Manama, June 1 (BNA): Education Minister, Higher Education Council (HEC) Chairman, Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma opened the first training workshop as part project “Evaluation of the Contribution of Urban Tree Planting to Carbon Sequestration and Storage in the Kingdom of Bahrain”.

The event was held under the patronage of the Minister of Education at Princess Al Jawhara Al Ibrahim Centre  for Molecular Medicine, in the presence of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) Secretary General Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa.

The event was also attended by HEC Secretary-General Dr. Diana Al Johromi, Arabian Gulf University (AGU) Acting President Dr. Abdulrahman Yusuf Ismaeel and other officials.

Dr. Juma stressed the ministry’s cooperation in organizing the workshop, within the framework of the agreement concluded between the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) and the Arabian Gulf University to conduct a study on the contribution of urban trees and shrubs to carbon sequestration and storage in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The study comes within the national afforestation campaign “Green Forever”, in implementation of the royal directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, with the support and follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin  Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

He also praised the pivotal role of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Consort of HM the King and President of NIAD Advisory Council.  

NIAD Secretary General Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa  commended the cooperation of the Ministry of Education in implementing this workshop, and conducting the applied study that preceded it in the schools across the Kingdom of Bahrain to expand the green spaces.

She noted the role of Arabian Gulf University for its specialized research capabilities, pointing out that these efforts aim to strengthen the national campaign for afforestation (Green Forever), open broader horizons of community partnership, encourage meaningful scientific research, and support the drive to preserve the environment and achieve sustainable development.

AGU Acting President Dr. Abdulrahman Yusuf Ismaeel said that the  workshop represents a key step in implementing the agreement aimed at strengthening and documenting cooperation between the AGU College of Postgraduate Studies and the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD).

AHN