The Secretary General of the Union of Arab Chambers, Dr. Khaled Hanafi, explained during his speech at the opening of the conference the role of the Arab private sector in improving waste management, “Towards circular Arab economies by addressing waste and emissions” within the activities of Expo Qatar 2023 for horticulture, a green desert... a better environment, on 1-26-2024, with the participation of the Director General of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, Professor Ibrahim Adam Al-Dakhiri, the Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs at the League of Arab States, Ambassador Ibrahim Al-Maliki, the Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Scientific Research Councils, Dr. Abdel Majeed Ben Amara, that “The waste produced by the Arab region amounts to approximately 200 million tons annually, and this number is expected to double by 2030, with only 20 percent of it being recycled or converted into fertilizer. This leads to an increase in overflowing landfills and choked waterways, and polluted air, which puts our health, our ecosystems, and our future at risk, as the economic cost of mismanagement of this issue exceeds 15 billion US dollars.”
The Secretary-General of the Union revealed that the transition to a circular economy could save the Arab region $58 billion by 2030 through resource efficiency and reducing waste production. In addition, the transition towards a circular economy, waste management, and recycling will provide millions of job opportunities.
He considered that "amid this enormous challenge lies a ray of hope, and a beacon of opportunities through the power of innovation and the spirit of entrepreneurship defined by the Arab private sector."
He said: “We are not simply talking about environmental damage; rather, we are talking about a global circular economy market worth $3.2 trillion that must be exploited, in light of the presence of a market full of potential, job creation, economic growth, and sustainable development. The Arab private sector has the vision, the creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit to make it a reality."
He considered that “composting and solutions for converting waste into energy create a vibrant green technology sector that attracts investment, creates job opportunities, and fuels economic growth. As we bring about radical change in industries using circular models, every sector holds the potential for changes towards the circular model. Through research and development, we can uncover creative solutions that will not only address our immediate challenges but will also pave the way to a more sustainable future.”
He believed that "transformation cannot occur in a vacuum, and therefore we need supportive policies and systems that stimulate investment and innovation in the private sector. We also need strong partnerships between governments, companies, non-governmental organizations, and communities, and work together to exchange knowledge and provide best practices and resources."
He continued: The journey ahead will be difficult, but the rewards are priceless, from a cleaner environment, healthier communities, and a thriving economy supported by innovation and driven by sustainability. Therefore, I urge Arab private sector leaders to seize this opportunity and invest in the circular economy, to be the driving force behind a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous Arab world.
Source (Union of Arab Chambers)
