The opening session of the 9th Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World, held by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, witnessed the awards ceremony of the third session of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Award for Environmental Management in the Islamic World (KSAAEM), which is organized under the generous patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz. 22 winners from 18 countries received KSAAEM prizes.

In his address during the award ceremony, Dr. Osama bin Ibrahim Faqiha, Undersecretary of the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Chairman of the Award’s High Committee, reviewed the details and stages of the third session of the Award, commending the efforts of the candidates, whose studies, research and experiences contribute to enhancing scientific research and innovation in the Islamic world.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, Secretary-General of the Award; and Engineer Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, presented the winners with the prize money, certificates and honorary shields. The first prize in the research, achievements and successful practices category went to Dr. Mohammed Othman Eid Al-Jahdali from Saudi Arabia, Dr. Ali Anad Muhaisen Al-Fouadi from Iraq; the second prize went to Dr. Heba Al-Rahman Ahmed Hafez Mustafa Al-Sabbagh from Egypt, and Dr. Asma Fahd Al-Ateeq from Kuwait while Dr. Abdul Hakim Shatwi, Dr. Mounir Bahous from Morocco, and Dr. Abdullah Qaed Al Suwaidi from Qatar received the third prize.

In the category of pioneering practices and activities for public benefit and civil society associations in Member States, the first prize was won by the Plastic Bank Association from Indonesia, and MYGREENDATA from Mali. The second prize went to the Environment and Development Organization from Yemen, and Green Balochistan from Pakistan, while the third place was won by the Trident Club Association from Algeria, and the Union of Agricultural Work Committees from Palestine.

In the category of women’s pioneering activities in environmental action ‘the Women’s Award for Leadership in Private or Governmental Sector Institutions,’ the first prize was won by Dr. Sheikha Salem Al Dhaheri from the United Arab Emirates, and the second place went to Dr. Hasna Kaji from Morocco.

In the ‘Women’s Award for Research, Achievements and Successful Practices,’ the first place was won by Dr. Hanan Al-Mahashir from Saudi Arabia, and the second place was won by Dr. Lobat Taghavi from Iran. As for the ‘Women’s Award in Public Benefit Associations and NGOs,’ the first place was won by Dr. Wahiba Thuray Essedik from Libya, and the second place was won by Dr. Sharifa Abdul Carim Macarand from the Philippines.

In the environmentally friendly green city category, an honorary award was given to the three best environmentally friendly cities in the Islamic world, namely Yanbu in Saudi Arabia, Greater Amman Municipality in Jordan, and Penang Island in Malaysia.