Hundreds of volunteers, who helped at the recently concluded United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP18/CMP8) in Doha, were thanked at a special ceremony at the Qatar National Convention Centre yesterday.
More than 1,300 people from 53 nationalities dedicated many hours of their time, to ensure that the largest conference ever hosted in Qatar ran smoothly.
They worked across all departments, including transport, protocol, IT, media and catering.
HE Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, the president of COP18/CMP8 Doha, lauded their efforts and dedication, which helped to ensure that the massive conference, which attracted 16,000 participants, ran smoothly.
HE al-Attiyah said the conference had attracted people from all corners of the world, from the Amazon to Australia, most of whom had never visited Qatar before.
“When we finished the conference many of them told me they would miss Doha and they would miss you,” he added.
Alanoud al-Meghaisib, the head of accommodation, transportation and volunteers at COP18/CMP8 Doha, said  the volunteers had worked a total of 9,050 shifts, the equivalent of 72,000 hours. Dana bint Rashid al-Thani, the Workforce Operations co-ordinator at the event, said: “Your volunteering spirit has made COP18/CMP8 a great success to the world and also to our country, Qatar.”
A short video produced by the Doha Film Institute, showing the volunteers at work during the two-week conference, received rapturous cheering and applause at the appreciation ceremony,
Eleven individuals were recognised as ‘outstanding volunteers’ for going beyond the call of duty during the conference.
They were called on stage and received a special certificate and gift from HE al-Attiyah and Abdulaziz bin Ahmed al-Malki, the general co-ordinator for COP18/CMP8 Doha. HE Fahad bin Mohamed al-Attiya, chairman of the Organising Sub-Committee of COP18/CMP8 Doha, brought the ceremony to a close with a short speech, telling the volunteers that they “deserved all the applause” from the conference delegates and the senior organising team.
All the volunteers then posed for a group photograph before being given individual certificates commending them for their hard work.