Oman Climate Week showcases youth initiatives for environment protection
Muscat: An exhibition, held on the sidelines of Oman Climate Week, is showcasing the latest innovations and technologies in the field of climate change and environment conservation. The event is taking place at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.
As part of its commitment to enhance regional efforts to address climate change and achieve sustainable development, a Qatar Foundation-affiliated centre named 'Earthna' presents its vision and prominent research findings on environmental and sustainability issues.
Qatar Foundation and the Environment Authority seek to consolidate strategic partnerships and exchange expertise with the aim of developing policies and programmes that contribute to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) at the regional level, notably in the fields of environment conservation.
Mohammed Alaa El-Din Mohammed, Sustainable Development Principal Expert at Earthna centre, said, 'Participating in Oman Climate Week provides an important step towards enhancing joint GCC cooperation in addressing climate change. This initiative reflects the growing interest in sustainable solutions and underlines the importance of enhancing regional action and cooperation among leading GCC institutions to achieve a tangible and sustainable impact.'
He explained that Earthna centre enlightens participants in the activities of Oman Climate Week about the White Papers Initiative 2024, which was launched and prepared in accordance with the outcomes of Qatar National Dialogue on Climate Change 2024.
The annual event, he explained, was organised by Earthna centre in cooperation with partners with the aim of addressing the challenges of climate change and promoting sustainable development through rapprochement among government officials, leaders from the industrial sector, environmental experts and representatives of civil society.
He added that the White Papers initiative includes recommendations and policies aimed at boosting efforts towards the realisation of a low-carbon economy in Qatar and the GCC region.
Mohammed Alaa El-Din Mohammed pointed out that Oman Climate Week constitutes a vital platform for presenting these papers to decision-makers and experts and providing new opportunities for dialogue and cooperation on how to implement these recommendations.
He stated that the missions, programmes and initiatives of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development evolve around education, research, innovation and community development and that such efforts are integrated to develop communities in Qatar and the world.
The exhibition, held on the sidelines of Oman Climate Week, featured youth initiatives in the field of the environment conservation, including one themed 'Our Footprint is Different'—a non-profit youth project that deals with ways of achieving environmental sustainability and spreading environmental awareness in society.
The initiative seeks to bring about positive and sustainable change through a range of pioneering environmental programmes and activities with the aim of promoting ecotourism, bringing about a sustainable culture and enabling individuals to actively participate in protecting the environment. It also seeks to implement activities and programmes that provide innovative solutions aimed at improving the local environment, including programmes titled 'Let's Plant', 'Sustainability Ambassadors', 'Women Environmental Leaders', 'Green School', 'Green View' and 'Capture Nature'.
The Climate Ambassadors Initiative, which specializes in issues of climate change and sustainability, focuses on raising environmental awareness and building capacities among individuals and communities across the Sultanate of Oman. The initiative seeks to enhance deep understanding of climate change, biodiversity and natural resources management, in addition to encouraging the endorsement of sustainable practices that contribute to diminishing impacts on the environment.
The Environment Conservation Initiative specialises in the areas of environment, education, awareness and the media. The programme provides knowledge through podcasts to raise public awareness and encourage positive behaviour towards the environment. Its key programmes include dialogues, audio programmes using podcast technology and digital knowledge content. Oman Water Society reviews environmental challenges (in the contest of change to the climate, water and air) and it considers ways to produce sustainable crops using green energy.
Eng. Zahir bin Sulaiman Al Salmani, Chairman of the Oman Water Society, explained that the Society specializes in water issues in the Sultanate of Oman, researching water issues and finding appropriate solutions for related challenges. He pointed out that Oman Water Society aims to encourage research, studies, training programmes and capacity development, in addition to efforts to enhance cooperation among institutions, establishments and individuals.
Madad Development Foundation, an establishment specialised in empowering youth that is taking part in Oman Climate Week, focuses on issues of climate change, environment conservation and sustainability.
Alia Bilarab Al Batashi, a representative of Madad Development Foundation, said that the exhibition provides an opportunity to build partnerships with government and private establishments, investors and those interested in environment conservation.
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