Doha: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) participated in the second edition of the “Earthna 2025 Summit,” organized by Qatar Foundation under the theme “Building Our Legacy: Sustainability, Innovation, and Traditional Knowledge.”
According to Qatar News Agency, the Ministry was represented by Assistant Undersecretary for Climate Change Affairs, Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Sada; Assistant Undersecretary for Natural Reserves Affairs, Dr. Ibrahim Al Maslamani; and Assistant Undersecretary for Environmental Affairs, Abdulhadi Nasser Al Marri in various summit sessions.
During a session titled Dry Cities Network, Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Sada reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to integrating climate objectives into its development strategies. He emphasized that environmental sustainability is a core pillar of the country’s national plans, including the National Climate Action Plan and the Third National Development Strategy (2024 Spound ‘2030), both aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030. He also highlighted the importance of incorporating traditional knowledge in designing urban solutions to help cities adapt to climate change.
Dr. Ibrahim Al Maslamani participated in a session focusing on “Coral Reefs in Qatar,” where he presented the Ministry’s efforts to protect these vital marine ecosystems as part of the National Biodiversity Strategy. He noted the use of advanced scientific tools and regional partnerships to ensure the sustainability of coral reefs.
In a roundtable discussion titled “Coordinating GCC Efforts on Air Quality,” Abdulhadi Nasser Al Marri gave an overview of Qatar’s National Air Quality Monitoring Program, which includes more than 45 stations across all eight municipalities. He explained that the Ministry employs mobile monitoring units to precisely measure pollution levels and that the Air Quality Platform has significantly increased public awareness about the risks of relying on unreliable tools to assess air quality.
Hassan Al Qassimi, Director of the Environmental Monitoring and Inspection Department at MOECC, noted that Qatar’s Air Quality Index is based on national standards as well as the US Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) system. The index monitors five key pollutants: fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ground-level ozone, and carbon monoxide.
Youssef Al Hamar, Director of MOECC’s Wildlife Development, presented the first phase of the National Coral Reef Protection Initiative. He highlighted the Ministry’s use of cutting-edge technologies to enhance coral reproduction and resilience in the face of environmental challenges.
The Ministry also participated in sessions on mangrove trees and their role in preserving coastal ecosystems. A documentary film about Qatar’s mangrove forests was screened, and participants discussed leading regional practices in mangrove restoration. The Ministry shared that it had conducted scientific studies to identify optimal environments for mangrove planting and successfully launched three specialized nurseries, producing more than 15,000 seedlings over two years.
Additionally, the Ministry hosted an educational booth at the “Earthna Village” in Barahat Msheireb. The booth featured interactive environmental exhibits, including a whale tracking device, coral reef samples, a dugong skull, and a live mangrove tree with informative signage.
The “Earthna 2025 Summit” serves as a key platform for dialogue among policymakers, experts, and researchers in the fields of environment and sustainability. It supports national efforts to address environmental challenges at both regional and global levels.