Doha: The Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohamed bin Saleh Al Sada yesterday said that Qatar is committed to supporting all activities and initiatives for the provision of sustainable water resources.
“Qatar is joining the world community on 22nd March 2014, commemorating the historic day which is being observed as World Water Day across the world. World Water Day 2014 reminds us again of the importance of water for life continuity on earth,” he said speaking on the occasion of the World Water Day and GCC Conservation Week.
Keeping in view the importance of water, the Ministry of Energy and Industry, represented by the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation ‘Kahramaa’ has initiated the National Programme for the Conservation and Energy Efficiency popularly known as Tarsheed.
“The prime target of Tarsheed is to reduce the per capita water and electricity consumption in Qatar by 35 percent and 20 percent, respectively up to 2017. The per capita consumption of water and electricity is one of the highest in the world,” he said. “Tarsheed’s impacts are visible now. It has achieved a great progress in terms of electricity and water conservation in 2013. Electricity per capita consumption decreased by 10 percent and water per capita consumption decreased by six percent as compared to year 2012,” he said
HE Al Sada said Qatar is pursuing a policy for the optimal use of resources as part of the Natural Recourses Management Strategy, which is the road map to ensure its sustainability and to protect the rights of the coming generations. The conservation of resources is a common responsibility, which calls upon us to increase energy efficiency, stop wasting and efficient use of water and electricity. Conservation is an investment for the future that should take root as a culture of the people.
“The global figures show that worldwide, 1.3 billion people cannot access electricity, 768 million people lack access to improved water sources and 2.5 billion people have no improved sanitation. If the deprived ones get access to basic necessities, the world scenario will be changed and the poverty level will come down,” he said. “Water and energy have crucial impacts on poverty alleviation. The UN system working closely with member states and other stakeholders have paid attention to the water-energy nexus, particularly addressing inequities, especially for the ‘bottom billion’ who live in slums and impoverished rural areas and survive without access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, sufficient food and energy services,” he added.
He pointed out that the World Water Day coincides with GCC Conservation Week starting as of 22 March. It aims to mark the importance of conservation to save resources, he said, adding that the State of Qatar celebrates GCC Conservation Week by holding various activities to promote and deeply root the culture of conservation. It encourages the rational use and saving of resources.
The Peninsula
