Ministry workshop discusses final draft of national strategy, action plan to combat desertification

Qatar Tribune

20-05-2025

QNA
Doha
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change launched the second workshop to discuss the final draft of the National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Desertification in the State of Qatar. The workshop, which will be held on May 20 and 21, features the participation of several national entities and a select group of experts and specialists.
The workshop is held under the patronage of Minister of Environment and Climate Change HE Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, and is part of the country's efforts to promote environmental sustainability and address the challenges of land degradation through a comprehensive national strategy that aligns with the objectives of the Third National Development Strategy (2024-2030) and seeks to integrate with the country's developmental, economic, and social trajectories.
In his opening remarks, Dr Ibrahim Abdul Latif Al Musalmani, who serves as Assistant Undersecretary for Protection and Natural Reserves at the Ministry, emphasised that the national strategy being prepared in cooperation with relevant authorities reflects Qatar's commitment to combating desertification and drought from a sustainable development perspective. This strategy involves conserving natural resources, protecting biodiversity, achieving optimal land use, and updating relevant legislative and executive frameworks.
Al Musalmani noted that Qatar, since joining the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in January 1999, has continued to support international efforts in this field by developing environmental policies and legislation and strengthening cooperation with international partners.
For his part, Director of the Wildlife Development Department at the ministry Yousef Ibrahim Al Hamar noted that the workshop represents an advanced step toward adopting a comprehensive national program to combat desertification, based on technical and field consultations, most notably the workshop held last July to discuss the initial draft.
He added that the preparation of the national programme falls within the framework of the third National Development Strategy, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly its environmental pillar, which aims to achieve a balance between economic and social development and environmental protection.
Al Hamar highlighted the importance of adopting an integrated national approach and close cooperation between all relevant parties, emphasising that the success of the strategy depends on effective institutional partnerships during both the preparation and implementation phases.
The workshop featured a presentation by expert Bilal Qteishat on the general framework for preparing the international strategy to combat desertification, as well as a review of the achievements made in preparing the national draft, within the context of efforts to reduce land degradation and strengthen the country's environmental commitments at the regional and international levels.