Qatar signs agreements to enhance civil defence

DOHA: Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday inaugurated the 23rd session of the General Assembly of the International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO) at Sheraton Doha.

The opening was attended by a number of Their Excellencies, senior civil defence officials from a number of countries and senior officials in the region. The session discussed a several issues related to the work of ICDO and the development of its work, its internal law and its future plans, which will contribute to the promotion of joint international action in the fields of civil protection and the protection of life and property.

The Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Directorate of Civil Defence, signed minutes of meeting with the Russian Federation and a Letter of Intent on the sidelines of the ICDO General Assembly.

The minutes were signed from Qatar side by Director General of Civil Defence Staff Brigadier Abdullah Mohammed Al Suwaidi, and the Russian side by director of the International Cooperation Department in Russian Emergency Ministry Alexander Romanov, whereas the Letter of Intent  (LoI) was signed by ICDO Secretary-General Dr Vladimir Kuvshinov.

Director-General of Civil Defense (right) Staff Brigadier Abdullah Mohammed Al Suwaidi and Alexander Romanov, Director of the International Cooperation Department, signing the agreement on the sidelines of the General Assembly of International Civil Defense Organization in Doha yesterday.

Brigadier Al Suwaidi said that the signing of the minutes of a meeting with the Russian Emergency Ministry aims to exchange experiences and enhance cooperation between the General Directorate of Civil Defense Qatar and the Russian Civil Defense.

Speaking at the opening session of ICDO,  Director-General of Public Security Major General Saad bin Jassim Al Khulaifi said that Doha’s hosting of ICDO was an important opportunity for joint cooperation to deal with risks and disasters.

Al Khulaifi added: “I have confidence that these meetings and the decisions taken would meet the aspirations and hopes of the members states in the area of civil protection and the preservation of life and property.”

He also pointed out that despite international and regional efforts in the area of disaster reduction, thousands of people in some countries were at risk and were losing their lives. “The ICDO with its vast experience is capable of promoting joint action and achieving its goals during the next phase in terms of risk reduction and capacity building in the context of renewed awareness to achieve the goals of sustainable development,” he said.

He also mentioned that the exposure of people and property to disasters in countries across the world leads to greater risks and increased economic, social, health and environmental impacts.
Kuvshinov appreciated the State of Qatar’s effective role in the organisation, adding, “as long as there is a state like Qatar in the organisation, we will move towards achieving common goals in the protection of peoples and states in disasters.”

“Actually, Doha is the fruitful tree that spread security and peace. We rely heavily on this session in Doha, which has done a great work to make it success and to come out with effective decisions and recommendations that achieve the desired goals.”