Environment and climate change are pressing issues that require global cooperation and innovative solutions. In a recent meeting at the United Nations Forum on Forests held in New York, Minister of Environment and Climate Change H E Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie highlighted Qatar’s commitment to nature-based solutions (NbS) to address these challenges.
Qatar has launched numerous scientific initiatives focusing on NbS to enhance biodiversity, recycle water, protect coasts, and preserve the environment in collaboration with specialized research centers. One of these initiatives involves the preparation of maps for all areas suitable for agriculture, identifying the types of trees and crops suitable for each region, especially in coastal areas.
The NbS initiative in Qatar has led to the expansion of tree forests in natural reserves, enriching and sustaining coastal areas. These forests have shown potential in enhancing biodiversity, improving food security, sequestering carbon, and producing oxygen. The country has successfully overcome challenges such as rising temperatures, high salinity, and limited arable land in developing coastal areas.
During a high-level roundtable discussion on “Forest-based solutions to the triple planetary crises,” Minister Al Subaie highlighted Qatar’s efforts in reviving ecosystems and launching qualitative initiatives to preserve nature. Qatar has been expanding the establishment of green belts throughout the country and announced a project to plant ten million trees by 2030, with the launch of the One Million Trees initiative in 2022.
The national programme for the rehabilitation and conservation of marine ecosystems on Qatar’s coasts and beaches has contributed to enriching and supporting marine biodiversity by protecting and conserving seagrass beds and coral reefs. Minister Al Subaie expressed Qatar’s readiness to share its successful experience in establishing green belts and planting coastal trees with other friendly and brotherly countries to promote international cooperation in preserving the green planet.
The United Nations Forum on Forests, held from May 6 to 10 at the UN headquarters, focused on enhancing the economic and social benefits of forests, increasing the area of protected forests globally, and steps needed to enhance sustainable forest management. Global collaboration and innovative nature-based solutions are essential in addressing climate change and environmental preservation for a sustainable future.
