ROPME Environmental Prize

In April 1984, the Council of ROPME at its Third Meeting, decided that a prize be awarded annually, on the Environment Day of the Region, to selected national(s) of the Member State(s) (e.g. scientists, journalists, institutions, editors, etc.) who have contributed outstanding work or had achievements in the field of marine environment. The Prize was established in order to promote all forms of activities and to increase environmental awareness amongst the people of the Region, as well as to evolve interest amongst the people of the Region towards protection and development of the marine environment in particular in conformity with the principles embodied in the Kuwait Regional Convention and its Protocols.

The Council at its Fourth Meeting in April 1985 approved that the value of the Prize hall be KD.1500/- (Kuwaiti Dinars One thousand Five Hundred) and be rewarded to the winner. The principal criteria for awarding the Prize shall be based on nondiscriminatory principle and the nature of activities i.e. implementation, at national or regional level, of programmes and activities designed to strengthen environmental education by enlisting the support of public opinion in the Region; Promotion of public awareness of the problems arising from environmental pollution in the Region, through the media and ther effective channels; Launching of important activities contributing to the idea of preventing pollution of the environment of the Region.

For the purpose of evaluating the credentials of the candidates for the Prize from the Member States, the Council approved the establishment of a five-member Jury who are specialists in environmental education and awareness, and that their findings should be submitted to the Executive Secretary of ROPME for approval. Since then, the Annual Environmental Prize has been awarded to deserving personnel in the Region, as and when some significant achievement is recognized.

In accordance with ROPME Council Decision CM11/14, ROPME has adopted the revised text of “General Rules Governing the ROPME Environmental Prize” and Rules of Procedure of the Jury for the ROPME Environmental Prize” Accordingly, the revised ROPME Environment Prize is worth US$20,000/- The Prize shall be awarded every three years and for an indeterminate duration.