Latest news with #SamiDimassi
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar a regional model for balancing development and environmental protection: UNEP regional director
DOHA: Director and Regional Representative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for West Asia Sami Dimassi has emphasized that the State of Qatar represents a model to be emulated regionally and globally in achieving a balance between sustainable development and environmental conservation. In a speech delivered at the launch ceremony of the Qatar Biodiversity Database on Tuesday, Dimassi commended the progress made by Qatar in the areas of sustainable development, particularly in the area of biodiversity protection, stressing the need to preserve the country's natural wealth from deterioration and growing challenges. He noted that the State of Qatar enjoys a unique environmental diversity that includes terrestrial, marine, coastal, and desert systems, making it an environment rich in living organisms that form part of its natural heritage. Dimassi added that the launch of the Qatar Biodiversity Database is the fruit of a strategic partnership between the UNEP and Qatar, resulting in the development of technical mechanisms that enhance biodiversity governance, scientific monitoring and documentation systems, and the provision of accurate data that supports decision-makers and national environmental policies. He also revealed that 2,566 living species have been documented in the database to date as a first phase, with the potential for continued expansion and updates. He called on government and research institutions in the country to continue providing the platform with data, making it a key information hub that contributes to fulfilling Qatar's commitments under international environmental agreements and achieving sustainable development goals. Dimassi concluded his remarks by expressing the UNEP's pride in its partnership with the State of Qatar, emphasizing the program's aspiration to expand future cooperation and enhance national capacities for informed environmental decision-making based on science and knowledge.
Kuwait Times
08-05-2025
- General
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait Dive Team's achievements celebrated by UN
BEIRUT: The Kuwait Dive Team carried out 130 environmental missions during 2024–2025, focusing on coral reef protection, the removal of waste and sunken ships, and the securing of marine navigation, according to their newly released annual report. The announcement was made during a meeting between the team and the United Nations Environment Program's (UNEP) West Asia Office in Beirut, where UNEP officials praised Kuwait's leadership in marine environmental protection. Sami Dimassi, Director of UNEP's West Asia Office, commended the Kuwait Dive Team's efforts, describing them as a reflection of Kuwait's strong commitment to international environmental agreements and sustainable development. Dimassi noted the team's contributions to the global 'Clean Seas' campaign, highlighting their hands-on role in combating marine plastic pollution—a major global ecological challenge. He emphasized that the Dive Team's work showcases Kuwait's proactive approach to safeguarding marine ecosystems for future generations. The team's annual report detailed significant accomplishments, including the removal of 12 sunken vessels and boats, weighing a total of 60 tons, and the collection of 120 tons of abandoned fishing nets and other harmful debris from Kuwait's coastal waters. KUWAIT: The Kuwait Dive Team removes a 200-kilogram fishing net from coral reefs north of Qaruh Island in this file photo. In addition, the team successfully maintained and repaired 107 marine moorings to protect coral reefs and ensure safe anchoring for boats and yachts. Beyond direct environmental action, the Dive Team also maintains regular monitoring of Kuwait's southern islands, coasts, and marine reserves, providing environmental reports to government agencies, international organizations, and research institutions such as Australia's CoralWatch program. In a statement, Kuwait Dive Team leader Waleed Al-Fadhel reaffirmed the team's long-standing commitment to marine conservation. He recalled the 2018 Memorandum of Understanding signed with UNEP to support the 'Clean Seas' initiative and described the team's work as a 'translation of Kuwait's environmental pledges into practical action.' Al-Fadhel highlighted the team's ongoing awareness campaigns, including the Mobile Beach Cleanup Campaign, which has been organized weekly for ten consecutive years. These campaigns include coastal cleanups, environmental workshops, educational talks, and activities aimed at increasing public awareness of marine protection issues. The Kuwaiti Dive Team's achievements were recently recognized with the Energy Globe Foundation Award, an international acknowledgment of their leadership in environmental work. Dimassi concluded by expressing appreciation for the team's contributions, noting that their work strengthens regional and global efforts to preserve healthy marine environments and aligns with global sustainability goals. — KUNA
