Doha: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change launched Tuesday the second workshop to discuss the final draft of the National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Desertification in the State of Qatar.
According to Qatar News Agency, the workshop, scheduled for May 20 and 21, includes participation from several national entities and a select group of experts and specialists. The event is held under the patronage of HE Minister of Environment and Climate Change Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, and it aims to promote environmental sustainability and address land degradation challenges through a comprehensive national strategy. This strategy is aligned with the objectives of the Third National Development Strategy (2024-2030) and seeks to integrate with Qatar’s developmental, economic, and social goals.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul Latif Al Musalmani, Assistant Undersecretary for Protection and Natural Reserves at the Ministry, highlighted that the national strategy being developed in cooperation with relevant authorities underscores Qatar’s commitment to combating desertification and drought from a sustainable development perspective. The strategy focuses on conserving natural resources, protecting biodiversity, achieving optimal land use, and updating legislative and executive frameworks.
Al Musalmani emphasized that since Qatar joined the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in January 1999, it has supported international efforts by developing environmental policies and legislation and strengthening cooperation with international partners.
Director of the Wildlife Development Department at the Ministry, Yousef Ibrahim Al Hamar, noted that the workshop represents a significant step toward adopting a comprehensive national program to combat desertification, informed by technical and field consultations, including a previous workshop held last July to discuss the initial draft. He added that the national program’s preparation aligns with the third National Development Strategy and the Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly its environmental pillar, which seeks to balance economic and social development with environmental protection.
Al Hamar stressed the importance of adopting an integrated national approach and close cooperation among all relevant parties, noting that the strategy’s success relies on effective institutional partnerships during both preparation and implementation phases.
The workshop included a presentation by expert Bilal Qteishat on the general framework for preparing the international strategy to combat desertification and a review of the achievements made in preparing the national draft. These efforts aim to reduce land degradation and strengthen Qatar’s environmental commitments at regional and international levels.