The Minister of Environment and Climate Change participated in the Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to Combat Desertification and chaired the State of Qatar’s delegation during the opening ceremony
His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Sabai, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, chaired the Qatari delegation at the opening ceremony of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP 16) on Monday, December 2, 2024. The conference is being held in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and will continue for two weeks, from December 2 to 13, 2024.
His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Sabai, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, participated in the Ministerial Dialogue on Drought Resilience, which was held on the first day of the conference under the title “From Geneva to Riyadh and Beyond: Strengthening Global and National Policy Tools for a Proactive Approach to Drought Management.” The ministerial dialogue highlighted the urgent need for innovative approaches to address the systemic impacts of drought.
In his speech representing the State of Qatar at the ministerial dialogue, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Sabai emphasized Qatar’s commitment to actively contributing to global efforts to enhance resilience against drought. He pointed out the importance of enhancing international cooperation to develop tools, policies, and comprehensive development programs focused on drought prevention and adaptation. He also stressed the need for a proactive approach to shift from crisis management to preventive management through the application of early warning systems and the development of national plans based on accurate scientific data and information.
His Excellency also called for investment in innovation and technology, supporting scientific research, and adopting modern technologies to enhance drought prediction capabilities and manage natural resources efficiently. He emphasized the importance of engaging communities in the design and implementation of drought-related programs to ensure the sustainability of solutions and increase local resilience. Additionally, he encouraged the creation of sustainable financing mechanisms and supported drought adaptation projects and land restoration initiatives.
During his speech, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Sabai noted that Qatar has made significant efforts in combating desertification through the implementation of a range of projects and initiatives focused on environmental sustainability and natural resource management. He highlighted that the state has allocated approximately 27% of its land as nature reserves, along with the water harvesting project, which aims to preserve natural groundwater, the establishment of water treatment and recycling stations, and the development of modern irrigation methods, all of which have contributed to improving water consumption efficiency.
He also mentioned that the country has implemented effective policies to regulate water usage in developmental projects, aiming to achieve a sustainable balance between economic development and environmental preservation. COP 16 is the largest meeting of the parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, and the conference contributes to finding solutions to the environmental challenges threatening the planet, doubling efforts to combat land degradation, reducing drought impacts, and mobilizing resources to find effective solutions for restoring millions of hectares of degraded land and combating drought. This supports decision-makers and encourages the role of the private sector and civil society organizations in environmental protection and the preservation of natural resources.
