Minister of Water and Environment emphasizes the importance of protecting marine life and enhancing regional environmental sustainability.

Yemeni Minister Advocates for Marine Environmental Protection and Sustainability

In a recent workshop held in the temporary capital, Aden, titled “Activating the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden as Special Areas under the MARPOL Convention,” Yemen’s Minister of Water and Environment, Engineer Tawfiq Al-Sharjabi, emphasized the critical importance of marine environmental protection and the enhancement of environmental sustainability in the region.

Strategic Importance and Environmental Challenges

Minister Al-Sharjabi highlighted that the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden are among the world’s vital and strategic maritime passages. However, these areas face significant environmental challenges due to marine pollution and increasing human activities. He explained that designating these areas as special zones under the MARPOL Convention is a crucial step towards achieving several strategic goals. These include reducing marine pollution, protecting biodiversity, and enhancing international cooperation.

Incident Highlighting Environmental Threats

The minister also drew attention to the February 2024 sinking of the ship “Ruby Mar” following an attack by Houthi militias, which posed a significant threat to the marine environment. He underscored the MARPOL Convention’s role in bolstering national capabilities for monitoring and controlling marine pollution, securing international support, and achieving sustainable development.

Call for Cooperation and Idea Exchange

Concluding his speech, Minister Al-Sharjabi thanked the organizers and participants of the workshop. He reaffirmed the importance of cooperation and the exchange of ideas to ensure the protection and sustainability of the marine region.

Regional Body’s Role in Environmental Protection

Dr. Zaher Al-Eghwan, a representative of the Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, elaborated on the workshop’s activities. These activities are part of the joint cooperation between the regional body, the Ministry of Water and Environment, and the Environmental Protection Authority. The initiative aims to declare the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden as special areas, playing a significant role in protecting the marine environment in accordance with the global MARPOL Convention.

This workshop marks a significant step towards fostering regional and international collaboration to address the environmental challenges facing the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, crucial for the global maritime community and the preservation of marine biodiversity.

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