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| Dr Saif al Hajri and Dr Benno Boer |
The partnership was cemented based on the long-term co-operation, and an exchange of letters between the Unesco Representative in the Arab States of the Gulf & Yemen, Dr. Hamed al-Hammami, Dr Saif al-Hajari, Head of the ecoQ Advisory Committee, and the Ministry of Environment.
Officially supported by the Ministry of Environment, ecoQ is the first annual environmental platform that showcases the latest technologies and products used in environment protection.
EcoQ is also supported by Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the German Delegation for Trade & Commerce (AHK), Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Friends of the Environment Centre, and Qatar and the French National Commission (Unesco), Berlin Government, Oxford Business Group and Qatar University- Environment Research Centre.
“Commenting on the partnership, Unesco’s ecological sciences adviser of the Arab region, Dr Benno B?er said: “Unesco’s support is part of our commitment to addressing science-based environmental issues and is part of Unesco’s contribution to promote ecosystem functioning as a major elelemnt of the human life support system.
“We’ve been actively promoting the United Nations Decade on Education for Sustainable Development and participated in a number of events in the region to address important issues such as biodiversity conservation, climate change, water management, seawater utilisation, resources recycling, and the establishment of eco-schools. Capacity on the event level has been achieved and now we need to focus on good ideas, action, participation, implementation and results. We have to mobilise the Youth. We are happy about the fact that the women in the Gulf actually achieved very good results in terms of participating and driving environmental issues.”
“Unesco warned about 40 years ago about the non-sustainable exploitation of natural resources. We will continue to work with our partners to generate awareness and commitment through science-based action, education and training to address a wide range of challenging concerns. Unesco’s Biosphere Reserves are models for sustainable human living, places for sustainable development and nature conservation, and as such perfect places to implement environmental action. Abu Dhabi (Merawah) and Qatar (Al Reem) have successfully established the first two biosphere reserves in the Arabian Peninsula in 2007. These places will be continuously developed under the leadership of the concerned authorities, and Unesco will encourage and assist them. We count on the interest, commitment and support of the whole community, including the private sector,”added Dr. Benno Boer.
Dr Saif Al-Hajari said: “We are pleased to have the support of a globally respected body as the Unesco. Our partnership will strengthen the message we are trying to send, that is protecting the environment. We have accelerated the pace to ensure that Qatar conserves and protects its precious environmental heritage for future generations. There is no question that it is challenging and we are confident that we will meet every challenge”.
Senior officials, delegations and experts on the environment have already confirmed their attendance and speaking slots at the ecoQ conference. Officials include the Costa Rican Minister of Environment, the special adviser to the cabinet of Japan, the head of the French National Committee – Unesco, Berlin Government officials, and senior officials and representatives of global companies and institutions.
The ecoQ advisory committee board members include honorary chairman Sheikh Hassan bin Mohamed bin Ali al-Thani, CEO of Friends of Environment Centre Dr Saif al-Hajari, Senior adviser in the ministry of environment Dr Nadia Suliman, Director of Qatar University College of Law Forum on Energy and Environmentla Law Rudiger Tscherninge and CEO of ESSB Germany Dr Alawi S Sawbury.
