The event was held under the auspices of H E Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Oil and Gas. It was attended by PDO’s managing director Raoul Restucci and Dr Saif bin Rashid al Shaqsi, executive director of the National Field Research Centre for Environmental Conservation at the Diwan of Royal Court.
The programme included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, the launch of ‘Estidama’ (Sustainability) – PDO’s new energy management campaign, and announcing the winners of the Best Environmental Initiative Award, which was organised by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs in collaboration with PDO.
Under the terms of the pact, the company will partner with the National Field Research Centre for Environment Conservation (NFRC) to exchange knowledge between the two institutions by organising various programmes, training courses, workshops and lectures.
Building on its focus of sustainability, PDO launched Estidama which will support in centralising communication for all strategic projects that fall under the banner of energy and environment under one platform.
The campaign is dedicated to building a positive environmental culture across Oman by focusing on six main pillars: Renewable energy, people, energy efficiency, environment, energy saving and economy.
H E Aufi praised PDO on its leading role in safeguarding the environment, stressing that the Estidama campaign ‘is an excellent communication message’.
“Energy management is a critical driver at PDO as we gradually move to a fully fledged energy company and today’s event to mark Oman Environment Day provided us with the opportunity to announce new initiatives in support of this,” said Restucci.
“As part of this energy management and sustainability focus, the pact and the new Estidama campaign will enable us to deliver more value for our immediate stakeholders and indeed the whole of Oman in this key area.”
Oman Cement Company was announced as the winner of the Best Environmental Initiative Award which aimed at highlighting the role of companies in serving environment and creating a sense of shared responsibility towards environment conservation. Hodar Engineering Services and Nafath Renewable Energy won second and third prizes respectively.