Al-Sharq, Al-Raya Commend Qatar's Great Interest on Environment, Climate Change

Doha, March 06 (QNA) - Qatari newspapers Al-Sharq and Al-Raya praised in their Sunday editorials the great interest that the State of Qatar attaches to the environment and climate change, realizing the danger of ignoring this phenomenon and the unprecedented natural disasters it may cause can put people's lives and well-being at stake. The two newspapers stressed that Qatar pays great attention to the risks of climate change locally and internationally, and has spared no effort in supporting the global response to addressing climate change and saving the planet, noting that after the launch of Qatar National Environment and Climate Change Strategy, the State devoted itself as a world leader in the field of environmental protection and combating climate change and global warming. For its part, Al-Sharq newspaper pointed out that under the patronage of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani, the Ministry of Municipality and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change will organize the 9th International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ) and the 3rd International Environmental Exhibition (EnviroteQ) at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center from March 10 to 14, with the participation of more than 650 local and international bodies from the sectors of agriculture, environment, food and animal production. The State of Qatar participated on Saturday in a delegation headed by HE Minister of Environment and Climate Change Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed bin Ali Al-Thani to the meetings of the 5th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly and in the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations Environment Program, in Nairobi, the paper said. Al-Sharq also drew attention to the participation of HE Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah in the initiative of the Ministry of Municipality to plant one million trees, and HE the Chairperson's planting of tree No. 750 under the name 'National Human Rights Committee.' HE noted that the NHRC participation in the initiative contributes directly to the consolidation of the concepts of caring for the environment for its positive contributions to create a healthy life and a healthy society. HE stressed the need to continue the existing efforts to raise awareness and environmental education, and join hands in this regard with the concerned authorities to raise societal awareness for a "green Qatar", the paper added. Concluding, Al-Sharq stated that these simultaneous events reflect Qatar's interest in activities related to the environment, based on its commitment to international commitments and the Paris Agreement to reduce carbon emissions, in addition to strengthening its initiatives in the field of reducing the effects of climate change and environmental sustainability efforts, and continuing its efforts to protect the environment and achieve environmental sustainability. For its part, Al-Raya daily newspaper affirmed that the State of Qatar attaches great importance to the environment and climate change, as it is aware of the danger of ignoring this phenomenon, which has caused unprecedented natural disasters. In this regard, the paper noted the State of Qatar's participation in the meetings of the 5th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2 in-person session), and in the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations Environment Program, in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. The paper also highlighted the recently launched Qatar National Environment and Climate Change Strategy, and the creation of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to lead national efforts in this field. Al-Raya stressed that the country pays great attention to the risks of climate change locally and internationally, and has spared no effort to support the global response to address climate change and save the planet, adding that Doha hosted the 18th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 18) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2012, and witnessed the launch of the initiative to establish the Global Drylands Alliance, which is one of the international mechanisms aimed at confronting climate change. It also noted Qatar's contribution of $100 million to support small island developing states and least developed countries to address climate change. The daily newspaper pointed out that Qatar seeks to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the environment and combating climate change at the global level, and takes the lead in achieving everything that would protect the planet and the future of generations to come to live in safety and sustainability. The paper referred to HE Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah's affirmation in statements on the occasion of the NHRC participation in the initiative of the Ministry of Municipality to plant one million trees, and HE the Chairperson's planting of tree No. 750 under the name 'National Human Rights Committee' that Qatar is adhered to international commitments and the Paris Agreement on reducing carbon emissions, and to strengthen its initiatives in the field of climate change mitigation and environmental sustainability efforts. After launching its National Environment and Climate Change Strategy, Qatar has devoted itself as a world leader in protecting the environment and combating the climate change and global warming, as it has transformed its vision and continuous endeavors to protect the environment and combat climate change, which poses a threat to nature, health, and the economy across the world, into a long-term plan that is consistent with the country's development goals and includes dozens of initiatives, jointly implemented by the government and the private sector, the paper said. In conclusion, Al-Raya said that Qatar National Environment and Climate Change Strategy is a roadmap and one of the main pillars for achieving Qatar National Vision 2030 based on environmental development and in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, noting the State of Qatar's great efforts aimed at achieving a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. (QNA)