Calendar of Events

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Policy Development Meeting on Clean Fuels and Vehicles

Manama, Bahrain

12-13 March, 2008

Background

Urban air quality and human health in countries in GCC countries continue to suffer from vehicular emissions linked to the continued use of high vehicle fuel sulphur levels, and the lack of widespread use of vehicle emissions control technology (e.g. catalytic converters) in some countries. Cleaner fuels are needed in order to lower vehicle emissions, improve air quality (especially in urban areas), and enable the use of ever-advancing vehicle emissions controls and engine technologies.

The United Nations Environment Programme-based Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV) is the leading global initiative to promote and support better air quality through the introduction of cleaner fuels and vehicles in developing and transitional countries. Our mission includes the phase-out of leaded petrol worldwide by end 2008, promoting the reduction of sulphur levels in fuels to 50 parts per million or lower, and helping countries adopt cleaner vehicle standards and technologies.

GCC countries do not have leaded gasoline though a few countries in the Middle East region still use leaded gasoline. However, there are several countries with high sulphur levels in transporation fuels, (ranging from 50 parts per million (ppm) to 10,000 ppm). In addition, with low and unregulated vehicle maintenance and inspection rates, the rise in private vehicle and fleet ownership, as well as increasingly high utilization of public transport, will stand to only worsen the existing situation.

The PCFV, working in collaboration with the Ministry of Oil and Energy of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the Asian Clean Fuels Association (ACFA), plans to hold a two-day policy meeting focusing on “clean fuels and vehicles” for GCC countries. The meeting can be considered as a follow-up meeting of the “Policy Development Meeting for the Middle East, West Asia and North Africa on Clean Fuels and Vehicles” held in Cairo, Egypt, in 2006 to discuss leaded gasoline phase-out, low sulphur fuels and low emission vehicle technologies, organised by the PCFV and Asian Clean Fuels Association (ACFA). The most notable result of that meeting was an intervention that resulted in the passing of a resolution by the Ministerial session of the League of Arab States (LAS) in Algiers in December 2006, stating: “Appreciating the efforts exerted by Arab States that have been using Unleaded Gasoline; and inviting other Arab states to achieve this (goal) by Year 2008, utilizing the support provided by UNEP vis-à-vis the PCFV Initiative; as well as inviting all Arab States to reduce sulfur contents in Diesel.”

The Manama meeting, by initiating a regional discussion, will serve as a significant step in engaging countries in further discussions and cooperation at the national level to create national action plans on the better implementation of clean fuels and vehicles and sustainable air quality management within the region. The meeting will also assess the current status of fuels and vehicles in the GCC region, progress made to date in fuel quality and vehicle standards, and the challenges remaining for the promotion of lead-free, low-sulphur fuels and improved vehicle standards. The meeting aims at sensitizing stakeholders and policy makers of GCC countries which will lead to:

1. A better understanding of the current state of fuels and vehicles of the GCC countries, and the challenges and opportunities available for cleaner fuels and vehicles;
2. A clearer understanding of 'who's who' and ongoing initiatives in GCC countries on this topic;
3. Improved sharing of information and knowledge through the establishment of expert networks and communication structures on fuel and vehicle issues for improved air quality.

Objective of the meeting

The goal of this meeting is to develop a clear vision of the way forward (including strategies and timelines) for lowering vehicle fuel sulphur levels, and promoting cleaner vehicle technology, along with the next steps to be taken at the sub regional and national levels. An outline of concrete recommendations and next steps for cleaner fuels and vehicles in GCC countries will be a key output of the meeting. Development of a realistic, step-by-step plan and timeframe for a reduction of sulphur levels in vehicle fuels to the lowest feasible level in each country and improvement in other fuel properties concurrent with emission control technologies and harmonization of standards, within GCC countries, with the overall objective to improve urban air quality in the region will be the target for follow up action.

