Qatar Chairs 26th Meetings of GCC Ministers of Environment

The State of Qatar chaired the 26th Meeting of Their Excellencies GCC Ministers of Environment Affairs, held in Doha on Tuesday. At the outset of the meeting, Their Excellencies the Ministers thanked Their Majesties and Highnesses, leaders of the GCC countries for their directions and keenness to promote the joint Gulf action in the environmental field, achieving the noble goals aimed at deepening the cohesion and integration between the GCC countries. Their Excellencies welcomed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's hosting of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), scheduled to be held from Dec. 2-13, and congratulated the United Arab Emirates on its successful hosting of the Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28) and achieving its desired goals. During his opening remarks, HE Minister of Environment and Climate Change Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, chair of the meeting , praised the dedicated efforts of the Sultanate of Oman during the previous session, and its unlimited keenness to achieve the desired visions of the GCC council in the environmental and climate framework. He stressed that the changes witnessed by the world today, with their environmental and climate impacts, have become an ongoing threat that requires, more than ever, intensified efforts and continuous coordination, as well as anticipating the future to avoid its consequences and preserve the gains of the GCC council in coordinating its desired vision and ensuring sustainable development for current and future generations. His Excellency indicated that this meeting is being held in light of rapid and unprecedented developments in regional and international environmental agendas, especially in light of the increasing natural disasters and negative effects of climate change. He emphasized that the opportunity is available through this meeting for further exchange of ideas and unification of opinions and posi tions in preparation for upcoming meetings and their negotiating paths, similar to other conferences, including the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, which will be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the 25th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, and the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). ( Source: Qatar News Agency