Forum held on protection, afforestation of coastal areas

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), in collaboration with the Qatar Foundation (QF)'s Earthna Centre and Qatar University’s Environmental Science Centre (ESC), organised a forum Monday on Protection and afforestation of coastal areas in Qatar with mangrove trees.

This is the first in a series towards an action plan with the participation of the Thailand embassy, aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and biodiversity protection in Qatar.

Addressing the participants, Youssef Ibrahim al-Hamar, the director of the MoECC’s Wildlife Development Department, stressed that Qatar is making significant efforts to protect and rehabilitate its coastal ecosystems, focusing on mangrove trees, which play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity, protecting coastlines, and enhancing environmental sustainability.

He said that the ministry, in collaboration with the ESC and Earthna, has launched a national joint programme to protect and rehabilitate coastal areas, including mangrove trees, seagrasses, and coral reefs, supported by the Mediterranean Shipping Company.

Al-Hamar explained that the MoECC has established a special nursery for mangrove propagation, where over 15,000 seedlings have been cultivated.

Scientific studies have been conducted in collaboration with research and academic institutions to monitor and assess optimal environments for replanting.

The ministry has also launched an awareness campaign, including field visits for school students to enhance environmental awareness on the importance of mangrove trees in preserving marine biodiversity.

Al-Hamar noted that the National Coastal Protection Programme is in line with Qatar National Vision 2030’s third strategy and is consistent with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which supports global efforts to protect the environmental resources.

He further highlighted that the ministry is working with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s West Asia Office to develop a biodiversity database, including updated maps of mangrove distribution in Qatar, alongside a comprehensive protection plan.

Dr Radwan Ben Hammado, the director of the Research and Policy Section at Earthna, welcomed the participants, while Thai ambassador Sira Swangsilpa delivered a presentation on biodiversity in Thailand, including proposals for cooperation between the two countries in this field.

The forum featured a presentation by the director of the Mangrove Forest Protection Department at Thailand’s ministry of natural resources and environment, who shared Thailand’s experience in protecting mangrove forests and the role of public-private partnerships in supporting these efforts.

Working groups were formed to discuss key topics related to mangrove protection, education, and eco-tourism.

The final general session reviewed the working groups reports and discussed the importance of establishing a national and international network to support the project.