Qatar supports international efforts to protect water bodies, ensure their sustainability: Environment minister
PARIS: Minister of Environment and Climate Change HE Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie has affirmed the State of Qatar's commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at protecting water bodies and ensuring the sustainability of their resources.
The Minister highlighted the importance of international cooperation to address the growing challenges threatening the health of marine ecosystems.
During a speech he delivered at the third edition of the United Nations Ocean Conference, hosted by the French city of Nice over five days, the Minister explained that water bodies are the lifeblood of the planet and play a fundamental role in regulating the climate, providing food, and ensuring environmental and economic security. However, they face unprecedented pressures that require an urgent global response.
He noted that the State of Qatar strongly supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14, which concerns the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources, emphasizing that the health of these bodies of water represents a fundamental pillar in supporting countries' ability to achieve long-term economic and social development.
In his speech, the Minister reviewed the most prominent environmental initiatives adopted by the State of Qatar, including treating and recycling 100 percent of wastewater to at least the third level, preventing the discharge of treated wastewater into the sea, and reusing it for irrigation of green spaces, cooling, and industrial purposes.
He also highlighted the launch of the Third National Development Strategy (2024), which aims to protect 30 percent of marine areas and restore 30 percent of degraded natural habitats by 2030.
He also highlighted the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change's 2024-2030 Strategy, announced last November, which includes ambitious goals, most notably protecting 30 percent of island and coastal areas, ensuring the restoration of degraded habitats, and protecting endemic and endangered species.
He also highlighted the implementation of more than 100 environmental projects that promote green development and the circular economy, enhance the use of recycled resources, and consolidate environmental sustainability practices in the areas of infrastructure, energy, and land use.
Concluding his speech, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change affirmed that the State of Qatar continues to support innovation in combating climate change and is working to develop adaptation measures in cooperation with relevant authorities.
He emphasized that global environmental challenges require concerted international efforts to protect oceans and seas, considering them a shared resource and a collective responsibility.
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