QU conference highlights efforts in achieving sustainable development

The fourth Sustainable Development Conference entitled ‘Science for Sustainable Development 2019 Conference (SSD2019): Towards Integrated and Sustainable Resource Management’ kicked off yesterday. It is organised by the Qatar University (QU) represented by the Center for Sustainable Development at the College of Arts and Sciences with the participation of researchers and experts from a number of universities and centres concerned inside and outside the country.The two-day conference aims to shed light on efforts to achieve a comprehensive vision of sustainable development based on Qatar National Vision 2030. It reviews scientific developments in this field and innovative ways to address challenges in food and water security, waste management and renewable energy applications along linking them to global perspectives and the possible implementation in the State of Qatar, taking into account social and economic aspects.Addressing the opening of the conference, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr Ibrahim al-Kaabi said that this conference embodies the vision of Qatar University in promoting a culture of scientific research as an effective tool to address challenges, interconnects researchers and students with their counterparts inside and outside the country by introducing them to new research trends to achieve sustainable development.Al-Kaabi pointed out that the conference sheds light on the efforts exerted locally and internationally towards achieving a comprehensive vision for sustainable development based on Qatar’s national vision and the global goals of sustainable development 2030. He added that sustainability is one of the priorities in the new strategy of Qatar University for the period 2018-2022 which sets clear pathways for excellence in education, scientific research, institutional development and community participation.Al-Kaabi pointed out that Doha has become an important forum for conferences that seek to promote development at the international level, which reflects its interest in development issues in the world. At the same time, he stressed Qatar’s leadership in the field of development and achieving important economic achievements despite regional and international challenges.For his part, Director of the Center for Sustainable Development Dr Hareb al-Jabri pointed out that sustainable development one of the main pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030, focusing on aspects of finding a balance between preserving the environment, managing natural resources, and economic and social developments.He also noted that food security, water conservation, renewable energy and waste management are the key factors that need to be addressed for integrated and sustainable resource management, emphasising that the integration of all the above-mentioned sectors can only be achieved through the adoption of a multi-stakeholder policy, awareness-raising and effective and reliable communication and coordination between all relevant actors. (QNA)