Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Policy Development

The Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV) and in collaboration with the Asian Clean Fuels Association (ACFA) hosted a successful and well attended Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Policy Development meeting on Clean Fuels and Vehicles in Manama, Bahrain on 12 - 13th March 2008 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

There was a wide range of representation from the region by 14 countries including a broad participation by stakeholders. Sttakeholders participation included governments that saw representation from Ministries of Health, Education, Environment, Industry, Commerce, Transportation and Energy. Also present were the fuels and vehicle Industry as well as Academia and Civil Society.

Countries represented from both the GCC included Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE as well as representatives from the following League of Arab States (LAS) / Middle East: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Palestine, Tunisia and Yemen.

Following the Cairo conference in 2006 and the reaffirmation of the importance of phasing out lead and lowering sulphur levels in fuels, as well; as the global target of 50ppm sulphur in Fuel agreed in the 4th GPM, the meeting served as a significant step in engaging these countries in further discussions and cooperation at the national level to create national action plans on the better implementation of clean fuels and vehicles and sustainable air quality management within the region. To this end, the meeting aimed at developing a clear vision of the way forward for cleaner fuels and vehicles with the aim of harmonization of standards within GCC countries, along with the steps to be taken at the national levels, with the objective to improve air urban quality in the region and sensitizing stake holders and policy makers.

The concept paper, agenda, participants list and the meeting's recommendations are posted on the website. Please contact the Clearing-House, at UNEP, for any more information or questions regarding this event.

• Agenda
• List of Participants
• Concept Paper
• Opening Speech - by His Excellency Dr. Abdul Hussain Bin Ali Mirza
• Recommendations
• Clean Fuel in spotlight - by Gulf Daily News (11-13 March 2008)
• Photo Gallery

Presentations:

• Clean Air through Clean Fuels
  Asian Clean Fuels Association (ACFA)
• GCC Policy Development meeting on Clean Fuels and Vehicles
  Mary M'Mukindia, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• Challenges and Opportunities: World Overview of Cleaner Fuels and Vehicle Trends
  Michael P. Walsh, International Council on Clean Transportation
• U.S. Cleaner Fuel and Vehicle Strategies And Programs
  Jane Metcalfe, United States Environmental Protection Agency
• GCC Policy Development Meeting on Clean Fuels and Vehicles
  Essa G Al-Ansari, The Bahrain Petroleum Company
• GCC Meeting on Clean Fuels And Vehicles
  Prof. Farid B. Chaaban, American University of Beirut Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
• The Need for Cleaner Fuels to Enable Greener Technologies and Engaging Stakeholders
  David Ward, FIA Foundation for the Automobile and Society
• CNG -Clean Fuel Technology
  Salzburg AG
• Promoting Cleaner Vehicle Technology
  Michael P. Walsh, International Council on Clean Transportation
• Strategies for Producing Cleaner Gasolines; Refining Challenges
  Esa Merikallio, Neste Oil
• Diesel Retrofit Project in Bahrain
  Hanan S. Haider, Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Recourses Wildlife and Environment
• Cleaner Fuel and Vehicle Policy Roadmaps
  Candace Vona, HART
• Fuel Quality and Vehicle Emission Standards in GCC countries
  Shoa Ehsani, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)