12 April 2025 | Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

The Arab Network for Emerging Environmental Pollutants (EPN) was officially launched on 12 April 2025 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, under the gracious patronage of Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah, and Honorary President of the Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF).

The launch event marked a significant milestone for environmental science and public health in the Arab region, responding to a growing need for a unified professional and scientific platform dedicated to addressing emerging environmental pollutants. The initiative positions EPN as the first Arab network to offer specialized professional membership focused on pollutants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), microplastics, pharmaceutical residues, and personal care products.

High-level scientific and institutional leadership

The inaugural seminar, held virtually and open to participants across the region, brought together leading international and regional experts. The Guest of Honor was Ravi Naidu, Distinguished Laureate Professor and Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (crcCARE), Australia. Professor Naidu delivered a keynote address highlighting global experiences in contamination assessment and remediation, emphasizing the importance of translating scientific evidence into effective environmental management and policy.

Keynote contributions were also delivered by Abdullah Al-Najjar, President of ASTF, who outlined the Foundation’s long-standing role in advancing innovation, research excellence, and technology transfer in the Arab world. He underscored ASTF’s commitment to supporting EPN as a strategic platform for capacity building, regional cooperation, and scientific leadership.

Another keynote address was presented by Nagwa Abdel Meguid, EPN Board Member and Advisory Committee Chair, who focused on the health and socio-economic impacts of emerging environmental pollutants, stressing the urgency of integrating environmental science with public health strategies to protect vulnerable populations.

The seminar was chaired by Adel Al-Gheethi, Chairman of EPN, who presented the network’s vision, objectives, and operational roadmap. He highlighted EPN’s mission to build advanced Arab capacity in pollution monitoring, assessment, and remediation, while promoting professional development, accredited training, and international collaboration.

A One Health approach to emerging pollutants

Operating under the One Health framework, EPN seeks to bridge science, policy, and practice, recognizing the interconnectedness of environmental integrity, human health, and socio-economic stability. The network aims to support evidence-based decision-making by developing regional reference reports, harmonized monitoring methodologies, and professional certification pathways for environmental specialists.

According to organizers, EPN will play a pivotal role in addressing pollutants that are increasingly detected in water, soil, air, and food systems across the Arab region, many of which pose long-term risks due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential health effects.

Participants were informed that EPN membership programs will offer accredited professional certificates, structured training hours, and access to specialized scientific resources, supporting career development and enhancing the quality of environmental practice across the region.

Toward a unified Arab environmental platform

The official launch of EPN represents a strategic step toward consolidating Arab expertise in emerging environmental pollutants, fostering cross-border collaboration, and strengthening the region’s contribution to global environmental sustainability efforts.

By uniting scientists, policymakers, and practitioners under a single professional umbrella, EPN aims to elevate Arab scientific leadership, support sustainable development goals, and contribute meaningfully to the protection of environmental and public health at regional and global levels.