Abu Dhabi, May 1 (SANA) The United Arab Emirates has welcomed a decision adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at its 84th session, which calls on Iran to immediately halt attacks and threats targeting merchant ships, oil tankers, and key port infrastructure in regional waters.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, quoted by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), said Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Sheikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, stressed that the resolution recognizes that environmental damage in the Arabian Gulf will not remain confined to any single area.
They said protecting the marine environment in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman is a cornerstone of regional food, water, and economic security and reiterated their condemnation of any attacks on maritime infrastructure or vessels, warning of potentially uncontrolled consequences, including harm to rich marine biodiversity and disruption of fishing and navigation vital to millions of people.
President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, said the UAE will continue working with international partners to prevent escalation and protect this vital natural system, emphasizing that environmental security is inseparable from regional and global stability.
The IMO decision, adopted earlier Friday, demands an immediate end to all activities that could expose the marine environment to pollution from oil spills, chemicals, sea mines, or other hazardous substances. It also expresses grave concern over the risk of large‑scale marine pollution in a region of high biological diversity and calls on the IMO secretary‑general to monitor the negative environmental impacts of Iran’s actions in the area.
Kh.A