Arab News
30-03-2025
- Business
- Arab News
International Day of Zero Waste: turning waste into opportunities
For the third consecutive year, the world is observing International Day of Zero Waste, marked annually on March 30. This year's day, themed 'Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles,' emphasizes the importance of reducing the impact of the clothing sector's waste, and promotes sustainability and circularity. Textile waste: a growing crisis The textile industry is taking a heavy toll on the planet. It is responsible for 2 to 8 percent of global planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions and 9 percent of annual microplastic pollution ending up in oceans. The industry also consumes 215 trillion liters of water per year and uses about 3,500 chemicals in production, many of which are toxic for both humans and the environment, including soil, water, animal health, and plant life. The linear business model of fashion and textile sector is fueling overproduction and overconsumption. Driven by an effective marketing machine that is being replicated by other sectors, coupled with lower prices, and the efficiency of online shopping, this trend is contributing to the global waste and pollution crises. Each year, 92 million tons of textile waste are generated worldwide with an estimate that every second, the equivalent of a garbage truck full of clothing is disposed of around the world. Only 8 percent of textiles fibers in 2023 were made from recycled sources, with less than 1 percent of the total fiber market coming from textile-to-textile recycling and around 13 percent of clothing being recycled to mostly lower-value uses such as insulation and cleaning cloths. This lack of fiber recycling practices is estimated to equate to an annual material value loss of more than $100 billion. Circularity is key Through its Textile Initiative, the UN Environment Programme is focused on accelerating the transition toward a sustainable and circular textile value chain. The program has set out a roadmap for stakeholders to transform the sector using the life cycle approach, with the aim to generate business revenue from circular business models such as reuse, repair, and circular products, instead of selling products produced from virgin fibers. UN Environment Programme looks to reduce impact of textile waste, and promote sustainability. Sami Dimassi Moreover, consumer awareness and behavioral change is essential to turn the tide on overconsumption and overproduction, along with transparency in information sharing as to what goes into each product, covering both environmental and social issues. To that end, UNEP has also developed a Sustainable Fashion Communication Playbook whereby it calls for a commitment to all communication to be evidence-based and data-driven. In West Asia, UNEP established the West Asia Sustainable Fashion Academy in 2021, as an influential regional platform within the fashion industry to drive sustainability and circularity across the textile value chain in the region. WASFA has engaged with different stakeholders through capacity-building initiatives, behavioral change campaigns, as well as research. Composting: a sustainable solution for organic waste Zero waste is not limited to textile waste. In West Asia, over 50 percent of the municipal solid waste destined for land disposal is made of organic waste, 85 percent of which is food waste. Uncontrolled decomposition emits methane, a greenhouse gas, and waste is estimated to account for 20 percent of global methane emissions. This is where composting offers a solution. It consists of transitioning organic waste away from landfill disposal, and turning it into economic opportunities, transforming it through a natural recycling process into organic fertilizers improving soil quality and returning nutrients back to the soil. Guide on composting promotes recycling of organic waste through locally tailored techniques. Sami Dimassi The UNEP Regional Office for West Asia has developed a guide on 'Composting Solid Organic Waste from Municipal Sources in West Asia' to promote the recycling of organic waste through locally tailored composting techniques, from planning, design, and operation of composting facilities. Way forward Managing waste requires a multi-stakeholder approach. Governments have a duty to enact stricter regulations to prevent waste generation and limit its production, while investing in sustainable infrastructure. Businesses must adopt circular economy principles, reducing waste through recycling and repurposing. Individuals must shift their mindset and embrace zero-waste by taking conscious and sustainable choices in their daily lives. Our aim for the future is not to commemorate the International Day for Zero Waste by covering problems, but we hope to highlight achievements that will 'build a fairer, and more sustainable planet.'
