Doha, Qatar: On the occasion of Qatar Environment Day, Minister of Environment and Climate Change H E Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie honoured the winners of the awareness poster design competition on the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The ceremony was organized by the Ministry at Bait Al Sharika in the Msheireb area.
The event was attended by H E Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak bin Ghanem Mohammed Al Ali, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture; Eng. Ali Mohammed Al Kuwari, Chief Executive Officer of Msheireb Properties; Dr. Ibrahim Abdul Latif Al Muslamani, Assistant Undersecretary for Protection and Natural Reserves Affairs; and Mr. Yousef Ibrahim Al Hammr, Assistant Undersecretary for Environmental Affairs.
Held under the slogan “Let’s Make Mercury a Thing of the Past,” the competition aimed to highlight the risks of mercury to human health and the environment, while showcasing the role of visual arts as an effective awareness tool for delivering impactful environmental messages in creative ways. The initiative aligns with the State of Qatar’s commitments under the international convention, which seeks to reduce mercury use and limit its harmful effects.
The competition witnessed wide participation from school and university students, as well as individuals interested in environmental issues. The submitted works reflected advanced awareness of the toxic impacts of mercury on humans and ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of collective community efforts to mitigate its risks and raising awareness about the Convention’s role in regulating mercury use and reducing emissions.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change affirmed that honouring the winners during Qatar Environment Day reflects appreciation for their creativity and contributions to promoting environmental awareness. It also aims to encourage further youth-led initiatives that help build a safer and more sustainable future for coming generations. The Ministry stressed that investing in youth awareness remains a cornerstone in achieving sustainable development goals.
During the ceremony, the Minister also honoured Eng. Hussein Mohammed Haji in recognition of his efforts in implementing the “Rapid Detection of Hazardous Chemicals at Points of Entry for Goods and Parcels” project. The initiative supports the environmental monitoring system by accelerating verification procedures for hazardous chemicals, particularly those regulated under international environmental agreements.
