Qatar participated in the 2017 Oceans conference, which was held in Portuguese capital Lisbon on September 7-8. Qatar's delegation was led by HE the Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning Mohammed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi.

The aim of the conference was to shed light on the important role seas and oceans play in the lives of people.
In his speech, the minister said that the Gulf was facing a number of challenges including pollution, increasing salinity among others. He noted that the rate of change of the Gulf's water was twice a year.
The minister added that there is a desperate need for securing the quality and quantity of food from the sea, and preserving the ecological system which would help bring down the level of salinity in the Gulf.
He noted that Qatar treats 100% of its third degree sewage. “Qatar has also adopted 20% of beaches as natural reserves. The environmental law prevents the discharge of treated water into the sea. Instead, it is used to irrigate parks and in industry. The country only allows low-salinity water back into the sea.”
The minister said that Qatar supports the final communique of the conference and stressed on the importance of limiting diseases linked to the marine environment.
He also stressed on the importance of staying alert to new public health threats. His Excellency also stressed that climate change is the biggest challenge of our age.
On the sidelines of the conference, the minister met with Portugal's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development Luis Capoulas Santos.
They discussed bilateral co-operation in the field of agriculture and food security.

Related Story