His Excellency Dr. Mohammad Saeed Al Kendi , Minister of Environment & Water, declared the importance of this scientific, cultural and economical meeting , which is being held , for the second time consecutively under the patronage of H.H. Sheik Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister, Ruler of Dubai. He also highlighted his highness' concern for protecting environment and supporting all organizations that are contributing and helping this vital sector, including participation of all sectors of the community that cares for protecting environment, especially petroleum organizations.

"The Ministry of Environment and Water in the UAE has many programs, objectives and strategic visions that are based on the wise visions and the directions of H.H. Sheik Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and his brother H.H. Sheik Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister, Ruler of Dubai, and their Highnesses members of the Union Supreme Council. As per these directions , the Ministry applies all the international criteria concerning environment of the UAE , and is coordinating its efforts in order to support the Gulf Countries in protecting environments in all fields" He Said.

His Excellency stressed the point that Dubai hosting for Offshore Arabia 2009, which is considered to be a comprehensive economical and scientific conference and the selection of RECSO as a permanent headquarter, reflects truly the fact that the UAE is supporting all international and regional organizations that are based in the UAE in addition to providing them with all facilities needed in order to achieve their noble targets that serve the human being and his surrounding environment. At the end, his Excellency expressed his gratitude to all organizations supporting this important event and all media departments for conveying the facts and for encouraging the community in general to protect our beautiful environment.

On the other side, his Excellency Khamis Jumma Bu-Amim, President of The Regional Clean Sea Organization (RECSO), Vice President of Dubai Oil, Chairman of Offshore Arabia Conference & Exhibition, said that the conference sessions will be focusing on many topics such as:

• Offshore Oil Spill Prevention & Response
• Produced Water Management and Technologies
• Industrial Waste Water Treatment, Recycling and Re-use
• Advanced Technologies for Waste Oil, Sludge Treatment, Recycling and Disposal
• Hazardous Waste Management
• Tanker Traffic and the Environment
• MARPOL 73/78 and Reception facilities in the region
• Tanker Ballast Water Discharges of Harmful Biological Invasions
• Environmental Impact Assessment, Current Practices and Future Trends
• Applications of Geographical Information System and Remote Sensing Technology (Eg. Sensitivity Mapping)
• International Maritime
• Wildlife Rescue/Rehabilitation
• Clean-Up Standards
• Legislation & Policy
• The Role of the Media in the Environment

His Excellency confirmed that the conference will discuss the scientific subject and all pending topics and issues related to the Environment and how to protect it and keep it free from pollution, in addition to the evaluation of all achievements implemented in the field of cleaning the Arabian Seas. He also stressed the point that the conference will discuss the know-how of advanced plans and programs for future use, especially in dealing with oil spills and means of preventing it. The conference will also discuss the activities and of "Off Shore Arabia 2009" , which will enjoy the official support of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), The Regional Organization For The Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and the Gulf Of Aden (PERSGA), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Dubai Municipality, Dubai Marine City, Dubai Chamber Of Commerce & Industry, Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME),International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC). The conference will discuss chances of cooperation and coordination with all Arab countries and other neighboring countries in facing such problems by developing International and regional communication mechanisms in order to fight pollution and to keep seas clean.

Under the conference's umbrella there will be many activities taking place such as a major Gulf wide emergency exercise prior to the conference where all the national oil companies in the region will participate to show how effectively they can work together in a coordinated effort. There will also be Gulf wide environmental educational programs for students of the region to attend lectures by specialists and a career fair of RECSO's member companies where they can be advised by the major oil companies on the fields that they need to concentrate on. The Amateur Environment Photography Awards is a competition that for the first time allows individuals with interest in photographing the environment to participate in. This award will be judged by professional photographers and environmentalists and open doors to amateurs who want to make a career out of this kind of photography. The photographs must be indigenous to the Gulf region. For the first time we will be organizing the 2009 Environment Awards which is open to individuals, companies and nations that have taken innovative measures in the protection of the environment in terms of policies or Research & Development. The conference will also host two post conference training courses which are related to oil spill response.

Mr.Abdul Salam Al Madani, Chairman of Index Conferences & Exhibitions declared that Dubai is well equipped to host "Offshore Arabia Conference & Exhibition" by taking care of all the necessary arrangements whether it is related to media, marketing or organizing. Index has promoted "Offshore Arabia" internationally and regionally via direct marketing and via similar conferences in Europe, Asia, America and GCC countries, and through sending invitations to all concerned organizations. "Offshore Arabia Conference & Exhibition" is considered to be one of the specialized conferences organized by Index in cooperation with The Regional Clean Sea Organization (RECSO). More than 300 companies from 35 countries in addition to International, regional & local organizations and associations will participate in the exhibition in order to display their latest innovations in the field of technologies related to protecting environment. More than 6000 specialized visitors are expected to visit the exhibition. Mr.Al Madani invited all economical, social and educational organizations to benefit from this important activity through participating in this event.