like a contradiction, a developing country that’s one of the world’s leading oil producers is also a global leader in environmental matters. A federation of seven Emirates that border the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Gulf, the United Arab Emirates—or UAE—holds nearly ten percent of the world’s proven crude oil reserves. “While it is common knowledge that as a member of OPEC the Emirates produce nearly 2.1 million barrels of oil a day, what is not as nearly well-knownare the country’s exemplary environmental policies,” says UAE Ambassador to the U.S. Al-Asri Al-Dhahri. He added that “Under the leadership of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, the UAE has been able to develop economieally and socially while protecting the environment.” Sheikh Zayed’s efforts to maintain this delicate balance have earned him the World Wildlife Foundation’s Gold Panda Award. Heis thefirst sitting head of state to be so honored. The results of the UAE’s for- ward-looking environmental poli- cies include: A yearly increase in the variety of the country’s bird life, which at last tally included over 400 species. * The creation of marine parks to preserve coral reefs in the Emirate of Fujairah. e A ban by the Ministry of Sk Sheikh Zayed , first head of state to win the Gold Panda Award. Agriculture and Fisheries on the catching of turtles or the taking of their eggs. * The sponsorship—along with the United Nations—of an international conference on creating strategies for blending sustainable economic development while protecting the environment. * The creation of a numberof wildlife reserves that promote breeding programs and the preservation of endangered species, such as the Arabian oryx, the Arabian leopard and the flamingo. * Efforts to “green” the desert that include the creation of 39 public parks, oceupying an area of 3.7 million square meters. To learn more about the country and its environmental policies andefforts, visit the Web site at www.emirates.org.
