Doha, July 07 (QNA) - The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Qatar launched a workshop today on the project to review, update, and develop Qatar's National Radiological and Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan. The workshop was organized in cooperation with Finnish consultancy STUK International and was attended by representatives from several national entities.

The workshop brought together representatives of national agencies involved in the country's emergency preparedness and response system to review the project's objectives, key areas of work, coordination mechanisms, and updates to Qatar's national arrangements for radiological emergencies.

During the workshop, Abdulaziz bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, said that the launch of the project to update and develop Qatar's radiological and nuclear emergency plans reflects the country's commitment to strengthening its national preparedness and response capabilities and developing a system capable of responding to a wide range of potential scenarios in a coordinated and effective manner in line with international best practices and standards. He explained that responding to radiological and nuclear emergencies is a shared national responsibility that requires clearly defined roles, rapid information exchange, and effective coordination among all relevant institutions and agencies.

He added that the importance of the project extends beyond reviewing documents and plans to be building a shared understanding and updating operational procedures in a way that supports decision-making and protects people and the environment. He noted that the project's outcomes will be based on Qatar's national circumstances and needs and will be developed in partnership with the entities that form a key part of the country's emergency response and implementation system.

The undersecretary also praised the important role of the Civil Defense Council as the national framework for interagency coordination, as well as the National Radiological and Nuclear Emergency Team for overseeing the project's outcomes and helping translate them into practical and implementable arrangements. He stressed that the participation of national entities is essential to the project's success because of their practical expertise and understanding of operational roles, responsibilities, and capabilities. (QNA)