Al-Attiyah Addresses Petersburg Climate Change Dialogue

Berlin, July 16 (QNA) - Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority and the President of the Climate Change Conference (COP18), HE Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah took part in the third Petersburg Climate Change Dialogue held in the German capital Berlin under the theme "Matching Ambition with Action." Addressing the opening session, HE Al-Attiyah reiterated that the arrangements to host the COP18/CMP8 in Doha are well advanced explaining that Qatar has the required infrastructure and the readiness to deliver all logistical support for the event. He extended thanks to the German government for sharing the hosting of this event with Qatar and to all attendees for accepting Qatar's imitative to attend this two-day event. He also noted that the conference will take place at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), which has obtained U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)'s LEED certification and will be the 'greenest building' to ever host COP event. Al-Attiyah said that the Petersburg Climate Change Dialogue will discuss many issues that will lead to an enhanced future development, adding that Qatar, in accordance with its National Vision 2030 started a wave of initiatives that are aligned with the environmental and sustainable development goals which is one of the four pillars of the National vision which include green standards for building, recycling plants and cleaner energy. He said that The State of Qatar, During presidency of the COP18/CMP8 is determined to conduct open, comprehensive and transparent consultations, noting that during COP Bonn Inter Sessional meeting Qatar's delegation had had an active role and engaged in a number of bilateral meetings with various parties aimed at understanding the various points of view on different topics. He reiterated that there are still many pending issues that need to be addressed in the short period before COP18/CMP8 conference within the Ad Hoc working Groups of Kyoto Protocol, the cornerstone of climate change efforts, stressing the importance of reaching an agreement on its amendments, particularly the carbon emission reduction. Concluding his speech, HE Al-Attiyah said " Today we have an important opportunity to have an open and constructive discussion to address the many concerns of climate change. The Petersburg Climate Change Dialogue creates an environment in which ministers and chairs can meet in an informal setting; making it possible to have frank consultations and pave the way forward to a better future." " I want to hear your expectations for what needs to delivered at the Doha Conference to make it a success," Al-Attiyah said. The Petersburg Climate Change Dialogue discusses over two days a number of important subjects on its agenda, on the top of that laying appropriate foundations for future efforts related to climate change and sustainable development. The Session was attended by Qatar's Ambassador to Germany, HE Abdulrahman Mohamed al Khulaifi and members of the delegation accompanying HE the Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority. (QNA)