27% of country's area made up of natural reserves: minister

HE the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed bin Ali al-Thani affirmed Sunday that the ministry is working hard to preserve the environment and enhance sustainability, pointing out that 27% of the country's area is made up of natural reserves.Addressing the opening session of the second World Congress of Engineering and Technology (WCET), which kicked off Sunday at Qatar University, Sheikh Dr Faleh pointed out that the international agreements and UN recommendations stipulate that the natural reserves should cover 30% of the total land area, and 30% of maritime space classified as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).He highlighted the ministry's endeavours to achieve this specified area in the coming years, while preserving plant and animal biodiversity in the country.Highlighting the MoECC's strategy for the environment and climate change, currently being implemented thanks to various national agencies' efforts, he said that one of its commitments is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030, stressing that Qatar is able to reach that percentage ahead of the specified time.Qatar deployed more than 40 air quality monitoring stations nationwide in a bid to reach a permanent air quality monitoring system in the country, he said.He highlighted the ministry's efforts to digitise all services provided to the public and its many successful projects, such as co-operation with the banking sector for green financing and project services.In a related context, HE the Minister highlighted the co-operation between the MoECC and the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council, to launch a new innovation opportunity in the logistics services sector to find innovative solutions for the rapid detection system for banned and restricted chemicals at entry points for containers and parcels.He stressed, in this respect, the ministry's collaboration with Qatar Universality in the research and training areas, as well as cooperation with other agencies such as ExxonMobil Research in a number of studies related to site rehabilitation, marine life monitoring, and geological survey.The second WCET, which runs from February 5-8, includes the second International Conference on Civil Infrastructure and Construction (CIC 2023), and the 15th International Conference on Vibration Problems (ICOVP 2023).The CIC 2023 will discuss several main axes related to construction engineering and management, infrastructure sustainability, renewal and monitoring, sustainable architecture and urban planning, as well as water, environment and climate change.The ICOVP 2023 provides an opportunity for engineers and researchers in Qatar to present the results of their research and to discuss current challenges in the field.