(MENAFN- The Peninsula) deepak john |
The Peninsula
Qatar has placed the climate change and food security at the forefront of its priorities and incorporated such requirements in its national development strategies said an official on the second day of International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ), yesterday.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change participated in the exhibition organised by the Ministry of Municipality and presented two research papers on climate change and its effects on sustainable food security in the presence of a number of international researchers and those interested in environmental affairs.
Addressing the audience on the sidelines of the exhibition, Dr. Mohammad Saif Al Kuwari, Environmental Expert and Engineering Consultant, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change shed light on climate change and its impacts on sustainable food security. He noted that according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), countries need to adopt modern techniques in their agricultural system and move to latest technology to improve water management.
“We need to be aware of the extreme weather conditions, food security and need to adapt modern agricultural systems. Are you ready to take action and combat climate change and assume responsibility in dealing with climate change,” Al Kuwari said.
Dr. Mohammad F Albeldawi, Environmental Expert and Engineering Consultant at Ministry of Environment and Climate Change discussed the topic 'Climate Change and Sustainable Food Security Challenges: Impact and Mitigations'.
He said,“Food security is a national security priority and is considered sensitive topic worldwide. Qatar has placed the climate change and food security at the forefront of its priorities and incorporated such requirements in climate change and national development strategies among others.” Food security is a pressing global concern that countries need to address. Qatar ranked first in Arab world and 24th globally in Global Food Security Index (GFSI), 2021, he added.
Speaking about the Paris agreement and COP 26 outcome and the emissions reduction potential for 2030 he said, in order to help close the emissions gap and adaptation gap, a transformational decade of climate action is needed from all countries along with emissions reduction from all sectors.“Qatar endorsed the significant State environment and climate change strategy, the national Climate Change action plan and food security strategy among others with the plan to achieve overall 25 percent reduction in Greenhouse gases (GHG's) emissions,” the official said.
Dr. Abdulkarem Amhamed, CO2 Cluster Director, Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute highlighted evaluating Qatar food profile through the energy - food water nexus approach; Dr. Al Mughira Fadlallah, Survey Expert, Qatar University; Dr. Muhammad Al-Sir Ahmed, Agricultural Affairs Expert, Ministry of Municipality; Rehab Sedky, Expert, Ministry of Municipality also participated in the session.
The second session on the sidelines of the AgriteQ also witnessed a host of discussions about the food security crises around the world, ways to confront climate change, and preserve the environment and strategies to develop economic growth.
AgriteQ was launched to act as an accelerator to achieving the goals of Qatar National Food Security Strategy. Since its inception 10 years ago, it has been at the forefront of providing a full-fledged platform for local and international agriculture stakeholders to exchange expertise, discover trends and developments and seize business opportunities in this vital sector.