation. We do not
Cairo Declaration 2
want the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to join the ranks of
Staff of PERSGA 2
sick and dying marine environments. Many countries
PERSGA Programmes and Projects for 1996 2
border the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and the
PERSGA Regional Training Workshops 3
waters are almost totally enclosed. Damage to the
Sea to Sea Conference Report 3
marine environment in one area is likely to spread to
Environmental Training and Education
neighbouring countries.
Network in West Asia 4
ICZM Workshop in Aqaba 5
Conversely, rewards from protection and management
Socotra Island 5
will be reaped by all countries in the region, as well as
by the generations of people succeeding us.
Editorial
PERSGA has a central role to play in this. In
September 1995 the new organization was established
in Cairo, and it is called the Regional Organization for
Welcome to the first issue of Al Sambouk, the
the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea
PERSGA newsletter. Al Sambouk will be produced by
and Gulf of Aden (the title will continue to be
PERSGA, for the region. This is an important year for
abbreviated to PERSGA). The title was chosen by the
PERSGA and this newsletter will be one of the vehicles
representatives of the people of the region and I believe
by which PERSGA will undertake its work in the
the choice of the word `Conservation' in the title is
region. Each issue will contain a number of feature
significant. PERSGA's aim is to conserve the current
articles, as well as regular columns. The regular
excellent state of our shared marine environment. Our
columns will provide information about meetings,
region is experiencing considerable growth which will
workshops, conferences, and regular progress reports
bring benefits to all of us, but we must ensure that our
on significant projects. If you would like to submit a
use of the marine environment is sustainable and that
feature article for publication in the newsletter please
developments have minimal impacts.
send it, in either Arabic or English, to myself or to
Al Sambouk, Issue 1. January 1996, page 1
Al Sambouk Issue 1. January 1996.
Dr. Dirar Nasr. We will be looking to report on
BEARING in mind that the Organization, when
research projects, education and training programmes,
established, will serve part of the Arabian waters
and issues related to management in the marine
known for its strategic position and its unique natural
environment and conservation.
resources that have economic and scientific
importance;
In this first issue you will be introduced to the current
staff of PERSGA, and to the work programme we will
REFERRING to the Decision of the Arab Council of
be undertaking in the coming year. There is also an
Ministers Responsible for Environmental Affairs No.
overview of the regional training workshops which
42-DA5 dated 24 November 1993 regarding
PERSGA will be conducting throughout the year, and
welcoming the formation of the Organization as an
an account of the successful Sea to Sea Conference
organization with considerable status and confirming
recently held in Jeddah.
that the Organization, when it is formed, will be under
the umbrella of the Arab League;
PERSGA intends that this will be a useful way of
communicating to our colleagues and friends
DEEPLY appreciative of the efforts made by ALECSO
throughout the region. We welcome your comments and
in forming and nurturing PERSGA and providing
feedback on the success of this endeavour.
technical and financial support for basic needs of
specialized institutions in some PERSGA member
Dr William Gladstone
states; and further appreciative of the effective
Chief Technical Adviser and Coordinator,
cooperation with the United Nations Environment
Red Sea Regional Framework Plan, PERSGA
Programme (UNEP);
Cairo Declaration
DECLARES the formation of the Regional
Organization for the Conservation of the Environment
of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) to take its
"The Regional Organization for the Conservation of the
full responsibilities in implementing the Convention,
Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden"
the Protocol and the Action Plan, thereby discharging
(PERSGA) was officially established at a meeting in
its duties as assigned in the Convention.
