Qatar Marks World Ozone Day, Honours Young Environmental Champions

Doha, Qatar: Qatar marked World Ozone Day 2026 yesterday with a focus on youth engagement, sustainable cooling and collective action to protect the ozone layer, as the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change honoured students who showcased their creativity and research on key environmental issues.

Held under the patronage and in the presence of Minister of Environment and Climate Change H E Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, the event was organised by the ministry's Department of Chemicals and Hazardous Waste Management.

World Ozone Day is observed annually on September 16 and this year's theme,“Global Action for a Cooler Planet,” highlights the importance of international cooperation in protecting the ozone layer while addressing the environmental and climate impacts associated with cooling technologies.

A key highlight of the event was the recognition of winners of the“Best Illustrated Short Story on Ozone Layer Protection” competition, organised by the ministry in cooperation with the Qatar Reads initiative of Qatar National Library.

Faisal Mesfer Al Meseifri won first place, while Al Maha Hisham Kazem secured second place and Ali Mohammed Al Marri took third place.

The participating stories explored the importance of the ozone layer in protecting life on Earth, the role of the Montreal Protocol in its protection, and the responsibility of individuals and communities in safeguarding the environment. Students also presented practical solutions and positive behaviours that can contribute to sustainability. A specialised judging panel evaluated the entries based on innovation, creativity, relevance to ozone-layer protection, clarity and educational impact of the message.

The first-place winner received a cash prize of QR4,000, in addition to having the winning story printed and officially published. The second- and third-place winners received QR3,000 and QR2,000, respectively. Certificates of appreciation and participation were also presented.

The ministry also honoured winning schools in a scientific research competition on the Minamata Convention on Mercury, organised in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and High Education.

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