Assistant Undersecretary for Climate Change Affairs at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC), Eng Ahmed Mohammed Al Sada
Doha, Qatar: Qatar has launched a series of national policies and programmes to combat the impacts of climate change and adapt to its effects, including the National Environment and Climate Change Strategy, the National Climate Change Action Plan 2030, and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), said a top official.
“The country is fully committed to its obligations under the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals, and relevant international agreements,” said Assistant Undersecretary for Climate Change Affairs at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC), Eng Ahmed Mohammed Al Sada.
He noted that these policies contribute effectively to achieving “Qatar National Vision 2030,” which aims to establish a sustainable balance between economic growth, social development, and environmental protection.
Al Sada was speaking at a preparatory workshop titled “Strategic Pathways for COP29,” organised by MECC in collaboration with the Qatar office of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), ahead of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29), which is scheduled to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22, 2024.
Al Sada emphasized that climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world today, pointing out that its negative impacts extend to all aspects of life, including human life and sustainable development pathways.
He said: “These challenges are interconnected across economic, environmental, and social dimensions, requiring comprehensive strategies to address them, along with enhanced international cooperation and joint efforts among countries to find effective and sustainable solutions.” Al Sada expressed his gratitude to GGGI in Qatar and the Mitsubishi Research Institute (MRI) for their outstanding partnership, expressing hope that the discussions and recommendations presented during the workshop will further strengthen Qatar’s national interests in addressing the challenges of climate change.
The workshop was attended by more than 50 participants from various government entities and relevant stakeholders, where they were introduced to the critical issues expected to be the focus of COP29 negotiations. The workshop aimed to enhance their awareness of the key topics that will be discussed during the climate negotiations.
The sessions included an analysis of the outcomes from the recent meetings of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (SB60), where participants were briefed on important topics such as the Mitigation Work Program, Just Transition efforts, and Qatar’s progress in implementing Articles 6.2 and 6.4 of the Paris Agreement, as well as the new collective climate finance goal.
Additionally, the workshop featured discussions on advanced global strategies for climate adaptation and provided practical guidance for negotiators. These sessions included strategies for effective collaboration at COP29, essential negotiation skills, and the preparation of delegates for the operational aspects of the conference, enhancing their ability to navigate complex negotiations.
Acting Head of the GGGI Qatar office, Chiden Balmes, highlighted that Qatar plays a pivotal role in advancing the global climate agenda, given its significant resources and influence. He praised Qatar’s clear impact in combating the negative effects of climate change and its provision of practical and sustainable solutions that contribute to environmental protection and improving the quality of life for current and future generations.
Balmes also pointed out that the preparatory workshop organised by MECC in collaboration with GGGI reflects Qatar’s genuine efforts to confront the environmental challenges imposed by the global climate crisis.
The workshop was conducted by a group of climate experts, including Gebru Jember Endalew, Regional Lead at GGGI; Dr. Amr Osama Abdel-Aziz, CEO of Integral Consult; Kenichiro Yamaguchi, Research Director at Mitsubishi Research Institute (MRI); Dr. Axel Michaelowa, Founding Partner of Perspectives Climate Group; and Kei Sakakibara, Senior Researcher at MRI.
