Qatar to Host 18th Conference on Climate Change (COP18) in 2012.

Durban, South Africa, November 29 (QNA) - The State of Qatar has been chosen to host the 18th Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP18) in 2012. This came during the meetings of the 17th Meeting of States Parties to the Convention, currently in session in Durban city, South Africa. This choice comes in recognition of contributions made by the State of Qatar in the field of environment and in implementation of the directives of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and the constant follow-up of HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The conference is the most prominent international meeting in the field of environment, of political, and economic, and environmental importance in light of the growing global interest in the adverse effects of climate change, and the impact of its decisions on the global economy. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change emerged of the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, with a membership of 194 States, while the Kyoto Protocol was issued in 1997 in the Japanese city of Kyoto for a period of 15 years ending in 2012. The States Parties to the Convention are expecting that the 18th Conference of States Parties to the Convention would issue important decisions relating to the period after the Kyoto Protocol . (QNA)