MECC Holds Workshop to Develop National Adaptation Plan

Doha: In collaboration with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) office in Qatar, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) hosted a workshop to envision and plan the development of Qatar's National Adaptation Plan (NAP). The workshop brought together over 150 participants from various sectors in the country, including the public and private sectors, academia, and civil society, to shape and guide the process of developing NAP. Qatar faces pressing challenges stemming from climate change, including water scarcity and extreme heat, which pose significant threats to key sectors such as agriculture, livestock, and biodiversity. To address these gaps, NAP will integrate medium- and long-term climate adaptation strategies into Qatar's national development plans, aiming to support the country's transition to a greener and more sustainable economy. In his speech at the workshop, Assistant Undersecretary for Climate Change Affairs Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Sada emphasized that "despite ongoing adapta tion efforts, there is an urgent need for swift action to enhance resilience and reduce vulnerability to these climate risks, particularly in key sectors such as water management, infrastructure, coastal areas, healthcare, biodiversity, and food security." Moreover, Al Sada highlighted MECC's efforts in developing NAP for Qatar and hoped that the workshop would achieve its goals and provide an opportunity to exchange expertise and best practices. In turn, Acting Head of the GGGI office in Qatar Chiden Balmes noted that GGGI is a partner in developing NAP together with MECC. He added, "This will be a groundbreaking policy the first of its kind in Qatar that will outline the medium- and long-term adaptation priorities to address the negative impacts of climate change, transforming these threats into opportunities for further sustainable growth and prosperity." Balmes pointed out that the workshop presented key findings from previous climate vulnerability assessments and provided participants with a clear under standing of how to contribute additional information regarding adaptation activities. He said that interactive visualization exercises and detailed explanations of the NAP process, helped participants understand their roles in shaping Qatar's adaptation priorities and sharing essential data to inform the plan's development. Regarding the National Adaptation Planning and Action Project, it is part of a collaborative program between MECC and GGGI focused on climate action and green growth. This project addresses plans and strategies to protect Qatar from the impacts of climate change. By focusing on the most climate-vulnerable sectors, the project aims to contribute to protecting the country's economy, its population, and coastal areas. The development of NAP will help identify and address Qatar's medium- and long-term adaptation priorities as part of the broader national development strategies and the transition to a green and sustainable economy. Source: Qatar News Agency