Arab League supports efforts to achieve sustainable development, says chief

BEIRUT, April 9 (MENA) - The Arab League (AL) has always supported efforts to achieve comprehensive sustainable development, AL chief Ahmed Abul Gheit said Tuesday.

International and regional steps should be taken to counter pollution, climate change, desertification and drought, Abul Gheit told the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development 2019, held in Beirut, Lebanon.

He underscored Arab right to diversify sources of new and renewable energy, stressing that peaceful nuclear energy could very well be used to achieve sustainable development.

Achieving the sustainable development goals also hinges on respecting human rights, atop of which the right to food, safe drinking water and health, the AL chief said.

He added that the principles of the rule of law, good governance and gender equality are also important.

Addressing the forum, Iraqi Planning Minister Nour al Dulaimi said that political, security and environment challenges spilled over into the region and that entails a rearrangement of priorities.

A safe environment is needed to be able to achieve sustainable development, Dulaimi noted.

He pressed for urgent action to reduce the impact of climate change, particularly where water shortage is concerned.