Cairo in September 1995. The following declaration
(known as the Cairo Declaration) was signed:
PERSGA Staff
The Council of the Regional Organization for the
Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and
As PERSGA establishes itself as an independent
Gulf of Aden (PERSGA), which is formed of the
organization with a programme of different projects,
ministers concerned with environmental affairs in the
our staff will grow. At present the staff consists of:
contracting parties of the Regional Convention for the
Conservation of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
· Dr Nizar Tawfiq, Secretary General,
Environment ;
· Dr William Gladstone, Chief Technical Adviser and
Coordinator, Red Sea Regional Framework Plan,
NOTING that Article XVI of the above mentioned
· Dr Dirar Nasr, Assistant Coordinator, Red Sea
Convention refers to the formation of a regional
Regional Framework Plan,
organization for the conservation of the environment
· Mr Ahmed Daoud, Financial Officer,
of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden headquartered in
· Mr Jamal Fageer Abdul Rahman, Driver
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia;
RECOGNIZING that all the states of the region that
Programmes and Projects of
have signed the Convention have ratified the
Convention, the Protocol and the Action Plan;
PERSGA for 1996
CONFIRMING that the establishment of the
Organization will help in fulfilling the objectives of
Projects concerned with combating marine pollution in
the Charter of the Arab League and the Charter and
the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region were chosen in
Constitution of the Arab League Educational, Cultural
accordance with guidelines laid down in two
and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) as mentioned
documents: the Action Plan attached to the Regional
in the Convention;
Convention; and the Regional Action Plan for
Al Sambouk, Issue 1. January 1996, page 2
Al Sambouk Issue 1. January 1996.
Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-
participants with airfares, accommodation, and meals
Based Activities in cooperation with UNEP.
to attend the workshops.
Programmes concerned with combating marine
The first workshop, on `environmental impact
pollution include:
assessment', was held in Jeddah from January 13-17,
and the outcomes will be reported in the next issue of Al
(1) a feasibility study for the establishment reception
Sambouk.
facilities and a Marine Emergency Mutual Aid Centre
(MEMAC), in cooperation with the International
The second workshop, on `marine protected areas', will
Maritime Organization (IMO);
be held in Egypt during April 1996. This workshop will
(2) training of personnel from member countries in
address the selection of sites suitable as marine
responding to oil spills; and
protected areas, management plans, education and
(3) development of regional and national plans for
research, and the integration of marine protected areas
combating oil spills.
into national and regional conservation processes.
UNEP is cooperating with PERSGA on a project called
The third workshop, on `surveys and monitoring', will
Protection of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf
be held in Al Hodeyda (Yemen) in June 1996. This
of Aden: Pollution Control and Development of
workshop will review the techniques used in the two
Programmes for Coastal Zone Management and
GEF projects and introduce other PERSGA countries
National Capacity Building.
to these techniques (using field classes). An attempt will
be made to develop standardized methods for surveys
Research projects concerned with protection of the
and monitoring which could be used throughout the
marine environment from land-based activities depend
region.
mostly on technical and financial support from relevant
international organizations.
Sea to Sea Conference
A long-term programme will concentrate on the
development of information services to support
sustainable development in the region. These services
From 9 to 12 of October of 1995, Jeddah was the site
include a centralized regional, environmental database
of the Sea to Sea Conference. This was an inter-
system, and a regional library. PERSGA will start
regional conference centering on practical ways in
implementing this long-term programmes according to
which the ROPME (Arabian Gulf) and PERSGA (Red
available resources.
Sea and Gulf of Aden) Regional Organizations might
assist their member countries in achieving sustainable
PERSGA Regional Training
development of the marine environment.
Workshops
The conference was attended by nearly 150 technical
experts, national and municipal government decision
makers and members of the private and industrial
This coming year will be busy at PERSGA. We will be
sectors. Attendees came from the 12 member countries
organizing and conducting three training workshops for
of the two organizations as well as from 13 other
participants from throughout the PERSGA region. The
nations within the region and throughout the world.
workshops will cover the following topics:
Over 250 persons attended the October 9 opening
environmental impact assessment, marine protected
ceremony to hear HRH Abdul Rahman ibn Abdul Aziz,
areas, and surveys and monitoring.
