Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al-Nahyan, Minister of Public Works and Chairman of the National Media Council on Saturday called all employees of the council to participate in the “Desert Clean-up Campaign” which kicks off on 20 January in response to a call by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister through Twitter.

Sheikh Hamdan said the campaign will receive response from all young men and women of the UAE.

“Sheikh Abdullah’s initiative reminds us of the efforts of the late founding father Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan who succeeded in giving the UAE a prominent stature among nations engaged in protecting the environment,” Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak said.

“The initiative is further proof that environmental protection has become established in the UAE’s policies based on the country’s heritage which is rich in innovative relevant initiatives on the way to sustainable development as an example to be globally followed,” Sheikh Hamdan added.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed tweeted to his followers: “How about we all take part in cleaning up the desert? I’d like to participate if you agree on January 20.”

Along with NMC, the Centre for Waste Management Abu Dhabi, the Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi (EAD), Abu Dhabi’s Environment Friends Society, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Takatof. Union National, Sanid, the UAE’s New National Emergency Response Programme and other bodies.

The nationwide campaign which kicks in the seven emirates aims to raise public awareness of the importance of keeping the desert free of harmful waste.