National strategy for sustainable development in Syria
Syria, Economics, 12/24/2001

In a statement to Arabic News Eng. Yahia Awaidah, director of Environmental Management Directorate at the ministry of State for Environmental Affairs said that in collaboration with other ministries concerned, the ministry of State for Environmental Affairs adopted the Syrian National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP), which proposes several action plans and programs that if implemented according to the defined time schedule would lead to an overall sustainable development in Syria.

He added that NEAP is considered as one of the major results produced through the implementation of the National project for strengthening the capacity of environmental affairs in Syria. This project was financed by UNDP and Capacity 21 program and nationally executed under the supervision of the World Bank. He elaborated that a special unit was created at the ministry of Environment for the implementation of the project action plan through continuous and thorough consultations and meeting with the environment minister, participation of public and private sectors, ministries concerned, NGO s and research centers.He said that the overall goal of NEAP is to contribute to protection the health of the Syrian population, and manage scarce materials and cultural resources in a rational and cost-effective manner and to allow economic growth to continue unimpeded by environmental degradation. A gradual and continuous programs of improvement will accomplish this.He indicated that NEAP actions will target five priority areas, which were identified by a wide consultation exercise, supported by a thorough technical study.

Awaidah remarked that the action plan presented in NEAP covers the period up to 2010 at which time it is envisaged that a full revision is the strategy will take place.

He said that the Syrian environmental Strategy is composed of a sequence of actions that van be taken to accomplish strategic objectives. He outlined sustainable development as has been involved in these actions and areas of NEAP programs and investment in preventing misuse of land and water resources and this can be through: developing policies to encourage development in areas with appropriate national resources; combating desertification ( loss of fertile areas to sand covers, Water and Wind erosion, Deforestation ); halting conversion of agricultural land to other uses; Stop over- exploitation of water resources; maintain sustainable use levels; Accredit modern sustainable irrigation systems; adopt non- conventional water resources systems ( desalination, reuse of treated wastewater ); combat deterioration of water resources and protecting them from chemical and microbiological contamination; integrate water resources management and reassess of cost recover. To improve living quality in urban areas NEAP aims to control illegal areas with a view to improving urban environment; maintain vital urban core in conservation areas; accredit a sustainable transportation system; improve reliability of potable water supply and wastewater collection and treatment systems; combat natural migration and evacuation; promote suitable housing security and; encourage investments by governmental and non- governmental parties to create new job opportunities and unemployment control strategies.

Moreover NEAP also intends to protect natural and cultural resources, to embark on capacity building, education and raising awareness of the general population and reduce effects of population of human health.

He said that the national capacity building is critical and important task for proper environmental management and sustainable development. He said that NEAP investments, targeted at the priority problems, represent a cost - effecting and efficient program and ultimately to restore damaged assets. He said that Full implementation of the NEAP will require an approximate doubling of the current spend on environment over the next ten years. The benefits of the investment program in monetary terms alone would far outweigh the costs. This level of investment is entirely feasible in the current economic climate of Syria.

He said the conversation of natural and cultural resources must be built into development planning through adoption of the sustainable development concepts, implementing EIA studies and the licensing of industrial and other development projects.

He recommended that changes in agricultural policy and investment in improved production methods can potentially yield enormous benefits in soil and water conservation. These, together with the investment in the illegal areas will bring benefits across all environmentally affected areas.

He added that within Syria's interest to protection of environment several projects were implemented while others are under planning or implementation. Some of these projects are: national Bio-diversity Strategy and action plan in 1999, in co-operation with UNDP/GEF; The ministry of agriculture and Agrarian reform, is working with UNDP/GEF and ICARDA on executing the Agro-Bio-diversity project; Integrated development for water resources in Syria; Conserving natural resources; Environmental survey for natural resources; national strategy plan for water resources; large wastewater treatment plants are being built for major cities in Syria; Rural development centers; National action plan for combat desertification; and integrated water resources management plan in Syria.

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