Minister of Environment and Climate Change H E Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed bin Ali Al Thani (first right back row);Vice-Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani (first left) and President of Qatar University Dr. Hassan Al Derham (centre) witnessing the signing ceremony. Assistant Undersecretary for Protection Affairs and Natural Reserves at MoECC Dr. Ibrahim Al Maslamani (first row right), Professor Mariam Al Ali Al Maadeed, Vice-President for Research and Graduate Studies at Qatar University (centre) and Executive Director of Earthna Dr. Gonzalo Castro de la Mata (first left) during the signing of the agreement.
Doha: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Qatar University’s Environmental Science Centre, and Qatar Foundation’s Earthna Centre for a Sustainable Future have signalled their intent to collaborate on a national programme to conserve and restore Qatar’s coastal ecosystems.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the three parties to establish the programme was signed yesterday on the sidelines of a Doha ceremony to officially name MSC Cruises’ first LNG-propelled cruise ship, MSC World Europa, which is designed to set a new standard for sustainability in the cruise industry.
During the ceremony, the MSC Foundation of MSC Group announced its intention to collaborate with Qatar Foundation and support the national conservation and restoration programme with grant funding.
The multi-year programme aims to work on the synergistic power of three ecosystems – mangrove forests, seagrass, and coral.
It will seek to conserve, restore, and nurture Qatar’s mangrove forests, which support marine biodiversity and fisheries, provide protection against coastal erosion, open up opportunities for ecotourism and support development through a building-with-nature approach.
Vice-Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, said, “I am happy to announce the national programme for coastal conservation and restoration that will join the efforts of Qatar University, Qatar Foundation’s Earthna Centre, and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. This will be supported by the cooperation between Qatar Foundation and the MSC Foundation.
“Mangrove forests, seagrasses, and coral reefs respond to active stewardship. With this programme, we hope to identify, implement, and scale approaches for the conservation and restoration of our coastal environment and ecosystem so that we may ensure an immensely valuable element of our country’s environment and character is restored for the current and future generations.”
Minister of Environment and Climate Change H E Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed bin Ali Al Thani, said, “This national programme to conserve and restore Qatar’s coastal ecosystems is important in maintaining ecological balance and rehabilitating sensitive ecological ecosystems that have been threatened by human and industrial activities.
“The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is keen to benefit from nature-friendly solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change and to adapt to it. I am glad to announce that this new step will aim to work with Qatar Foundation’s Earthna Centre and Qatar University to achieve the Ministry’s goals in relation to planting more mangrove trees and committing to the conservation of mangrove forests, which will enhance our ecosystems and conserve biodiversity.”
President of Qatar University Dr. Hassan Al Derham said, “Qatar University has a long history in the field of marine environment and conservation, and is keen to strengthen its local partnerships with various parties with similar concerns and commitments in this area.”
Pierfrancesco Vago, Chair of the MSC Foundation Executive Committee and Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, said, “This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to caring for our Blue Planet. Bringing specialists to work in a synergistic power of three ecosystems together, taking a holistic approach to conserving and restoring mangroves, seagrass, and coral reefs, combines all three interconnected systems to support marine biodiversity.”
