Qatar ‘committed to water goals’

New York:  Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi reiterated the State of Qatar’s commitment as a partner in supporting efforts to achieve the goals and objectives of water-related sustainable development. The Minister stressed that the State of Qatar will spare no effort to contribute to the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028.”
In a speech delivered at a working breakfast on “Sustainable Development and Water”, which was co-organized by the State of Qatar on the sidelines of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Minister noted the objectives of the International Decade, emphasising the need for enhancing cooperation and partnership at all levels to achieve water-related goals and targets.
H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi also stressed on the importance of water in preserving life on earth and expressed his belief on the crucial role played by the Group of Friends of Water in which the State of Qatar has joined to meet its objectives.
In this context, HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs underlined the Global Dryland Alliance’s initiative to establish an international organization that would complete the work of other organizations to focus on combating desertification and drought as well as the preservation of the environment.
He also referred to the 18th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change hosted by the State of Qatar in 2012. He added that Qatar has taken measures to manage water as an important resource in an effective and sustainable manner.
As an example of these measures, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi said that Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) has launched a National Programme for Conservation and Energy Efficiency to promote the sustainable use of water and energy in the country. The programme has made huge strides in creating awareness.
The Minister stressed on the importance of the sustainable water management and the achievement of universal and equitable access to safe drinking water as well as the use of innovative solutions and sustainable technologies for the successful implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan.