Doha: The Minister of Environment H E Ahmed Amer Al Humaidi praised Qatar’s efforts in the field of economic and social development under the leadership of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Addressing the Environment and Sustainability Forum, organised by the ministry in cooperation with The Youth Company in Doha to mark World Environment Day, the Minister said, “Qatar has already started developing socially and economically, ensuring environmental safety.
“Our aim is environmental sustainability to preserve the environment and natural resources for the upcoming generations, at the same level which is available for the current generation, and the youth have a huge role in environmental affairs by creating enlightened mentality, creative ideas and developing social curriculum.
“The unsustainable consumption of power and water is one of the most important challenges in today’s world.
“The people of Qatar are facing the same challenges. We have to work on developing and moving our society towards better methods of consumption and waste reduction.
“Qatar has a huge role on global, regional and local levels. At the regional level, we are working to promote research and exchange of knowledge and technology between GCC and Arab countries.
“At the ministry, we have a programme to teach citizens how to achieve environmental sustainability and we are working on a compressive plan to involve everyone in environmental initiatives — through residents, institutions and non-governmental organisations.
“The passion of youth is encouraging and we are aiming for them to take part in the biggest way possible in Qatar and face challenges in our community and worldwide.
“The ministry is committed to providing all possible help to all initiatives that support environmental awareness in Qatar,” he added.
Ahmed Mohammed Al Sada, Assistant Undersecretary for Environmental Affairs at the ministry, said Qatar, while joining the world in World Environment Day celebrations, recognises that climate change is one of the problems that threaten the environment of the planet and that global warming is threatening ecosystems of seas and oceans.
He highlighted consequences of climate change, including harm to the poor and infrastructure in coastal cities, decrease of agrarian land, exposure of plants and animals to risks and migration of marine organisms to cooler waters hundreds of miles away.
Qatar is working hard to achieve environmental sustainability by focusing on environmental protection and development leading to sustainability in relation to the planning and implementation of all development projects, Al Sada said.
“We have many challenges related to the management of water, energy and waste, which requires directing and educating the community to the best consumption systems, upbringing a generation which is aware of environmental problems and encouraging environment-friendly initiatives, cooperation and exchange of knowledge and technology on regional and international levels.
Yvette Burghgraef Van Eechoud, Ambassador of the Netherlands, said many entrepreneurs in her country have developed amazing green products and services such as cool smartphones using Waka Waka solar charger.
The forum included environmental activities and programmes.
The day is celebrated every year on June 5 to raise global awareness about positive action to protect the environment and the planet. It is run by the United Nations Environment Programme.
QNA
