The Ministry of Municipality recently commemorated the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 with an event aimed at highlighting national efforts in biodiversity conservation and agricultural sustainability. Held under the theme "Acting locally for global impact," the celebration was spearheaded by the Biotechnology and Gene Bank Section of the Ministry’s Agricultural Research Department.

The event was inaugurated by Hamad Sakit al-Shammari, director of the Biotechnology and Gene Bank Section, who praised the progress made by the Qatar Gene Bank since its establishment in 2012. Al-Shammari emphasized that Qatar’s initiatives to safeguard genetic resources exemplify how localized actions can contribute significantly to global biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability, and food security. He underscored the growing importance of preserving genetic diversity amidst challenges such as climate change, desertification, and land degradation, which threaten agricultural systems and the long-term viability of food production.

Two specialized scientific presentations were featured during the event. Aisha Dasmal al-Kuwari, head of the Biotechnology and Gene Bank Section, outlined Qatar’s approach to preserving plant genetic resources. She discussed national strategies aimed at protecting native plant species and maintaining agricultural biodiversity, highlighting genetic diversity as a critical basis for scientific research, crop improvement, and enhancing ecological resilience.

Dr. El Sayed El-Azzazy, a specialist in genetic resources, detailed the Qatar Gene Bank’s role in conserving biodiversity. His presentation explained the scientific methods employed to collect, document, and manage genetic materials and described the institution’s contributions to both national and international conservation efforts. Since its inauguration, the Gene Bank has preserved over 11.3 million seeds, representing approximately 75 percent of Qatar’s wild plant varieties, and has documented 1,404 genetic accessions to build a comprehensive database of plant genetic resources across the country.

Fieldwork has been integral to these outcomes, with more than 1,200 field expeditions conducted across diverse regions of Qatar—including environmentally sensitive and protected areas—to gather genetic material. The Gene Bank has also registered 894 Qatari genetic resource accessions in internationally recognized databases and maintains a scientific collection of roughly 3,500 herbarium specimens. Furthermore, the institution has provided training to 100 local participants through 20 international and regional courses, totaling 600 hours of specialized instruction.

Qatar has also contributed to global conservation initiatives by registering its genetic resources in the World Information and Early Warning System on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture maintained by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization. These efforts reflect the country’s commitment to supporting biodiversity conservation, enhancing scientific research, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices at both national and international levels.