The editorial of the UAE newspaper "Gulf News" for today was focused on the environment. This is the editorial:

The recent inauguration of the Environment 2007 conference in Abu Dhabi highlights an issue of importance to the UAE as a developing country.

Development on any scale should encompass protecting the environment at all levels. Hence laws and programmes should go hand in hand with the rate at which the development process is progressing.

"The rapid development of the country is affecting the environment, and we are working on developing ways to lessen the effects. We also do a lot of good things through education, awareness and campaigns, and we try to tackle all environmental problems to keep a clean and safe environment for generations to come," said Dr Mohammad Saeed Al Kindi, Minister of Environment and Water.

As a developing nation, the country has gone through tremendous changes in terms of urbanisation and expansion of cities. Future development plans that have thus far been announced signify the rate of expected growth in the country.

The environment undoubtedly would remain a priority on the agenda. This means that effective government policies are required to keep pace with the development process in addition to a serious and responsible involvement by the public at large. Only a collective approach would safeguard the environment.