Qatar hosts GCC meeting on wildlife and natural habitat preservation

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held its 21st meeting of the Standing Committee for the Convention on the Conservation of Wildlife and Natural Habitats in Doha, Qatar, on Friday and Saturday. The meeting, organised by the GCC General Secretariat’s Human and Environmental Affairs Sector, was chaired by Mohammed Ahmed Al-Khanji, director of Qatar’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) Wildlife Development Department.

According to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), key discussions focused on updating the 2003 Convention on the Conservation of Wildlife and Natural Habitats, a binding agreement aimed at preserving the region’s ecosystems and protecting threatened species. The convention mandates member states to collaborate on cross-border conservation efforts, enact legislation to protect natural habitats, and prevent pollution.

#Qatar Chairs 21st Meeting of #GCC Standing Committee of Conservation of Wildlife and Natural Habitats #QNAhttps://t.co/lxR18qW58X pic.twitter.com/E37rKekx0n

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) August 24, 2024

The meeting also explored updating other environmental frameworks, including laws on falconry ownership and measures against threats to biodiversity. Representatives discussed Kuwait’s proposal to host Gulf Wildlife Day on 30 December, which was approved by the committee.

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The discussions serve as preparation for an upcoming meeting of GCC ministers on environmental affairs. The committee reviewed strategic plans and international agreements, such as CITES and the Convention on Biological Diversity, to align regional policies with global standards.

GCC representatives proposed several recommendations, which will be submitted to the Committee of Undersecretaries for review before being presented to the GCC Ministerial Committee responsible for environmental affairs at its next meeting.

The delegates also discussed plans for the first Gulf Conference on Wildlife and the celebration of Gulf Wildlife Day, which will feature workshops and training programmes focused on wildlife conservation.