UNDP, Morocco Sign Pact to Defeat Climate Change

Doha, December 06 (QNA) - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Thursday signed a regional climate change initiative with Morocco on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference COP18 currently in progress in Doha. In exclusive statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA) today, the director of the UNDP S Regional Bureau for Arab States, Dr. Sima Bahouth said this initiative is a regional framework pact that binds a number of Arab states together. She said Morocco was particularly chosen to sign this agreement for two reasons; mainly for being an Arab Country and for contributing to launching the initiative. Morocco hosted the launch of this initiative back in 2010 at the city of Skhirat. Bahouth said the agreement was signed to help Arab countries survive and adopt to climate change events, including food and water security as well as coastal erosion occurrences in the Arab region. Meanwhile, Moroccan minister of energy, minerals, water and environment, Fouad Al-Duwairy told QNA that the pact, being supported by the United Nations, is an opportunity to exchange views and expertise to confront climate change issues. He pointed out that the Arab states are particularly vulnerable to climate change sequels due to their fragile climate conditions. We are facing challenges to mobilize water and food security and we ll keep on working to achieve progress in this regard, Al-Duwairy concluded. (QNA)