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The Investment and Trade Court has signed a cooperation agreement with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), aimed at strengthening partnership and exchanging expertise in the field of intellectual property rights protection.The agreement was signed by President of the Investment and Trade Court Judge Khalid bin Ali al-Obaidli and Director of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center Ignacio De Castro Llamas, in the presence of Director of the Intellectual Property Rights Protection Department at Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) Abdulbasit al-Ajji, along with a number of judges and court officials.The agreement focuses on supporting the development of an advanced judicial environment capable of keeping pace with best international practices, thereby enhancing the court’s role in protecting intellectual property rights and improving the investment climate in the State of Qatar.Al-Obaidli stated that the agreement reflects the Investment and Trade Court’s commitment to engaging with leading international institutions and benefiting from their expertise, which strengthens Qatar’s position as a developed centre for intellectual property protection and the resolution of commercial and investment disputes.Following the signing, the WIPO delegation toured the court’s facilities, where they were briefed on its various departments and the mechanisms it employs to adjudicate commercial and investment cases.They praised the advanced capabilities and infrastructure they observed, which reflect the court’s status as a pioneering judicial institution both locally and internationally.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change's Environmental Monitoring and Inspection Department, in cooperation with the Marine Protection Department, have carried out 56 field visits since the beginning of this year, as part of the monthly marine environment monitoring programme.During this period, 2,240 variables were documented. The programme covers seven marine sites to monitor physical, chemical, and biological variables, which are regularly observed throughout the year. The aim is to track environmental changes in marine waters and provide accurate and periodic scientific data that help assess the status, in addition to monitoring biological indicators that reflect the health and sustainability of marine ecosystems.The ministry affirmed that the programme serves as a fundamental tool to support the country’s efforts in protecting marine resources and preserving biodiversity, in addition to enhancing research studies that assist in developing policies and strategic plans to address environmental challenges.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change's Department of Wildlife Protection has carried out a comprehensive cleanup campaign in the central region, covering Rawdat Muaither Al-Darb, Al-Riffa, and north of the Abu Nakhla complex, as part of its ongoing project covering meadows and wild areas across the country. The campaign aims to preserve the natural environment and protect the green cover, contributing to the promotion of environmental sustainability and allowing visitors to enjoy nature in clean and safe surroundings. The ministry stressed that these initiatives are part of its continuous efforts to protect the environment and to reduce harmful practices that negatively impact the ecosystem in these places. It pointed out that its field teams regularly monitor and implement awareness and cleaning programmes. The ministry called on all visitors to wild areas and Rawdats to maintain cleanliness by refraining from leaving waste behind, and to dispose of their waste in the designated containers to help preserve the beauty of nature and protect wildlife.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change's Marine Protection Department has carried out a field operation to remove abandoned fishing gear from a coral reef fishing ground in the country’s eastern local waters, as part of the efforts to protect the marine environment and preserve biodiversity. The operation resulted in the retrieval of fishing nets and traps from a depth of 14m. They posed a danger to marine life and threatened the ecological balance of the surrounding marine environment, a statement added.

The marine Protection Department at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has been making several achievements to maintain the well-being of the local marine environment and ecosystems and protect the biodiversity in the country.During the second quarter of this year, the department spent 20 hours in tours in deep sea diving across various key locations in the local waters. It also spent 68 hours in various surprise inspection tours within the sea, besides 3,361 hours spent on daily field inspection tours.The department spent a total of 3,404 hours during the second quarter of the year carrying out various intensive and regular inspection and monitoring tours across various sites in the local waters.The department spotted 148 different violations during the same period, in addition to 25 violations regarding fishing cages, 11 violations for using long fishing lines, two regarding fishing tools, 86 fishing nets, and six violations for using non-standard spotlights and illegal lights. There were a total of 278 related violations spotted during the period.Further, the department conducted five study surveys on related issues, issued 829 reports through the various marine units it has, with a total of 834 reports made during the period.The department received 36 calls and requests that included 17 regarding encroachments and violations, 11 reports, five applications for services, and three inquiries.The department also took part at 14 different public workshops and campaigns to raise public awareness in different related topics. These included three training workshops, four cleaning campaigns, three inspection campaigns and four work meetings.