Fahad bin Mohammed Al Attiyah at a press conference at the QNCC yesterday. Salim Matramkot
DOHA: Qatar’s decision to host COP18/CMP8 is yet another reflection of the host country’s commitment to sustainable development, said Fahad bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, Chairman of the Organising Sub-Committee for COP18/CMP8 .
Al Attiyah was speaking during a press briefing at the Qatar National Convention Centre, where negotiations for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, 2012 are taking place. Al Attiyah said that Qatar is seeking to transform its economy from the dependency on oil and gas to the knowledge-based economy.
“We are extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change,” said Al Attiyah, who noted that careful environmental development is one of the four pillars in Qatar’s ambitious plans set out in the National Vision 2030.
Al Attiyah said 7,000 members of observer organisations have registered to participate in COP18/CMP8 Doha, and more than 30 regional civil society groups are involved in the smooth conduct of the summit.
About 12,000 people are in Doha for the conference and more are expected to join when the high-level segment begins next week.
He said that 440 buses were allocated to transport delegates. These buses have been operating since 19th of this month for the sessions that preceded the opening of the Conference. “The eVisa system has worked very well,” Al Attiyah said while extending his thanks to the Ministry of Interior for its efforts, referring to the automatic visa system put in place by the host country, Qatar, for this year’s sessions.
Replying to a query, he said the problems faced by a section of local media in covering the conference would be resolved by the organising committee.
The Peninsula
