Doha, January 08 (QNA) - Sustainability is one of the main axes in the State of Qatar's comprehensive development process, and includes environmental, economic, social, urban sustainability, and others.

Qatar is keen to adopt the best international practices to ensure the sustainability of natural resources, in a way that serves current and future generations, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.

From this standpoint, the State of Qatar pays great attention to sustainability and related green projects, as it is one of the strategic goals of the state and a global issue that its importance is highlighted in every summit, conference, or meeting as well as its priority in any current or future sustainable development plans, projects, and programs.

Qatar has stressed the importance and vitality of the issue of sustainability and the consolidation of its culture in society, by including it in its National Vision 2030, and making it a focus of attention for citizens and residents, and in different short, medium, and long-term development plans, initiatives, and programs, including the provision of modern infrastructure and urban development, capable of meeting the needs and aspirations of current and future generations, by adopting the best practices to achieve the goal of sustainability in various fields, including urban sustainability, and the transformation into smart and environmentally friendly learning cities.

Urban sustainability has received wide attention from countries and specialized organizations. This relates to the design and development of cities and communities in a way that achieves a balance between human needs and the preservation of the environment and natural resources, and the provision of a healthy, educational, and living environment for city residents to improve their quality of life.

In this context, the State of Qatar has been keen to pay attention to this vital aspect in all its dimensions, and to launch several ambitious national initiatives that aim to increase green spaces, including planting one million trees by the end of 2022, and launching the initiative to plant ten million trees by the beginning of 2023, in order to improve the quality of life in cities and achieve sustainable development, as well as transforming various areas and cities into an urban model for sustainable and environmentally friendly planning, while identifying environmental controls and basic indicators that should be taken into account when carrying out sustainable planning for green cities to ensure a healthy and sustainable environment.

In turn, all of this contributed to eight Qatari cities receiving the title of Healthy City from the World Health Organization, as well as seven Qatari cities joining the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities.

The Qatari cities that have successfully joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities include Al Wakrah in 2017, Al Shamal in 2019, Al Sheehaniya in 2020, Doha, Al Rayyan, and Al Daayen in 2022 and finally Umm Salal in 2024. Work is currently underway on the eighth city, Al Khor and Al Thakhira.

The accession of Qatari cities to the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities is a culmination of the state's efforts to adopt a strategy to spread the concepts of sustainability and integrate society into it by implementing programs, projects, and initiatives in cooperation and partnership with civil society institutions, providing a suitable environment for current and future generations, contributing to the development of society, and spreading awareness of sustainability and green buildings. 

The fact that seven Qatari cities have joined the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Network of Learning Cities under the umbrella of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning demonstrates Qatar's endeavors, which were made possible thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Municipality's strategy of promoting sustainability and involving the community by launching relevant programs, projects, and initiatives.

This achievement was also the result of a collaboration and partnership fostered together with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, represented by the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science and civil society organizations, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, to provide future generations with a suitable environment, contribute to community development, and raise awareness about sustainability and green buildings.

Both Al Wakrah and Doha won the UNESCO Learning City Award; the former won it in 2021 after competing with 60 other cities and making it to a list of top 10 cities recognized for outstanding achievements in the field of lifelong learning, whereas Doha won it in 2024 during the 6th International Conference on Learning Cities held recently in Jubail, Saudi Arabia.

These global achievements reflect the State of Qatar’s strong commitment to promoting lifelong learning and its foresight with regards to education as being a fundamental tool for sustainable development and forming adaptable communities capable of facing future challenges, in addition to being a fulfillment of the Qatar National Vision 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals, namely Goal 4 on quality education for all and Goal 11 on building sustainable and resilient cities and communities.

The State of Qatar gives special attention to infrastructure projects, investing in renewable energy, increasing green spaces in cities, improving waste management systems, recycling, and converting waste into energy, in line with global sustainability standards. (QNA)