Vice Minister of Defense and Aviation, officially open
PERSGA will conduct the workshops using funds
the meeting.
provided by the two Global Environment Facility
"I believe there are opportunities for positive regional
(GEF) projects, in Egypt and Yemen. The workshop
cooperation among the countries of the two
topics are particularly relevant to the two GEF projects;
organizations" said His Royal Highness, "that it is
however, a principal aim of the two GEF projects is
appropriate and important for the Gulf countries to
that the benefits from these two projects will spread
provide the Red Sea countries with the benefits from
from the host countries throughout the entire region. So
their experience in dealing with marine environmental
participants will come from throughout the region.
problems. On the other hand, international technical
Each workshop will be conducted in Arabic and led by
and financial organizations must play a significant role.
an international expert. PERSGA will provide
Companies active in the field of oil industries also have
Al Sambouk, Issue 1. January 1996, page 3
Al Sambouk Issue 1. January 1996.
great responsibilities in this respect." This call to action
Environmental Training and
was well heeded by both Regional Organizations as
well as representatives from the World Bank, UNEP,
Education Network in West Asia
UNDP and the Islamic Development Bank, who were
all represented at the meeting.
The Regional Meeting for the establishment of an
When the Regional Organizations of the Red Sea and
`Environmental Training and Education Network in
Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) and the ROPME Sea Area
West Asia' was held at Al-Ain from 18-20th November
(ROPME) agreed to convene a conference on the
1995 under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Bin
sustainable use of the marine environment, a decision
Mubarak Al-Nahyan, the Minister of Higher Education
was made that the conference should concentrate on
and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the United
opportunities for cooperation between the two Regions
Arab Emirates University. The meeting was sponsored
rather than on purely technical themes.
by the UNEP Regional Office for West Asia in
The main topics for the conference - Environmental
cooperation with the Environmental Education Training
Impacts from Oil Production, (Transport, Oil Basic
Unit (EETU) at UNEP headquarters and was hosted by
Industries with an additional sub-theme on Oil Spill
the Federal Environmental Agency in the United Arab
Preparedness and Response); Integrated Coastal Zone
Emirates University. The meeting was attended by
Management and Legal, Institutional and Financial
representatives from 12 universities and research
aspects of Sustainable Environmental Management, all
institutions, representing seven countries from the
represent major issues facing the two Regions' nations.
region. They were: Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon,
Syria, U.A.E., and Yemen. Representatives from the
In order that the attendees might share an additional
Arab Gulf Cooperation Council, the Federal
element of common ground, the conference organizers
Environmental Agency of the U.A.E., the Coordinator
commissioned a series of background papers which
of UNEP Regional Office for Latin America and the
were translated into the official languages of the two
Caribbean's Environmental Training Network and
Regional Organizations (English and Arabic) and
UNEP/ROWA were also present.
presented by the authors during the meeting.
The technical programme included two plenary lectures
The success of the Conference was reflected in the
on the establishment of a regional training network and
"Jeddah Recommendations" a series of suggested
the need for environmental training strategies in West
actions for the two Regional Organizations, national
Asia. Other papers discussed the historical background
and municipal governments, private sector and
on the formation of an Environmental Training
scientific organizations. PERSGA has already begun to
Network in West Asia and the establishment and
implement a number of these recommendations through
operation of the Environmental Training Network in
a series of workshops, initial efforts to establish a
Latin America and the Caribbean. Participants also
Regional Marine Emergency Mutual Aid Centre and
presented papers on Environmental Training and other
investigation of new technologies available for
activities in their institutions. The papers identified
improved navigation (and reduced pollution) in the Red
several priority issues and selected the institutes that
Sea and Gulf of Aden.
will carry such training activities.
The PERSGA Secretariat would be pleased to provide
Finally, the participants adopted several
interested parties with copies of the "Jeddah
recommendations and declared the establishment of a
Recommendations" in the hope that it might stimulate
regional Environmental Training and Education
your thoughts and creativity and encourage contribution
Network that will act as a medium of
to the continuing "Sea to Sea Process" of cooperation.
institutionalization and regional cooperation needed for
In addition, a Conference Proceedings is being
the accomplishment of environmental training activities.
assembled and should be available in the near future.
