Oman hosts workshop on developing Environmental Performance Index in GCC

Salalah: A regional workshop on developing the components of the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) in GCC countries kicked off on Wednesday in the city of Salalah, Dhofar Governorate.

The two-day workshop, organised by the GCC Statistical Centre (GCC-STAT), is being attended by experts and specialists from environment and statistical departments in member states. It is held under the auspices of Dr. Abdullah Ali Al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority.

The workshop seeks to exchange views about the best practices in the field, in addition to developing measures to support sustainable environmental policies at national and regional levels.

Al Amri said that the workshop constitutes a step forward in devising an integrated Gulf environmental system. The joint EPI reflects GCC states’ commitment to keep pace with global environmental challenges and take decisions based on accurate and reliable data, he explained.

Al Amri added that the Sultanate of Oman, through the Environment Authority, continues to support joint GCC action in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. This drive stems from Oman’s international commitments to environment protection and means to address climate change, he said.

For her part, Intisar Abdullah Al Wahaibi, Director General of the GCC-STAT, said, “The EPI represents a strategic tool for measuring the level of environmental progress being made in GCC countries and comparing the performance with international standards—with the overall objective of developing effective environmental policies.”

She pointed out that the EPI covers various areas, including air quality, water management, biodiversity and land use. The EPI provides a unified database that supports sustainable future planning, she observed.

The workshop looks into a number of steps to draft GCC Environment Performance Index. These include setting goals, selecting sub-indicators, collecting and analysing data in coordination with departments concerned in each GCC state within a framework that reflects the region's environmental sustainability priorities.