QNA/Geneva
The State of Qatar is making efforts to combat desertification and drought, as well as to conserve the environment in achieving food security in dryland countries.
Qatar’s Permanent Representative to UN Office at Geneva Faisal bin Abdullah al-Henzab said this is being done to contribute to stability and peace in the world, along with local, regional and international partners, by implementing sustainable solutions to the challenges of agriculture, water and energy in dryland countries. Al-Henzab added that Qatar had launched the global coalition for dryland countries in 2011, within the context of strengthening collective international efforts.
Al-Henzab was speaking on the sidelines of an event organised by Qatar’s permanent delegation entitled, “Desertification and food security: the empowerment of women,” in co-operation with the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, H Oliver and the permanent missions of Belgium and Morocco to the UN Office at Geneva. The event was held on the sidelines of the 28th session of the Human Rights Council being held in Geneva from March 2- 27.
Al-Henzab explained that food is essential for human survival and a crucial element for stability as well as social and economic progress in all countries, adding that in most dryland countries desertification leads to loss of soil fertility, affecting productivity and leading to food
insecurity.
