Director of the Green Development and Environmental Sustainability Department at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs Sheikh Dr. Saud bin Khalifa Al-Thani regarded International Youth Day as a global celebration of the vitality and creativity of young people. He emphasized its role in highlighting their capabilities to lead change and transform societies. In the context of environmental sustainability, he urged everyone to recognize that the pursuit of sustainable development is closely tied to the aspirations of the youth.
Sheikh Dr. Saud bin Khalifa Al-Thani underscored that Qatar's journey towards sustainable development is commendable due to its ambitious initiatives and progressive, advanced thinking strategies. He affirmed that Qatar's National Vision 2030 serves as a guiding light, charting a path towards a diverse, knowledge-based economy and ensuring a high quality of life for current and future generations. He said that young leaders play a pivotal role in achieving this vision.
He regarded environmental sustainability as a fundamental pillar of Qatar's development journey, noting that the challenges posed by climate change, environmental pollution, and resource depletion are not abstract concepts but real threats witnessed daily through severe droughts, sudden floods, and annual forest fires. He encouraged the youth to take the initiative in shaping a sustainable trajectory forward.
He highlighted that this year's International Youth Day coincides with the United Nations' convening of the Ecosystem Restoration Summit. This alignment emphasizes that choices made today will reverberate across generations. He considered environmental sustainability an opportunity for innovation and finding ingenious solutions to complex issues, fostering collaboration across disciplines.
He called upon the young minds in Qatar to seize opportunities and embrace sustainability principles in their educational, professional, and civic choices. He urged them to work towards enhancing an environment conducive to innovation, as every action, no matter how small, contributes to achieving the overarching goal of environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
The event included a panel discussion involving a group of specialized researchers and individuals interested in various domains of development, sustainability, environment, climate change, energy, and green skills.
The United Nations celebrates International Youth Day, which was conceptualized and launched approximately 23 years ago. Its purpose is to remind the world of the youth's role and the responsibilities that nations have towards them, recognizing them as the pillars of nations and the foundation of their cultural and social endeavors, particularly due to their sensitivity in the current phase they are living through.
Source: Qatar News Agency