Abu Dhabi Corniche gets Blue Flag certification

The Abu Dhabi Corniche has become the first beach in the Arabian Gulf region to achieve Blue Flag certification for beaches and marinas. "Hundreds of Abu Dhabi residents visiting the beach can be confident that they are enjoying cleanest water and excellent safety measures," Municipal officials told Gulf News on the sidelines of an event to fly the Blue Flags on the corniche on Sunday morning. Based on compliance with 32 strict criteria, including environmental management, information and education, water quality, public safety and services, Blue Flag is only awarded to beaches which meet all of these stringent international standards. The certification was awarded by the Emirates Wildlife Society - World Wildlife Fund (EWS-WWF) acting as the national coordinator in the UAE for the Blue Flag Programme. Launched in 1987, the Blue Flag Programme is a voluntary eco-label acknowledged by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and is implemented in more than 3,550 beaches and marinas in around 40 countries worldwide. The Blue Flag is granted for one season at a time and aims to encourage sustainable development at beaches and marinas through the compliance with its rigorous criteria. Khalifa Al Mazroui, General Manager of the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City said: "We have always had a safe, world-class recreational location and the Blue Flag award is proof of these achievements and our progress towards the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030." "This global achievement highlights Abu Dhabi's track record of accomplishments towards promoting aesthetic and environmental values in alignment with the 2030 strategy and plans of the government of Abu Dhabi." From / Gulf News