Oman and Qatar sign environmental cooperation agreement

MUSCAT : The agreement was signed by His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Ali Al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority of Oman, and His Excellency Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Mahmoud, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in Qatar.

The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the ongoing Oman Climate Week at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, reflecting the commitment of both nations to strengthen their collaborative efforts in the field of environmental preservation and sustainability.

The memorandum stipulates a range of cooperative initiatives, including joint projects, financing opportunities, and research collaboration in various areas of environmental conservation. Notably, it focuses on protecting endangered species, combating invasive species, and tackling land degradation. The agreement also addresses issues related to coastal protection, marine pollutants, and preserving biodiversity through coordinated efforts in wildlife reserves and breeding centres.

The MoU emphasises the importance of working together on the protection of marine life, including the conservation of sea turtles and whale sharks, as well as the restoration of mangrove forests. Both countries will also exchange expertise on managing natural plant gardens, conducting environmental surveys, and enhancing the protection of coral reefs.

The MoU also includes provisions for sharing knowledge on air quality management, climate change adaptation, and the safe management of chemicals and hazardous waste. Both nations will collaborate on the development of a unified environmental performance index and the improvement of environmental monitoring techniques.

H.E. Dr. Al Amri highlighted that the executive program embedded in the MoU would facilitate the exchange of expertise in various critical areas, such as biodiversity, pollution control, and climate change mitigation. He also underscored that the Sultanate of Oman has implemented a number of policies and initiatives that will contribute to the success of this collaboration.