His Excellency the President, Alh. Dr. Yahya Jammeh arrived in Dubai United Arab Emirates on Tuesday morning, 6th February. He was received upon arrival by a delegation of Dubai officials including the Chairman of the Zoyed International Award for the Environment, an organization which recognizes outstanding contributions to the environment.

President Jammeh was in Dubai to address the 9th Special session of the United Nations Environment Programme Governing Council and Global Ministerial Environment Forum, at the invitation of the organization's Executive Director.

The Gambian head of state is also invited in his capacity as the President speeding the implementation of the Bali Strategic Plan in Africa. The plan seeks to enhance capacity building and technology support in Africa, as well as promote environment management in Africa.

The heads of State of the 6 pilot countries for plan, Lesotho, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Tunsia and the Gambia met earlier in January at the 6th summit of the all in Khartoum, Sudan and adopted the January 2006 Declaration on the implementation of the Plan in Africa.

Dubai, is a befitting venue for this special session, its leaders and people having recognized the importance of using scare resources efficiently.

In his keynote address at the 9th session of the Global Ministerial Environment Forum, President Jammeh said it is taking place at a very defining moment in the history of humankind. He noted that never before has the international community been engaged in such a concerted manner in the quest for global partnerships for human survival and for the preservation of what has become a very fragile planet.

He noted the high degree of political commitment of the heads of State of the Pilot Project, to the implementation of the BSP, and urged all' to work towards its success, for the development of the Continent.

The President of the Swiss Confederation, noted that without ambitious environment goals, the world cannot easily achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

After the opening session, President Jammeh was engaged in a flurry of activities, including a meeting with the Ministers of the environment of the pilot Countries, attending the summit. On Tuesday night, the Gambian President, attended a dinner hosted in his honour by the BMW regional office in the Middle East, and the Zoyed International award.

The United Nations Environment Programme, Executive Director was also in attendance, as well as the regional director for BMW in the Middle East.

Officials noted the company's promotion of clear energy initiative in line with environmental conservation.

The President's first engagement on Wednesday was a visit to the Jobel Ali Freezone and Fort in Dubai, one of the largest in the world. He also visited the Palm Project in Jumeirah, a stunning residential island, where he was presented with a miniature of the island.

Later on Wednesday evening, President Jammeh hosted a dinner for delegates to the meeting. The Gambian reception was a forum for informed interaction among delegates. Here also, President Jammeh reiterated the need for commitment to the successful implementation of the Bali Strategic Plan.

On Thursday morning, a delegation of the Zoyed International Award for the environment called on the President to express appreciation for his support to the international environmental agenda.