The participants also selected UNEP Regional Office
David A Olsen PhD, ARSAD Adviser, Office of the
for West Asia to coordinate and facilitate the
President, Meteorology and Environmental Protection
environmental training activities in the region.
Administration (MEPA), Jeddah
Fouad Kanbour
Officer-in-Charge & Senior Environmental Affairs
Officer, UNEP/ROWA, Bahrain
Al Sambouk, Issue 1. January 1996, page 4
Al Sambouk Issue 1. January 1996.
ICZM Workshop
Participants were of the highest calibre. The regional
seminar program was modified as it progressed to
accommodate participants' interests and expectations.
A national and regional seminar on Integrated Coastal
Small group discussions contributed to the
Zone Management (ICZM) took place in Aqaba from
identification and discussion of specific present
October 20-25 1995. The seminar content reflected
problems, including constraints to addressing them.
suggestions of participants in the Program Design
Participants benefited most from the discussions of case
Seminar (of the Program of Environmentally
studies, examples of "best practice" and interaction
Sustainable Development in the Middle East) held in
during the formal and informal sessions.
Washington DC, April 21-24, 1995. In this seminar
A field trip in Aqaba demonstrated that a regional
ICZM was identified as the highest priority issue to be
development approach to the Red Sea region is
addressed in Phase II of the Program.
preferred given the proximity and linkages of the
The main objectives of the seminar were: to strengthen
countries involved. A visit to the Historical Settlement
the capacity of participants to address ICZM issues
of Aqaba, a site that had been proposed for
using a multi-disciplinary approach; to promote
development, was also valuable.
institutional and organizational management in ICZM
Provided by the World Bank
through a multi-sectoral planning approach; and to
create a forum for dialogue among stakeholders aimed
Workshops and Conferences
at resolving natural resource conflicts in the coastal
zone. The seminar offered a unique opportunity for key
professionals, who work in coastal zone management,
First International Scientific Symposium on Socotra
to come together to discuss coastal management from
Island: Present and Future
an integrated coastal zone management perspective and
examples of "best practice".
The University of Aden is hosting the first international
symposium about Socotra Island, between 24 and 28
The seminar was attended by 18 participants from
March 1996.
Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain
and Eritrea and ten observers from the Aqaba Regional
The topics to be covered in the symposium will be:
Authority and the Port Authority.
1. Geography, geology and history
2. Conservation of natural resources, natural history
Formal presentations and lectures were limited with
(fauna, flora etc.) and environmental protection
priority given to participants' discussions and
3. Animal and fish wealth and plant production
presentations of case studies. Extensive use was made
4. Socio-economic considerations
of specific examples of "best practice". Training
materials in both English and Arabic were carefully
Further details are available from the Chairman of the
selected in relation to the main topics of the seminar.
Organizing Committee
National and regional partner institutions, including
Professor Dr Saeed Abdulla Baangood,
NGOs, played a key role in the design and
University of Aden, Madinat Al-Shaab, PO Box 11038,
implementation of the seminar. In this way the seminar
Aden, Republic of Yemen.
fostered a high degree of "ownership". Of particular
Fax: 967 2 223092/234426.
note were the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the
Jordan Environment Society (an NGO), the Aqaba
Regional Authority, and the Port Authority in Jordan.
Al Sambouk is produced at the PERSGA office by
Dr. William Gladstone (Editor) and Dr. Dirar Nasr
The seminar provided a forum for coastal zone
(Assistant Editor). Translation by Dr. Dirar Nasr and
managers and specialists from different countries to
Mr. Seif El Din Farah Mukhtar. Graphics by Dr. David
interact more effectively in the search for strategies and
Olsen (MEPA). Additional copies can be obtained from
policy options to address coastal zone problems.
PERSGA, PO Box 53662, Jeddah 21583, Kingdom of
Participants indicated repeatedly that they now have
Saudi Arabia.
viable options to address and disseminate information
on CZM issues. The Jordan Environment Society and
the Sudanese Conservation Society were very active
throughout the seminar.
Al Sambouk, Issue 1. January 1996, page 5