Doha: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) held the Marine Wildlife Forum 2025, with the attendance of HE Undersecretary of MoECC Eng. Abdulaziz bin Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud, along with a lineup of officials, experts, academics, and environmental enthusiasts. Held under the patronage of HE Minister of Environment and Climate Change Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, the forum aims to strengthen the protection of Qatar's marine resources, particularly coral reefs, and ensure their sustainability. This initiative aligns with Qatar's commitment to preserving its marine environment and biodiversity, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030).
According to Qatar News Agency, the forum was moderated by Chairman Dr. Mohammed Saif Al Kuwari and featured contributions from Director of Wildlife Development at MoECC Yousef Ibrahim Al Hamar, Professor Dr. Shaker Hamza Hussein Al Hazim from Kuwait, Dr. Mohsen Abdullah Al Yafai of Qatar University, and environmental activist Brigadier General Mohammed Yousef Al Jaida. In his opening remarks, Dr. Al Kuwari emphasized the crucial role of coral reefs in the marine ecosystem, recognizing their essential function in maintaining ecological balance and safeguarding marine resources for future generations.
Dr. Al Kuwari highlighted that as part of QNV 2030, MoECC launched a program in 2024 aimed at protecting and restoring coral reefs in the country. The ministry has surveyed and studied 17 sites in Qatar's territorial waters to assess the condition of coral reefs, with plans to develop and restore damaged areas. The program also aims to identify coral-rich areas and those that can support the transplantation of cultivated coral reefs, marking a pioneering initiative in developing Qatar's marine wildlife.
The studies conducted under the program led to the discovery of two new soft coral species in Qatar, in addition to the already known 40 hard coral species and five other soft coral types. These discoveries reflect the richness of Qatar's marine environment in terms of biodiversity. These efforts are part of the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030 and the national biodiversity plan, demonstrating Qatar's commitment to implementing the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and achieving QNV 2030.
Director of Wildlife Development at MoECC Yousef Ibrahim Al Hamar stated that the Ministry completed the first phase of the national coral reef protection project in October 2024, within ten months. He noted that this project marks a significant advancement in environmental initiatives, contributing to food security by providing a fertile environment for local fish, preserving biodiversity, and supporting the sustainability of Qatar's marine environment.
The project has also attracted rare species of whales and dolphins to Qatar's waters, showcasing national efforts' success in preserving marine biodiversity. Al Hamar mentioned that the next phase will involve transferring coral reefs from donor areas to damaged ones to further promote the development of marine wildlife.
Dr. Mohsen Abdullah Al Yafai and Professor Dr. Shaker Hamza Hussein Al Hazim shared Qatar's and Kuwait's experiences, respectively, in protecting marine resources, underlining the forum's collaborative approach to environmental conservation.