HE the Minister of Municipality Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie has said that Qatar National Day is an opportunity for everyone to be inspired by – learning lessons, strength and determination, to follow the path of Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed bin Thani, who established the State of Qatar.
This occasion shows that our unity really is the source of our strength, as well as the secret of our solidarity and cohesion to move forward in the march of renaissance and progress for this homeland, and achieve the hopes and spirations of its people, under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the minister added.
In a statement to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE the Minister of Municipality said that the slogan of Qatar's 2022 National Day *Our Unity Source of Our Strength embodies the values of loyalty, solidarity and cohesion among the segments of society.
On this dear occasion, the minister extended his warmest congratulations to His Highness the Amir, the government, and the people of Qatar.
HE Dr al-Subaie highlighted the importance of this year's National Day, as it coincides with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
He commended everyone's contribution – individuals and institutions, in presenting a positive image to visitors to Qatar during the World Cup, and highlighting the aspects that reflect Qatari heritage, the country's national values, and Arab and Islamic civilization.
The minister underlined the importance of the World Cup in helping to remove barriers between cultures and uniting the peoples of the world under one banner – football.
With regard to the Ministry of Municipality's accomplishments and plans, the minister said that the ministry has made many achievements.
In the field of food security, the percentage of self-sufficiency in local vegetables increased from about 20% in 2017 to about 46% in 2022, an increase of about 130%.
The percentage of self-sufficiency in dairy products increased from about 28% in 2017 to 100% in 2022, which means that the rate has quadrupled during the last five years, HE Dr al-Subaie pointed out, adding that 100% of fresh broiler chicken has been achieved, compared to 50% in 2017.
For the fresh red meat, the self-sufficiency rate increased from 13% in 2017 to about 18% in 2022, an increase of about 38%, while the self-sufficiency rate of fresh fish is about 77%, he added.
There has been a huge rise in the number of public parks in the recent years, the minister noted, adding that their number increased to 148 parks in 2022, from only 56 parks in 2010, with an increase of 164%.
HE Dr al-Subaie indicated that green spaces in the country have also increased to more than 43mn sq m in 2022, from about 2.5mn sq m in 2010.
The green area's per capita share therefore rose to 16sq m, after it was less than 1sq m in 2010, an increase of 16 times.
During the past period, more than 1mn trees were planted, as part of an initiative launched in 2019, HE Dr al-Subaie said, adding that the ministry recently rehabilitated and developed eight beaches.
HE the Minister of Municipality highlighted that all cities have been awarded for their efforts as “Healthy Cities”, making Qatar the first country in the Eastern Mediterranean region to have all its cities obtain the title.
In the field of developing electronic services and enhancing the protection of information security, the ministry recently launched a digital project – transforming its services into smart and proactive, which will be implemented in the co-operation with Oracle.