Earthna is promoting sustainability in Arid areas

Earthna Summit 2023

The upcoming second edition of the Earthna Summit will continue its commitment to tackling sustainability challenges in nations characterized by hot and arid climates. During the summit, the Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future, affiliated with the Qatar Foundation, will highlight its ongoing research and extensive initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability. Dr. Gonzalo Castro de la Mata, the Executive Director of Earthna, has announced that the next Earthna Summit is scheduled for early 2025.

“The second edition aims to continue fostering vital dialogues and discussions on sustainability in hot and arid environments, bringing together global experts, academics, and governmental representatives,” he told The Peninsula.

The first Earthna Summit, held in March 2023, convened leaders, academics, and experts to discuss urgent issues, including biodiversity, water and food security, and overall sustainability. With a participation of more than 1,500 individuals from over 100 countries, the Summit facilitated the exchange of ideas, strategies, and commitments to promote global sustainability.

As a carbon-neutral event, the summit brought together policymakers, thought leaders, academics, and businesses at local, regional, and international levels. Discussions encompassed the creation of new sustainability frameworks, topics related to food security, adaptation, and resilience, climate and energy, and biodiversity, ecosystems, and indigenous knowledge.

Themed 'Building New Sustainability Pathways for Hot and Arid Environments,' Earthna Summit 2023 renewed its emphasis on exploring ancestral solutions to climate challenges and their potential contributions to ongoing sustainability initiatives.

Looking ahead to 2024, the center will concentrate on ongoing research efforts, particularly in areas such as biodiversity, sustainability frameworks, traditional knowledge, cultural heritage, water management, and food security. This ongoing work aims to contribute significantly to understanding and addressing challenges in these crucial fields.

“Throughout the year, Earthna plans to release comprehensive reports on various topics, contributing valuable insights into these fields, with a focus on policy recommendations. These reports will not only serve as informative resources but also foster a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between ecosystems, human activities, and sustainable practices,” said Dr. Mata.

The Earthna Centre will persist in its partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, along with other essential stakeholders. In 2024, it plans to organize events such as Qatar Sustainability Week and the Qatar National Dialogue on Climate Change. Additionally, the center will proactively involve itself with the community, stakeholders, experts, and academics spanning different sectors.

Source: The Peninsula