For those of you who were fortunate enough to miss the clip below on youtube, this is Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammad Al Khalifa (Bahrain’s Finance Minister) answering The Davos Question (“What one thing do you think that countries, companies or individuals must do to make the world a better place in 2008?”).

The WHO?!.. Environment? In Bahrain?!
I am not sure if it’s just me, or does this really sound like another headline from Akhbar AlKhalij or AlAyam.. something tells me if he went on for another minute he would be praising the political reforms in the country and pledging allegiance to the government and his highness the king, but that’s a different story altogether.

Dare I remind you sir that Bahrain has the sixth highest level of carbon dioxide emissions in the world? Dare I remind you that our beaches literally serve as “litter bins” and are practically unsafe to even walk on? Dare I remind you about AlMa’ameer? About Fasht AlJarim? About Tubli Bay? About the coral reef that was recently just approved to be ripped out to carry out the “Bahrain Bay” project? (More)

It is one thing to fly all the way to Geneva to attend the world economic forum, dress up in a fancy suite and talk the talk, now bringing this talk to reality is a whole different business. I honestly don’t understand how any Bahraini official could even talk about environmental protection issues given the miserable situation of the country, but I guess something had to be said in reply to the question.. And considering the circumstances, talking about the “environment” (like chatting about the weather on a first date) seems to be the easy way out.

You know, public speaking is a hard earned skill that not many enjoy. I often wonder how Arab politicians and leader would sound like if they were to give public addresses to the nations or answer random questions by reports in conferences and such.

But then again, it’s all about the enviorment!