Dushanbe                                                                                                                                                                                              20 June 2018                                                                                                                                                                                        (QNA)

Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry of Qatar said today that water plays an essential role in adapting the social, economic and environmental systems with accelerating changes. He said that the success of State of Qatar in achieving the sixth goal of sustainable development is by ensuring the availability of water and sanitation services for all in the country.

He was addressing at an International conference started today in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on ‘ Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2018’. Dr. AlSada stressed on the importance of intelligent water management as a basis for sustainable development.

Three days long conference is organized by the Government of Tajikistan in cooperation with the United Nations (UN) and a number of partners, aims to continue and enrich the debate till June 22.  Over 1,000 delegates from 100 countries including head of states, ministers, experts, representatives of various UN agencies, int’l and regional organizations, members of the business communities, NGOs and members of civil society are participating in the conference, which seeks to implement water goals and targets.

It discusses ways in which the member states, relevant UN bodies, specialized agencies, regional commissions, partners including the private sector, can contribute to support the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan.

The conference also discusses the importance of monitoring, financing, capacity development, innovation, technology, knowledge, information, and data, as well as best practices and promoting partnership to implement those objectives.

Dr. Al Sada also referred to the launch of the Permanent Water Resources Strategy Committee and Qatar’s National Water Act, which aims to secure water for future generations.

Essa bin Hilal Al Kuwari, President of Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA)  briefed on the efforts of achieving the sixth goal of sustainable development in light of the rapid population growth witnessed by Qatar and KAHRAMAA’s efforts to ensure water quality according to the highest international standards.

Al Kuwari praised the success of KAHRAMAA through the National Program for Conservation and Energy Efficiency (Tarsheed) in reducing the per capita consumption of water, despite the increase in demand and comprehensive renaissance in Qatar. He pointed to the efforts of the State of Qatar in achieving water and food security through the strategy of integrated water management, water recycling and use in a number of purposes such as central cooling of the areas as an alternative to drinking water in accordance with the decisions of the Permanent Water Resources Strategy Committee.

The conference aims to mobilize the efforts of governments, UN agencies, international organizations and non-governmental organizations, as well as other concerned parties at all levels. The purpose is to ensure achieving 2030 goals  and to create a solid platform for coordinated and integrated actions aimed at promoting sustainable water resource management.