Qatar and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) formally agreed yesterday to host the 2012 sessions of the UN Climate Change Conference in Doha from November 26 to December 7.

Commonly referred to as COP18/CMP8, the 2012 sessions will mark the 18th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC and the 8th session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol.

In a ceremony at the Qatar National Convention Centre, the venue of COP18/CMP8, the Host Country Agreement was signed by incoming COP18/CMP8 president and chairman of Qatar Administrative Control and Transparency Authority, HE Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah and the UNFCCC executive secretary Christiana Figueres.

Speaking on the occasion, HE al-Attiyah stated that under the leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Qatar has a proud history of hosting credible negotiations on tough issues.

“We look forward to welcoming the world to Doha in November to continue the ongoing work on global climate change policy,” he said.

Describing QNCC as the greenest building ever to host COP, HE al-Attiyah explained that the event will be attended by more than 17,000 participants from 195 nations, over 5,000 observers from civil society organisations and 1,500 media persons.

“Doha’s largest event to date, it deals with one of the most serious issues of all time. The conference is being held for the first time in the GCC region, hosted for the first time by a major energy producing country and second time by an Arab nation.

“We can assure world class facilities, warmest hospitality, and transparency and inclusiveness to give every voice an opportunity,” HE al-Attiyah said.

Figueres observed that Qatar is rapidly becoming known throughout the world as a small nation with a big vision and a deep commitment to shaping an even brighter future.

“Climate change is one of the single most critical issues facing our world today and I congratulate Qatar on its commitment to hosting a transparent and open negotiation among the countries gathering in Doha this fall,” she said.

Preparations for the conference began earlier this year when HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued Emiri Decree number 37 of 2012 establishing the Higher Organising Committee to negotiate requirements for the upcoming conference with the UNFCCC and lead preparations for hosting the event.

Chaired by HE al-Attiyah, the Higher Organising Committee includes Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiya, Minister of Energy and Industry HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada, Minister of Environment HE Abdullah bin Mubarak bin Aaboud al-Midhadhi, COP18/CMP8 general co-ordinator HE Abdulaziz bin Ahmed al-Malki and Qatar National Food Security Programme executive chairman HE Fahad bin Mohamed al-Attiya.

Immediately following the Host Country Agreement signing, Qatar signed an agreement with Qatar Foundation naming the QNCC as the official venue for the event. HE al-Malki and QF’s vice-president for capital projects and facilities management Saad al-Muhannadi were the signatories.

Qatar also signed an agreement with QMDI for conference services and support. HE al-Malki and QMDI chairman Hamad al-Naser were the signatories.

In a message, HE al-Malki said that the QNCC, in addition to being a world class facility, sets the standard for innovative use of sustainable design and technologies, even generating one-eighth of its own energy from solar panels.

While COP18/CMP8 sessions are only open to official delegates of participating states and observer organisations, a wide variety of public events are planned around the conference.
Details on the 2012 UN Climate Conference and related events will be made available over the next months on the official host country website, www.cop18.qa