Qatar Celebrates the Arab Water Day Tomorrow

Doha , March 02 (QNA) - Under the Arab League's title of "Protecting Water Resources is a Joint Responsibility", the State of Qatar represented by Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) will celebrate the Arab Water Day tomorrow Saturday. Minister of Energy and Industry HE Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada said that Qatar's participation in the day's events will be to reflect the importance of preserving water resources in achieving water security. Also, to bolster the integration of the Arab world's developmental plan related to water resources and food security, the Minister added. HE Al Sada expressed his thanks to HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani for forming the Permanent Water Resources Committee (PWRC) based on Emiri decision no. 19 for 2011. Al Sada, who heads the committee, said that the committee plays an important role in developing a Qatari strategy for operating its water sector effectively, consistently with Qatar National Vision 2030 and Qatar National Development Strategy 2011-2016. The Minister noted that Doha will host the 10th GCC Water Conference, as a sign of Qatar's keenness to encourage GCC cooperation. The conference will take place on April 22-24, 2012. A selection of experts in the water field in addition to GCC decision makers will attend the conference, the Minister added. Al Sada said that Qatar will also participate in the OIC's conference on water resources. The conference will be held in Istanbul, Turkey on March 5-6. A high-ranking Qatari delegation will also participate in the 6th World Water Forum. The forum will be held in Marseille in mid-March. The Minister called on Qatari nationals and residents to commit to the guidelines of rationalizing water consumption and asked the citizens to be inspired by Islamic principles that go against wasteful extravagance. For his part, President of Kahramaa Eng. Eissa bin Hilal Al Kuwari said that the corporation will remain loyal to its mission which supplies the highest quality of water to the country's citizens at the least possible cost. He added that the company will continue to develop the infra-structure in keeping with the increasing number of projects in the country. The President of Kahramaa praised the corporation's workers for their efforts in providing safe drinking water that conforms to the World Health Organization's (WHO) standards as well as their continued efforts in infra-structure projects and beginning the works of enhancing Qatar's strategic water reserves in consistence with Qatar National Vision 2030 and Qatar National Development Strategy 2011-2016. The number of Kahramaa subscribers increased by 21.6% year-on-year in 2011 to reach 225,851 subscribers, the President said. He stressed that despite the increase, the corporation's service remained top notch. He said that the Arab Water Day coincided with preparations for the GCC Water Week's celebration, which takes place in March 22-24 of every year. As well as coinciding with the World Water Day on March 22, Al Kuwari added. Which, in turn, coincides with the 10th GCC Water conference, the President of Kahramaa said. (QNA)