Doha: Minister of Environment H E Ahmed Amer Mohamed Al Humaidi said Qatar has provided a unique model for preserving and protecting the environment, thanks to directives of Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The Minister said Qatar developed environmental systems, laws and action plans that included projects and programmes for the protection and conservation of natural resources, fighting all types of pollution, the protection of the environment and the safety of the community. In an editorial in the first issue of the quarterly magazine, Environment, published by the ministry, Al Humaidi said the ministry is sparing no effort to present an ideal environment vision in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
He said the ministry’s main mission is to protect and develop Qatari environment and promote capacity- building, awareness and partnership with community to ensure environmental sustainability. He stressed continued efforts and work to maintain the ministry’s achievements for the sake of environmental protection and preservation to achieve sustainable development pursued by Qatar.
Ahmed Hussein Al Mutawa, Editor- in-Chief of the magazine, said in the past two decades the world has witnessed a major change in the concept of environmental protection considering that the most important issues accorded attention by developed and developing countries.
He said most developed and developing countries, including Qatar, have committed themselves to systems and mechanisms related to environmental protection, the preservation of natural resources and the safety of the community in accordance with what was approved by many Arab, Gulf, regional and international conferences, including the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and the Johannesburg Summit in 2002.
Al Mutawa described the 21st session of the recent Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) in Paris as the biggest climate summit in the history of climate negotiations. He said Qatar’s participation and the Emir’s presence at the opening session of COP21 reflected the significant role played by Qatar along with the international community in the protection of the planet. He said Qatar is an active member of international organisations and one of the countries which has gained respect and appreciation for its constructive efforts in solving problems through peaceful and political means.
The Peninsula
