Sharjah aims to achieve sustainable development

Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, stressed that the emirate aimed to work towards sustainable development in order to adequately serve both today’s and tomorrow’s generations. He emphasised on the importance of Sharjah’s achievements last year, which stem from the wise vision of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. According to a report published by the Government Communication Unit, which functions under the Sharjah Media Centre, the interactions of Dr Sheikh Sultan on the direct line programme ‘Al Khat Al Mubasher’, contributed immensely to inducing constructive changes in the performance of Sharjah’s government departments, strengthening their ties with the community, and contributing to the emirate’s achievements. In March last year, Sharjah announced its accession into the World Health Organisation’s Healthy Cities programme, becoming the first Healthy City in the UAE. The first comprehensive global centre for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in the emirate was established under the guidance of Dr Sheikh Sultan and Shaikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs. According to the report, the University of Sharjah’s scientific research team was able to reach advanced stages in the development of a number of chemical compounds which stop the deterioration of brain cells of Alzheimer’s patients, in addition to other compounds which stop the growth of cancer cells. The report stated that due to the efforts of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), the emirate was named the Arab Tourism Capital for 2015 in the fifteenth edition of the Council of Arab Tourism Ministers held in Cairo recently. The SCTDA also received the first prize in the Middle East category during the Berlin international tourism and travel trade show. The Sharjah Ruler approved a number of eco-tourism projects to be executed in Sharjah’s natural reserves last year. Three new tourism projects were launched in the emirate, which include Al Hafya Educational Reserve Centre and the recreational waterpark project. The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) completed several projects including Al Majaz Waterfront, with an estimated cost of Dh100 million, which won the Sharjah Tourism Excellence Award in the Destination Development category. Shurooq launched the City Sightseeing project, where visitors tour the city in special buses. Flag Island was another prestigious Shurooq project. The organisation also announced the launch of the Kalba Eco-tourism project, which is a joint effort between Shurooq and the Environment and Protected Areas Authority. Department of Culture and Information held various events and seminars, which created vast media resonance throughout the world. The most important of them was Sharjah International Book Fair, which celebrated its 31st edition in 2012. Sharjah Theatre Days and Sharjah Heritage Days Festival also attracted a huge number of visitors From: Khaleej Times