Minister Inaugurates 3rd Recycling Towards Sustainability Conference, Exhibition

Sustainability Conference

HE Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie inaugurated Tuesday the 3rd Recycling Towards Sustainability Conference & Exhibition, organized by the Ministry of Municipality for two days.

The inauguration was attended by a number of Their Excellencies Ministers and Ambassadors accredited to the State, as well as a group of local and international experts and specialists in the field of waste management, recycling, and sustainability.

In his inauguration speech for the conference and exhibition, HE Minister of Municipality said that the ministry developed several integrated plans, laws, and goals and has worked on achieving them to safely dispose of all kinds of waste at all sites and benefit from them using latest methods, upon which the ministry accomplished major achievement, on top of which during the last period was recycling all the waste generated during the activities of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 by achieving a 100 percent sorting and recycling.

His Excellency added that this was the first time in the history of the World Cup tournaments to achieve such a percentage, as the State of Qatar managed to achieve zero waste after turning all waste gathered from all stadiums and fan zones into recyclable materials or clean energy at the Domestic Solid Waste Management Center (DSWMC) in Mesaieed, which is the most significant center in the State and the region in receiving waste and processing them.

His Excellency indicated that in 2022, more than 271 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and more than 35 tons of fertilizers were produced at DSWMC, as well as re-sorting more than 27,000 tons of recyclable materials. The DSWMC in Mesaieed was awarded the GCC Prize in the field of municipal work in its fourth session in the category of best practices in waste management and recycling as a culmination of its pioneering role in waste treatment and recycling.

His Excellency pointed out that one of the Ministry of Municipality's most significant achievements was the disposal of all the used tires stockpiled in the country after developing a well-thought plan to safely dispose of discarded tires and find solutions to recycle them in all its affiliated sites. Around 180,000 tons of tires were disposed of in cooperation with local private sector companies and tire recycling factories in the Al Afja area for recycling industries, which have been allocated by the state due to the importance of these industries in achieving the goals of sustainable development, and within the framework of the state's keenness to support and encourage partnership between the government and private sectors.

His Excellency noted that the Ministry of Municipality works to encourage various segments of society to reduce waste and raise their awareness through the 'zero waste' campaign launched to develop a methodology of thinking regarding the management of waste and its importance and to reach an advanced level of community awareness of the importance of waste as part of resource sustainability.

The Ministry of Municipality continues its effective efforts to achieve the Qatar National Vision 2030 in the field of promoting sustainability and optimal use of resources through future projects, such as establishing an engineering landfill with the highest international standards and specifications, operating a station for sorting and recovering recyclable materials in Al Khor city, and finding the best solutions and methods for waste treatment and recycling, he added.

His Excellency said that the ministry also attaches great importance to afforestation projects and increasing green spaces, as at the end of 2022 the initiative to plant one million trees was completed in partnership and cooperation with various ministries, institutions, and civil society. The ministry is also implementing the initiative to plant ten million trees by 2030, as part of the State of Qatar's continuous efforts to achieve sustainable development and preserve the environment.

HE Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie concluded his speech by expressing his hope for an active participation in this conference from all community institutions, private sector companies, researchers and academics, to exchange expertise and experiences, as well as to learn about the latest technology in the field of waste management, safe and sound disposal and recycling. This approach aims to integrate efforts to achieve the strategic objectives of the State of Qatar and various countries around the globe in the field of improving the quality of life and the sustainability and preservation of resources, he added.

Represented by the Ministry of Municipality, the State of Qatar's keenness to organize this conference and exhibition in its third edition, comes within the framework of its great interest in the issue of waste reduction, recycling, legalization and proper management, to become a multi-use source for many products and industries that contribute to the development of the local economy, Al Subaie stressed.

Through its National Vision 2030, the state was keen to achieve a balance between the components of sustainable development, which represents a comprehensive framework for improving the optimal utilization of waste, with the participation of all institutions and groups of society at the governmental and private levels, he added.

For his part, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Services Affairs at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment Eng. Ahmed Mohamed Al Sada said in a statement that the annual organization of the Recycling Towards Sustainability Conference & Exhibition comes in line with the strategic plan of the Ministry of Municipality, Qatar National Development Strategy, and Qatar National Vision 2030.

Al Sada pointed out that the conference aims to enhance sound waste management practices, promote a culture of waste reduction, present the latest technologies in this field, as well as shed light on the importance of academic research in developing recycling and waste treatment practices.

Over two days, the conference brings together a group of senior officials in Qatar and various countries around the globe, as well as officials from different companies and institutions, experts and specialists in the field of waste management and recycling, several government institutions and private sector companies, in addition to international and regional organizations, he explained, adding that they gather to share their expertise and experience, and to review the latest technologies in the field of waste management, methods of treatment and means of disposal.

For his part, Director of Waste Recycling and Treatment Department at the Ministry of Municipality Hamad Jassim Al Bahar said that the ministry's keenness to organize the Recycling Towards Sustainability Conference & Exhibition, confirms its commitment to promoting sound waste management practices and strengthening the efforts of the State of Qatar to achieve the National Vision 2030.

Al Bahar expressed the ministry's delight that the conference & exhibition is supported by several entities, including Expo 2023 Doha, Seashore Group for Recycling and Sustainability, Keppel Seghers, Shell Corporation and Suhail Industrial Holding Group.

It is noteworthy that the conference will highlight the importance of environmentally friendly practices and the latest approved methods of waste management, and will focus on the importance of cooperation between individuals, societies and governments in order to preserve a healthier and more sustainable planet, by adopting environmentally friendly practices based on waste management.

(QNA)