QNA
Doha
The current global changes, with their environmental and climate impacts, have become an ongoing threat that requires, more than ever, intensified efforts and continuous coordination, as well as anticipating the future to avoid their consequences, Minister of Environment and Climate Change HE Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie has said.
In his opening remarks at the 26th Meeting of GCC Ministers of Environment Affairs in Doha on Tuesday, Dr Subaie, who is the chair of the meeting, said efforts must be made to preserve the gains of the GCC council in coordinating its desired vision and ensuring sustainable development for current and future generations.
He said the meeting is being held in light of rapid and unprecedented developments in regional and international environmental agendas, especially the increasing natural disasters and negative effects of climate change.
He emphasised that the opportunity is available through this meeting for further exchange of ideas and unification of opinions and positions in preparation for upcoming meetings and their negotiating paths, similar to other conferences, including the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, which will be held in Saudi Arabia, the 25th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, and the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Dr Subaie praised the dedicated efforts of Oman during the previous session and its unlimited keenness to achieve the desired visions of the GCC council in the environmental and climate framework.
For his part, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi praised the efforts of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his leaders of the GCC countries, which had a significant impact in advancing the progress of the Council to broader areas. He pointed out the pivotal role played by the environment in the Gulf countries, as its preservation has become an essential part of their national visions, with a focus on addressing its challenges in climate change and water scarcity.
Minister of Oil and Environment of Bahrain Dr Mohammed bin Mubarak Bin Dainah stressed the role played by the Gulf Ministerial Council in addressing common issues in all positions, whether regional or international, noting that all countries in the region and the world are suffering today from the challenges of climate change, and that environmental challenges include a political aspect, so it is important for the countries of the region to negotiate any political decision.
For his part, Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture of Saudi Arabia Eng Mansour bin Hilal Al Mushaiti highlighted the contribution of the Ministerial Council, through this committee, in advancing the joint environmental work process towards achieving the goals of sustainable development in the region.
He expressed his aspiration to enhance the role of the national development funds in the GCC countries to follow up on the development of the vegetation cover in the region and the Council’s effective participation in the initiative hosted by Saudi Arabia on October 16.
Chairman of the Environment Authority of Oman Dr Abdullah bin Ali Al Amri reviewed his country’s efforts in protecting wildlife and endangered animals, noting the efforts of the GCC countries in cooperation and solidarity in everything that would protect the environment with all its components, and the continuous coordination and communication between its countries to take what they deem appropriate to protect the environment regionally and internationally.
For her part, Acting Director-General of the Public Environment Authority of Kuwait Eng Samira Mohamad Al Kandari attributed the stability and distinguished growth witnessed by the GCC countries to the wise directives of the leaders of the GCC countries and their continuous emphasis on the necessity of protecting the environment, preserving its natural resources and sustainable development through planning and implementation that takes into account the environmental dimension in all development projects.