Participants

Senior to middle level managers and policy makers from Ministries of Environment, Energy, Transport, refinery and industry groups (including local refineries, fuel distributor representatives, and oil companies, vehicle manufacturers / motoring associations / retailers/ emission control technology producers), international and regional institutions and agencies, research institutions, NGOs involved air quality and cleaner fuel and vehicle programs.

Ministerial and National-level participants are expected from the GCC countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Also invited to participate at the national level are Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Regional and International experts and guests from international organizations, PCFV partners and non-GCC countries are also expected to attend.

Meeting Venue and Dates

The meeting will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, on 12-13 March 2008, Manama, Bahrain. Please see the meeting agenda for the complete programme of the two days.

Travel

UNEP-sponsored participants will be provided with an economy-class round trip air ticket (the most direct economic route) from their city of residence to Manama, Bahrain, normally permitting arrival the day before the meeting, and return by the first available flight after the closure of the Meeting. PTAs will be dispatched to the participants a few days before the meeting.

For representatives from ministries, flight arrangements will be done by UNEP PCFV Clearing-House in Nairobi.

Daily Subsistence Allowance and Payment

For UNEP-sponsored participants, a daily subsistance allowance will be provided at the meeting in accordance with the UN rules and regulations. For UNEP-sponsored participants, UNEP will pay for the hotel accomodation bills directly to the hotel. However, participants must settle their other personal bills such as room service, laundry, telephone, breakfast and dinner, etc. directly with the hotel.

For non-sponsored participants, they are required to settle all their bills, including accommodation, directly with the hotel.

Lunch

Lunch will be provided to all participants on the days of the meeting.

Hotel

All meeting participants, except local participants, are booked for single-room accommodation at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Manama.

For non-sponsored participants and delegates, please provide your flight details to Mary M’Mukindia to arrange for room reservations. For information, the hotel rate per night is as follows:

Room Only Room with Breakfast

Deluxe Single Room BD 82 BD 91

Deluxe Double/Twin Room BD 92 BD 110

Crowne Plaza Club BD 115 (inclusive of buffet breakfast)

The above rates are inclusive of service charge and tax (15% and 5%).

Hotel Contact Address

Crowne Plaza Bahrain

P.O.Box 5831

Diplomatic Area

Manama. Kingdom of Bahrain

Tel 973 1753 1122

Fax 973 1753 0154

Email: info@cp-bahrain.com

Website: www.cp-bahrain.com

Airport Transfers

Hotel transport can be arranged at BD 5/- per normal pick up and BD 10/- per Limousine, one way, for all participants. Participants are kindly requested to inform Mary M’Mukindia if airport pickup and drop is required.

Official Languages at the Meeting

The official language of the meeting will be English, with Arabic simultaneous translation.

Registration of Participants

The meeting will begin promptly at 09:00 on Wednesday, 12 March 2008. Please see the meeting agenda for presentations and schedule.

Visas

For USA, European countries and UNLP holders visa is obtainable at the Bahrain airport. For representatives from the Middle East, Africa, Asia and others, a request for visa (minimum of 2 weeks) is required. Visa can be arranged directly by our Regional Office in Bahrain by sending scanned copies of the passport (the pages showing name, nationality, date of birth, passport expiry date, issuing authority) to Ms. Reem Al-Qawas.

Time zone

Time: UTC/GMT 3 hours

Currency

The Kingdom of Bahrain's currency is the Bahraini Dinar (BD). Estimate exchange rate is 2.66 USD / BD. Credit cards are widely accepted and can be cashed at most banks in Manama, the capital city of Bahrain. There are ATM cash machines at most of the banks and shopping malls.

Country

Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy. The country occupies an area of 665 Sq.Km and has a population of 708,573 (2007 estimate) of which 235,168 are non-nationals. The country mixes modern infrastructure with a Gulf identity and has a high GDP per capita of $23,604. Official language is Arabic but other languages including English are widely spoken.