Dubai Municipality on Sunday organised the ninth "Car Free Day" with the participation of government, semi-government and private organisations.

It was also participated by a number of dignitaries and heads of government departments and various sectors such as education, real estate, retail, hotels, banks and People of Determination, ensuring comprehensive support for the initiative.

Ajman, Al Ain and Ras Al Khaimah Municipalities also joined hands with Dubai Municipality in the initiative this year.

Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality travelled from Etisalat Metro Station to Union Metro Station and inaugurated the activities of 9th Car Free Day at Union Metro Park in the presence of Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Abdullah Al Basti, Secretary-General of the Executive Council in Dubai, Major General Mohammed Al Marri, Director General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Ahmed Julfar, Director General of Community Development Authority, Abdul Rahman Al Saleh, Director General of Dubai Finance Department.

And Khalifa Bin Darrai, CEO of Dubai Cooperation for Ambulance Services, Ali Al Mutawa, Secretary General of Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation in Dubai, Ali Ibrahim, Deputy Director General of Dubai Economic Development Department, Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, Board Member of the Roads and Transport Authority, Naji Al Hay, Assistant Under-Secretary of Social Development in the Ministry of Community Development, and Major General Mohamed Saad Al Sharif, Assistant Commander of Administration Affairs, Dubai Police, and a number of officials from various local and federal government departments.

"Dubai is already the first city in the world to achieve a sustainable clean environment through its environmental and health initiatives," said Lootah. "It is a great pleasure for Dubai to have this great participation of the UAE's municipalities, government departments, establishments and institutions and a large number of individuals in the Year of Zayed," he said.

Lootah stressed on the constant efforts of the Municipality to raise Dubai’s profile among the world’s eco-friendly cities by finding all sustainable and effective solutions to meet the various environmental challenges, most notably air pollution and increase in the carbon footprint resulting from vehicle emissions.

"Each vehicle, with a full tank fuel size of 15 gallons, emits nearly 140 kilograms of carbon dioxide into the air, taking the annual emissions to four tons, contributing towards global warming. The campaign will contribute in achieving our objectives of UAE National Agenda 2021 in preserving air quality and reducing carbon footprint," he added.

Lootah also expressed his happiness over the participation of Al Ain, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah Municipalities this year, as it is no more a local event and has become a role model for protecting the environment from carbon pollution that affects everyone.

Lootah also announced the launch of the first environmentally friendly mobile air quality monitoring station at the regional level in terms of design, quality of equipment and tools. He also revealed the launch of the environmental sustainability guide for the industrial sector in Dubai.