The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) Tuesday launched the foundational workshop for the State of Qatar’s Minamata Initial Assessment Report regarding Mercury.
The project is an enabling activity for the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury nationally, establish specialized working groups to support the projects development, and promote the exchange of information and experiences among member states.
The initial assessment aims to identify sources of mercury emissions in the country, evaluate and improve the laws regulating it, enhance the capacities of institutions and stakeholders, assess health and environmental impacts, and develop reduction strategies.
In this regard, Assistant Undersecretary for Environmental Affairs at MECC Abdulhadi Nasser Al Marri said that this two-day workshop is part of national efforts to raise awareness about mercury and its effects on health and the environment, aligning with the objectives of the Minamata Convention, which Qatar joined in 20
20.
Al Marri said that this workshop marks the starting point for implementing Minamata Initial Assessment Report, carried out by MECC’s Hazardous Chemicals and Waste Department, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention, and the Global Environment Facility.
The Assistant Undersecretary for Environmental Affairs at MECC noted that the implementation of the Minamata Initial Assessment Report project in Qatar aims to contribute to international efforts to manage mercury effectively and efficiently, align with the safe management of chemicals and hazardous waste, and serve as an enabling activity to fulfill the countrys commitments to the Minamata Convention on mercury.
Al Marri said that the project aims to enhance national capacities needed for the implementation of the convention, assess the institutional and technical needs for its implementation, exchange experiences and best practices, and evaluate the current situation from various
aspects, including relevant legislative and administrative dimensions. He added that the project will also propose standards and specifications in light of the projects results, in line with international trends and Qatars national framework.
The Assistant Undersecretary for Environmental Affairs added that this workshop represents an important opportunity to exchange views and experiences and to gain a deeper understanding of the Initial Minamata Assessment Report project. He added that this effort is guided by the Qatar National Vision 2030, which has set environmental development as one of its four essential pillars, followed by plans and strategies prioritizing the safe management of chemicals.
He expressed his hope that participants would achieve constructive outcomes that help develop a framework program to identify requirements and needs at the national level, highlighting the State of Qatars commitment to supporting international efforts to implement the Minamata Convention on mercury.
For his part
, CEO of the Global Environment Facility Carlos Manuel Rodriguez stated that combating pollution is one of the most significant challenges facing the planet. He praised the State of Qatars substantial efforts to reduce mercury use and its harmful effects, including signing this multilateral international convention and supporting the safe management of mercury and addressing its adverse environmental impacts, which will help improve the environmental situation globally.
Rodriguez stressed GEFs commitment to providing the State of Qatar with full support and assistance throughout the implementation of the project and beyond, offering whatever experience, expertise, activities, programs, and training workshops needed.
In turn, the Representative of the UNEP Regional Office for West Asia said that the Minamata Convention on mercury is the most recent global agreement concerning risk management, adding that it was the result of member states efforts to address naturally occurring mercury, used for centuries in
various applications, particularly in gold mining and thermometers, highlighting its harmful effects and severe impacts on the brain and nervous system.
The Representative of the UNEP Regional Office for West Asia added that mercury is present in nature and cannot be destroyed, eliminated, or disposed of, necessitating careful and prudent handling, pointed out that 38 percent of solid waste is not managed properly, thereby harming the environment, and that mercury is unique as it exists in three forms: liquid, solid, and gas, allowing it to seep into soil, water, and air.
The Representative of the UNEP Regional Office for West Asia said that mercury’s nature necessitates its safe management and handling in accordance with the Minamata Convention, adding that this responsibility does not rest solely with MECC rather necessitating the engagement of all actors, stakeholders; such as ministries, and interested parties from the public and private sectors.
The Representative of the UNEP Regional Office for West
Asia also said that practical policies and regulations must be implemented on the ground, noting that the Initial Assessment project will last for two years, studying the current situation in Qatar
Source: Qatar News Agency