Egypt's Environment Minister Laila Eskandar underlined the importance of updating Arab sustainable development initiative to cope with its current priorities and capabilities.

 

At the opening speech of extraordinary session of the Arab environment ministers meeting, Eskander stated that water security, countering desertification, climate change, protection of the natural resources should be top priorities for any joint Arab action in this regard.

 

She highlighted the need to coordinate and unify Arab stances at the international events and organizations.

 

Eskander urged the international community and organizations to provide Arab countries with technical and financial help to implement the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio20 Conference).

 

In the Rio20 outcome document, United Nations Member States renewed their commitment to sustainable development and to ensuring the "promotion of an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable future for our planet and for future generations.

 

The document places the green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication. It also deals extensively with institutional frameworks for sustainable development and lays out a framework for action and follow-up.