Doha: The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) is making its contribution in preparations for hosting 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar in cooperation with the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC).
“The Ministry has provided government lands to meet the requirements of the giant sporting event such as fan zones, training stadiums, logistical sites and other needs that help in the success of the tournament,” said Director of Public Relations Department at MME, Abdullah Mohammed Al Falasi.
He was speaking in a panel discussion at the Government Entities Forum, which was held on the sidelines of the Qatari Success Forum.
Al Falasi said that the environmental sector of the Ministry is also making many efforts to make this tournament environmentally friendly by achieving all environmental specifications and requirements, and setting up air quality monitoring stations for each stadium to ensure the achievement of globally appropriate environmental conditions and in accordance with Qatari standards.
He said that the Ministry is planting a large number of trees to reduce carbon emissions and ensuring the continuation of the tournament in a healthy environment. Al Falasi said that the general services sector, represented by the General Cleanliness Department, will have a vital role in maintaining hygiene at the projects, facilities and stadiums of 2022 FIFA World Cup.
With regard to outdoor cleaning operation, he said the necessary plans and programs have been developed to perform these works such as providing enough containers, removing waste, sweeping and washing streets, using specialised mechanisms and equipment with international technical specifications. Speaking about the efforts to preserve the environment, Al Falasi said that the environmental sector is working hard to preserve the survival of vital systems, restore balance, preserve the environment, and protect resources for future generations.
He said that the environmental sector supervises the implementation of environmental projects and initiatives, including the establishment of nature reserves, which cover about 23% of the country’s area.
Al Falasi said that the most prominent is Al Reem Biosphere Reserve, which was enlisted in Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) of Unesco in 2007.
He said that other projects include rehabilitating and developing parks and planting trees of the Qatari environment, as well as implementing the initiative ‘Plant Million Trees’, and the initiative to establish a green belt around the city of Doha and its suburbs, and other projects and initiatives. Al Falasi said that efforts have also been made to preserve the marine environment from rare marine animals, such as the project to protect the endangered hawksbill sea turtle, study the life of whale sharks, and dugongs in Qatari waters.