The primary goal of environmental studies and research is to produce a sustainable world. Our earth is a closed system bulging with ever-increasing numbers of people who deplete the resources and damage the environment through a myriad of mechanisms. Technology, progress and the overall well-being of the human race are leading to resource utilization beyond sustainable limits. As a result, large quantities of waste, far exceeding the limits of management are also generated. It also seems apparent that technology will never be able to solve our most pressing environmental problems in the near future. Lasting solutions for environmental problems require research, education and cooperation at local, regional and international levels.   The Sultanate of Oman,  under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, has been in the forefront of establishing sound environmental policies in the Arabian Gulf region. Although the country boasts of a relatively pristine environment, its low population and limited scale of industrialization and, its environmental consciousness has resulted in the formulation and implementation of numerous policies that ensures a clean environment for the future. Similarly several landmark studies on environmental problems conducted in the Sultanate, such as the White Oryx reintroduction, have gained international recognition.       Environmental research in the Sultanate are undertaken by the Sultan Qaboos  University (SQU), at least five different ministries of the Government and the private sector - especially companies whose activities have a vast potential for environmental impacts. However, these research activities remain isolated and there was a lack of co-ordination between these institutions. Therefore, there was a need for establishing an organization to promote and co-ordinate environmental studies and research in the Sultanate. A proposal submitted to Sultan Qaboos University in June 1999 appealed for the establishment of a Centre for Environmental Studies and Research to fulfill this role. His Excellency, the President of SQU, after the approval by the University Council, established the Centre for Environmental Studies and Research (CESAR) and  His Excellency, the Vice Chancellor, appointed its first Director on 16 October 2000.