Cairo: The State of Qatar participated in the 4th session of the Council of Arab Ministers for Meteorology and Climate Affairs, held at the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States. The ministerial-level session included representatives from relevant Arab, regional, and international organizations.
According to Qatar News Agency, Qatar's delegation was led by Abdullah Al Mannai, Director of the Meteorology Department at the General Authority of Civil Aviation. During the session, HE Ambassador Ali bin Ibrahim Al Malki, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Economic Affairs Sector at the Arab League, emphasized the importance of enhancing the Council of Arab Ministers for Meteorology and Climate Affairs. He described the Council as a crucial platform for information exchange and collaborative efforts among Arab states to develop strategies for monitoring and predicting climate change and mitigating its impacts.
HE Al Malki highlighted the Council's responsibilities, including investing in capacity building, advancing meteorological research, and fostering knowledge exchange among member states. These initiatives aim to improve forecasting, reduce natural disaster impacts, and enhance regional adaptability to climate phenomena. He also stressed the Council's role in guiding Arab climate policies and unifying Arab positions in international forums.
The urgency of the meeting was underscored by the severe environmental challenges facing the region, including threats to food and water security and economic stability due to climate change and extreme weather. HE Al Malki called for coordinated national efforts to improve meteorological systems and regional cooperation.
Additionally, the Assistant Secretary-General addressed the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, resulting from ongoing Israeli military escalation. He urged the international community to take immediate action to end the conflict and commended Arab countries' efforts in supporting Palestine and opposing Israeli actions. He praised the resilience of the Palestinian people amid continued aggression since October 2023.