Qatar and Norway have collaborated in a drive that encourages people to plant trees and plants that are suited to the arid conditions of Qatar.

To mark the launch of the Million Trees Campaign tomorrow (December 3), volunteers will hand out 3,000 different trees that can grow in hot and dry climates at the Doha Exhibition Centre during the Qatar Sustainability Expo, which is running during COP18CMP8 Doha, the UN Climate Change Conference.

COP18/CMP8 Doha is the 18th annual meeting of the parties involved in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It is taking place in Doha between November 26 and December 7.

Present at the launch will by Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, president of COP18/CMP8 Doha, who has been appointed the director of the campaign. He will be joined at today’s launch by representatives from the Government of Norway, members of Norwegian NGOs and representatives from Qatari and Norwegian companies which have contributed to the project.

The Million Trees Campaign has been organised by the National Campaign for Ideal Behaviour, a year-long initiative taking place across Qatar to promote harmony among communities, in conjunction with civil society groups from Qatar and Norway. A Qatari company, the Chinese Arab Group and its partners, has been contracted to be the general coordinator of the project.

At the launch, about 30 volunteers of different nationalities will arrive at the launch on horse-drawn vehicles to ensure the event is as environmentally-friendly as possible. They will hand out trees donated by Norway as well as sidra trees, a native species of Qatar that flourishes in the desert climate.

The trees will be planted with the help of Al Sulaitin Agricultural and Industrial Complex, one of the largest agricultural companies in Qatar. The company will plant the trees and install the latest irrigation technology. – TradeArabia News Service