This event is being organized by the World Deserts Foundation, the Zayed International Prize for the Environment, the Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing Department and the Dubai Police. The meeting will attempt to: draw the attention of desert people and governments to the ideal model for fast and steady socio-economic development in desert regions; assess sustainable development strategies in desert regions and identify barriers to their implementation; develop a set of recommendations for collaboration between the governments, IGOs, NGOs and the UN agencies in environmental, socio-cultural and economic aspects of sustainable development in desert regions; and develop a Charter for Sustainable Development of Desert Regions.  

dates: 16-22 April 2005  
location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates  
contact: Zayed International Prize for the Environment  
phone: 971-4-332-6666  
fax: 971-4-332-6777  
e-mail: zayedprz@eim.ae  
www: http://www.zayedprize.org.ae/tacsoftnet/images/brochures/brochures_51.pdf