The Shura Council State of Qatar

In the plenary session of the 13th session of the Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Shura Council reviewed the efforts of the State of Qatar and its relentless pursuit towards relying on renewable energy within the framework of the trend towards achieving sustainable development in accordance with Qatar National Vision 2030.

The Shura Council is represented in the work of the session hosted by the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, by HE Eng Ahmad bin Hitmi Al-Hitmi, member of the Council.

During the session, HE Eng. Al-Hitmi stressed the interest of the State of Qatar in the issue of "energy transition" and overcoming obstacles to sustainable development, pointing out that the State of Qatar has achieved important successes in the transition towards clean energy.

In this context, His Excellency highlighted the most important projects implemented by the country in the field of infrastructure, including the transportation sector, which relies in large part on electric energy, in addition to the various initiatives in this regard, which were most evident during the World Cup.

His Excellency added that the efforts of the State of Qatar led to the success of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, as the first carbon-neutral tournament in the history of the FIFA World Cup competitions.

His Excellency referred to the technologies used by Qatar to cool the stadiums of the World Cup, as well as lighting the stadiums using solar energy.

His Excellency touched on "Al-Kharsaah" project, which contributes to 10 percent of the electricity demand in the country. He said that these technologies enabled the development of energy-saving cooling methods for growing crops during the summer months, which is of great benefit to members of society.

In a related context, His Excellency pointed to the completion of the initiative to plant one million trees, as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions, and noted the Qatar National Strategy for Environment and Climate Change, which aims to preserve and enhance the quality of life in the long term by reducing carbon emissions by 25 percent by 2030.

His Excellency stressed that these remarkable successes make the Qatari experience a role model in implementing sustainable development programs and plans, especially its success in diversifying energy sources and benefiting from the prevailing climatic conditions in the country and transforming climate challenges into real opportunities for investment and development, which support its ability to fulfill its international obligations established in many international treaties on environmental protection and combating climate change.

His Excellency also touched on Qatar's support for developing countries to face the repercussions of climate change.

In this context, His Excellency also referred to the State of Qatar's provision of USD 25 million in support to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to deal with the effects of climate change, natural hazards and environmental challenges, out of its belief that the phenomenon of climate change constitutes an existential threat, which confirms the importance of international cooperation to take urgent measures to confront this phenomenon. 

His Excellency noted the State of Qatar's encouragement to invest in the field of renewable energy and energy rationalization, by providing financial, administrative and media incentives that make this investment attractive, safe and economically feasible, as well as providing support to leading companies active in the field of renewable energy.

His Excellency touched on the energy challenges facing the world today in light of the crises and disasters that afflict a number of countries in the world.

His Excellency said that the current time is characterized by instability and is witnessing successive crises and grave challenges that have led to an increase in global demand for energy, in addition to the natural disasters that many countries are exposed to as a result of climate change.

The 13th session of the Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency and the accompanying meetings discuss new opportunities that can arise from potential partnerships in establishing local value chains, stimulating the decarbonization of industries, creating new jobs, and ensuring greater social justice, with the aim of providing a more sustainable energy transition through international cooperation.

The meetings also include a number of topics related to renewable energy, enhancing energy sustainability efforts and achieving a sustainable future, decentralized renewable energy solutions for remote and isolated communities, and stimulating local financing for renewable energy projects.