QNA
Doha
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) on Tuesday held Marine Wildlife Forum 2025, with the attendance of Undersecretary of MoECC HE Eng Abdulaziz bin Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud, along with a lineup of officials, experts, academics, and environmental enthusiasts.
Held under the patronage of Minister of Environment and Climate Change HE Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, the forum aims to beef up the protection of Qatar’s marine resources, particularly coral reefs, and ensure their sustainability. This initiative is part of the country’s commitment to preserving its marine environment and biodiversity, aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030).
Moderated by forum chairman Dr Mohammed Saif Al Kuwari, the forum featured contributions from Director of the Wildlife Development at MoECC Yousef Ibrahim Al Hamar, Professor Shaker Hamza Hussein Al Hazim from Kuwait, Dr Mohsen Abdullah Al Yafai of Qatar University, and environmental activist Brigadier-General Mohammed Yousef Al Jaida.
In his opening remarks, Dr Kuwari said that coral reefs are crucial components of the marine ecosystem and habitats for millions of species, pointed out that Qatar prioritises coral reef protection, in recognition of their essential role in maintaining ecological balance and safeguarding marine resources for future generations.
He added that as part of QNV 2030, MoECC launched a programme back in 2024 to protect and restore coral reefs in the country, through which the ministry has surveyed and studied 17 sites in Qatar’s territorial waters to assess the condition of coral reefs, to then develop them and restore damaged areas.
Dr Kuwari said that the programme aims to identify coral-rich areas and those that can support the transplantation of cultivated coral reefs; a pioneering initiative in developing Qatar’s marine wildlife.
Under the programme, he added, studies led to the discovery of two new soft coral species in Qatar, in addition to the 40 hard coral species and five other soft coral types; two in deep waters and three in shallow waters. This reflects the richness of Qatar’s marine environment in terms of biodiversity. These efforts are part of the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030 and the national biodiversity plan, demonstrating Qatar’s commitment to implementing the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and achieving QNV 2030.
For his part, Director of the Wildlife Development at MoECC Yousef Ibrahim Al Hamar said that the ministry completed the first phase of the national coral reef protection project in October 2024, in just 10 months.
He added that this project represents a significant leap in environmental initiatives, contributing to food security by providing a fertile environment for all types of local fish, as well as preserving biodiversity and supporting the sustainability of Qatar’s marine environment.
He said the project has also attracted rare species of whales and dolphins to Qatar’s waters, reflecting national efforts’ success in preserving marine biodiversity.
Hamar added that the next phase will involve transferring coral reefs from donor areas to damaged ones to further promote the development of marine wildlife.
Mohsen Abdullah Al Yafai presented Qatar’s experience in protecting its marine resources, while Professor Dr Shaker Hamza Hussein Al Hazim shared Kuwait’s experience in this regard.