Majid Al Futtaim Wednesday announced it will provide financial backing in 2004 to the Emirates Diving Association, as part of its commitment to sustainable development.
The partnership will allow the EDA to expand its valuable work with the marine eco-system in the Gulf, which is facing increasing environmental challenges from industrial development and pollution. It is the second consecutive year the MAF has provided sponsorship to EDA.
“It is the responsibility of the private sector to support the local environments in which they operate,” commented Sabra Thani, Corporate Communications Manager, Majid Al Futtaim. “Dubai is undergoing rapid expansion, and as a core contributor to that development we are dedicated to preserving the fragile surroundings whilst also achieving our goals.”
Initiated in 1995, the EDA was established by instruction of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
EDA is now focussing its efforts on monitoring the coral around the coast of the UAE and studies of the turtle populations that inhabit the local waters.
Through a network of local volunteers and corporate financial backing, EDA runs a series of activities including coral monitoring, turtle tagging, beach cleaning projects and pearl diving awareness trips.
“MAF’s contribution to this year’s EDA budget is an essential component of the ongoing success of our projects,” commented Mr. Essa Al Ghurair, Vice Chairman, Emirates Diving Association. “Dubai is still a young country and is developing at an astonishing rate. Organisations like the EDA try to strike a balance between progress and conservation. Through our partnership with MAF, we are able to mount more campaigns for the good of the local environment.”
In addition to supporting the EDA, MAF is an active member of the UAE Environment Group, another driving force in enhancing environmental awareness, eco-knowledge and capacity building for environmentalism.
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
