Environment Ministry and FAO discuss establishing new income-generating and food projects

Damascus, SANA Minister of State for Environment Affairs Nazira Sarkis discussed on Monday with the Resident Representative of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Syria, Eriko Hibi, means of activating cooperation in the environmental domain through establishing income-generating and food projects.

Sarkis highlighted the importance of activating cooperation mainly in the fields of supporting the traditional eco-friendly industries in the eastern and northeastern areas and al-Badia, and the household chemical-free food industries.

She also called for adopting an integrated approach for ensuring sustainable maintaining of the plant genetic resources of food and crops and the animal genetic resources, combating deterioration of natural resources, monitoring and assessing the impacts of oil random refining, promoting bio-gas technologies and management dust storms.

Sarkis appreciated the technical aid extended by the FAO in outlining a draft project on harmonizing Syria’s national plan with the 10-year strategy of the UN Convention to Combat the Desertification (UNCCD).

Both sides agreed to hold future technical meetings to discuss resuming work at joint projects suspended due to the current crisis in Syria.

On May 17th, Sarkis discussed with representatives of the FAO and the UN Food Program the holding environmental camps at reserves and forests to raise awareness of the importance of the local environment and means of safely utilizing environmental resources.

H. Zain/ H. Said

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