Lunch menu during the Arab Forum for Environment and Development’s conference on sustainable consumption constituted entirely of local organic food. Moreover, this was the first conference in the Arab region where "recycled" food was served: intact remains of Mediterranean fish served on day one were used to make a delicious fish-filet plate on day two. In addition, no plastic bottles were used during the two day conference, which were replaced by re-usable glass bottles.

 

Within the same context, and in cooperation with AFED, the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) organized a session during the conference on the Mediterranean diet as part of sustainable food systems.

 

AFED held its eighth annual conference in Beirut, based on a flagship report on Sustainable Consumption that it had produced with emphasis on energy, water and food.

 

The conference brought together 600 delegates from 48 countries, representing governments, corporations, regional and international organizations, research centers, universities, civil society and the media. Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) was Official Partner of the conference.

 

50 university students from 12 Arab countries discussed their views on resource management in the Future Environmental Leaders Forum (FELF) supported by AFED and presented their statement on sustainable consumption during the closing session.

 

AFED secretary general Najib Saab cited draft recommendations for Arab governments and institutions, advocating that adopting appropriate consumption patterns is key to rational management of resources, and contributes to sustainable development and environmental conservation. Later Saab presented these recommendations to the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo.