Minister of Environment and Climate Change H E Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie being honoured by the UDST President Dr. Salem Al Naemi.
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) is committed to the ‘National Adaptation Plan’, a comprehensive roadmap designed to address climate change challenges.
The plan prioritises strengthening the resilience of key sectors, particularly water and agriculture, through the implementation of effective strategies, said Minister of Environment and Climate Change H E Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie while speaking during the ‘International Conference on Water and Food Security in the Face of Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities for Resilience (WFCC 2025),’ yesterday.
“These include optimising water resource management, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and safeguarding coastal ecosystems,” he added.
Minister of Environment and Climate Change H E Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie delivering remarks at the conference.
H E Al Subaie said the ministry’s participation in the conference as a strategic partner underscores Qatar’s commitment to achieving sustainable development and enhancing its response to climate change, in line with Qatar’s vision of environmental protection and sustainability.
The four-day conference is organised by the Centre of Excellence for Food Security and Sustainability at University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the Ministry of Municipality and a number of local and international partners.
Being held from February 4 till February 7, this global event is attended by high-level delegates, and has brought together researchers and industry leaders to discuss innovative solutions for water and food security challenges posed by climate change in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs), including SDG2, Zero Hunger, SDG6 Clean Water and Sanitation, and SDG 13 Climate Action.
During the conference, the World Food Forum (WFF) Qatar National Youth Chapter was officially established for the first time in the Middle East, marking a significant milestone in youth-led sustainability efforts. Spearheaded by Youth Chair Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, a fourth-year Chemical Engineering student at UDST, this initiative is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Municipality, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), and advisers from the UDST. The WFF Qatar National Youth Chapter is a pioneering platform dedicated to empowering young leaders to champion sustainable agrifood systems.
UDST President Dr. Salem Al Naemi said, “Hosting the conference reflects our dedication to advancing research and innovation that aligns with Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. By bringing together experts, decision-makers, and students from around the world, we confirm Qatar’s position as a global leader in using education and research to address critical water and food security and climate change challenges. This conference also highlights the role of UDST in shaping responsible global citizens.
Al Subaie and UDST President Dr. Salem Al Naemi with two of the winners of Arab Youth Competition.
“As an applied university, we are dedicated to equipping our students with the knowledge and skills to tackle pressing global issues, inspiring them and our faculty to actively contribute to creating innovative solutions that drive sustainable progress for future generations.”
Kazuki Kitaoka, Director, Office of Youth and Women, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) said, “It is excellent to see that conference engages and empowers young leaders by fostering innovation and prioritising science education. I believe that equipping youth with the necessary tools to tackle the pressing challenges of our agrifood systems is truly imperative for building a better food future, ensuring good food for all, for today and tomorrow. The WFF Qatar Chapter will, no doubt, further strengthen this mission, fostering local action and global impact with the brilliant minds of Qatari youth.”
One of the conference’s key highlights was the Arab Youth Competition, which received 106 submissions and showcased youth-led innovation projects tackling food and water security, bringing together passionate young changemakers from Arab countries. The competition brought together participants from Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Oman, Algeria, Lebanon, Qatar, Egypt, and UAE, who presented topics about climate change impacts, food security, and water resource management.
The winners were honoured in Undergraduate and Post-Graduate categories.
