The second day of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) 2023, themed ‘Today’s Resources, Tomorrow’s Wealth,’ witnessed a panel of distinguished experts and thought leaders discussing the crucial issue of resource management in a rapidly evolving world. The session, titled “Global Resources in an Era of Change: Balancing Solutions and Sustainability,” emphasized the intricate interplay between resource consumption, production, and the role of government communication and media in fostering a sustainable future.
Prominent speakers included Khalifa Musabeh Ahmed Alteneiji, Chairman of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock in Sharjah; Mohamed Abou El Enein, Deputy of the Egyptian Parliament and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cleopatra Group; Ambassador Marco A. Suazo, Director of UNITAR New York Office; and Sarah Shaw, Senior Advisor to COP28 UAE. Together, they provided insights into achieving equilibrium, sustainability, and responsible consumption amidst shifting resource dynamics.
Khalifa Musabeh Ahmed Alteneiji, Chairman of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock in Sharjah, shared the remarkable journey of a 400-hectare wheat farm initiated in November 2022 by Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Alteneiji highlighted the groundbreaking success of this initiative, with the produced wheat boasting an 80 percent protein content. Plans are already underway to expand the project to 1900 hectares, with documented environmental benefits such as improved land and soil quality and increased precipitation in the area.
Ambassador Marco A. Suazo, Director of UNITAR New York Office, stressed the need to overcome global challenges through political will and international cooperation. He highlighted rising prices, inflation rates, and the alarming trend of consuming in nine months what the planet produces in a year. Suazo also spotlighted the upcoming SDG Summit, where over 100 heads of state will commit to SDG transformation, including poverty and inequality reduction benchmarks by 2027.
Mohamed Abou El Enein, Member of the Egyptian Parliament and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cleopatra Group, emphasized systemic issues in resource management and called for a new UN fund to address climate change damage. He urged the United Nations to reform to better represent diverse nations.
Sarah Shaw, Senior Advisor to COP28 UAE, emphasized the essential role of the private sector, academia, and public entities in crafting solutions. She highlighted the transition to clean energy, production, and agriculture while safeguarding food security. Shaw stressed the importance of focusing efforts in multiple sectors, including food, commerce, trade, energy, and financing, especially for developing nations, to adhere to expert recommendations and research.
The session underscored the significance of cooperation, innovation, and communication in addressing resource challenges and advancing sustainability goals on a global scale.
