Doha: The first Gulf conference on wildlife, organized by the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), commenced Tuesday, amid broad participation from experts, researchers, and specialists from GCC countries, in addition to representatives of a number of regional and international organizations, to examine the implications of invasive alien species.
According to Qatar News Agency, the conference is being held under the theme of protecting natural resources, the environment, and society from the impacts of invasive alien species. It reviews the latest scientific developments as well as Gulf and international experiences in addressing invasive species through panel discussions and workshops presented by experts and specialists in biodiversity and wildlife management.
The conference also serves as a platform for exchanging expertise, strengthening cooperation, and developing joint Gulf initiatives to protect ecosystems and conserve biodiversity. In his opening address, HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) Eng. Abdulaziz Ahmad Al Mahmoud affirmed that convening the conference comes at a stage that requires strengthening coordinated and joint Gulf action to protect natural resources from the growing impacts of invasive alien species.
He noted that this phenomenon is one of the most serious environmental challenges in the region and the world, due to its negative effects on ecosystems and natural balance, as well as its health and economic repercussions. His Excellency pointed out that recent years have witnessed a marked increase in the risks posed by invasive species, which necessitates enhanced exchange of expertise, policy development, national capacity-building, and the adoption of international best practices.
HE the Undersecretary of MECC stated that the State of Qatar has, over the past years, worked to develop an integrated system for biodiversity conservation, including updating legislation, strengthening environmental monitoring systems, promoting scientific research, establishing nature reserves, developing rapid response programs, and enhancing regional and international cooperation. His Excellency stressed that addressing the risks of invasive alien species requires a unified Gulf vision, especially as these species cross land, sea, and air borders without regard to geographical boundaries, which necessitates the development of integrated plans that include harmonizing monitoring and surveillance procedures, developing joint early-warning systems, exchanging scientific data, and building specialized technical and scientific capacities.
His Excellency noted that the State of Qatar is currently updating its National Biodiversity Strategy in line with emerging international goals, with a focus on developing advanced programs for managing invasive species, leveraging artificial intelligence technologies, enhancing national databases and monitoring systems, and cooperating with scientific institutions in Qatar and beyond. He added that GCC countries are moving toward adopting a proactive approach based on advanced environmental governance and long-term planning, which enhances environmental preparedness and protects natural resources from escalating risks.
HE the Undersecretary of MECC emphasized that effective partnership among governments, society, and the private sector is a fundamental pillar for achieving environmental sustainability. The conference witnessed the participation of experts from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), alongside specialists from GCC countries, who reviewed the latest scientific studies on the impacts of invasive species and discussed practical tools and strategies applied to combat them.
The outcomes of the conference are expected to contribute to strengthening joint Gulf efforts to protect natural resources and conserve biodiversity, establishing a unified future framework to limit the spread of invasive alien species, and supporting sustainable environmental development initiatives. The conference targets government entities concerned with wildlife and the environment in GCC countries, bodies responsible for environmental policy and biodiversity conservation, as well as environmental associations and non-governmental organizations.