Qatar Stresses Need to Face Acute Challenges of Climate Change

Qatar Stresses Need to Face Acute Challenges of Climate Change

Rome / Information Office / June 24

The State of Qatar stressed the need to confront all threats and severe challenges resulting from climate change and its impact on the scarcity of water resources, adding that the challenges facing agriculture in ensuring global food security and the sustainable management of natural resources were multifaceted.

This came in a speech by HE Minister of Municipality and Environment Eng. Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, delivered by HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Italy and Permanent Representative to the United Nations agencies in Rome Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Malki Al Jehni, before the 41st Session of the FAO Conference in Rome on Monday.

HE the Ambassador addressed the challenges and risks facing agriculture and global food security and the State of Qatar's promotion of sustainable development and development of agricultural production, fisheries and livestock.

HE Al Malki said that the challenges facing agriculture in ensuring global food security and the sustainable management of natural resources which are multifaceted and agriculture is closely related to nature and therefore vulnerable to volatility and knows no country boundaries today.

His Excellency added that despite the abundance of natural, human and even economic resources of many geographical regions in the world, there are regions suffering from various food crises, including the Near East and North Africa, as well as other Arab countries.

His Excellency added that the State of Qatar is strengthening its position on the international scene through sustainable development and continuously seeking innovative ideas and solutions to protect the environment and ensure its sustainability, as well as using innovations and modern practices in various sectors.

His Excellency praised the role of FAO in promoting and supporting efforts to achieve sustainable development and the development of a global food security strategy.

HE Al Malki said that in the belief of the State of Qatar that its food security is part of the regional and global food security, it has established companies specialized in agricultural, livestock and fish production and put forward many agricultural investment projects for private investors and a number of strategic projects to produce vegetables using greenhouses.

His Excellency added that Qatar established projects for the production of green fodder using treated water in order to achieve self-sufficiency, secure food supplies, ensure their safety and use renewable energies to apply best practices for the development of the agricultural sector and better use of limited natural resources.

His Excellency stressed Qatar's need to address all threats and challenges posed by climate and its impact on the scarcity of water resources, and this has negatively impacted crops, livestock, fish farms and agriculture, which cast a shadow over many countries and caused drought, desertification and degradation of agricultural land which could expose many people to malnutrition.

His Excellency pointed out that Qatar's strategy to achieve food security comes in accordance with the World Food Security Index, which ranked Qatar as the number one among Arab country and ranked 22nd globally.

His Excellency added that through its national strategy for food security, Qatar has managed to overcome all threats, challenges and negative impacts by providing all food, medicines and raw materials in a short and appropriate period.

HE Al Malki said he is pleased to participate in the conference, which is an important opportunity to stimulate global efforts for consultation, dialogue, finding practical solutions and taking the necessary decisions to achieve sustainable development and global food security.

HE Al Malki congratulated HE China's vice minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Qu Dongyu, who was elected as the new Director-General of the organization after winning the first round of voting with 108 votes out of 191 countries participating in the elections, wishing him success in his new mission.