Qatar’s National Day represents opportunity for everyone to be inspired by - learning lessons, strength, and determination

The State of Qatar’s National Day, which falls on Dec. 18 of every year, represents an opportunity for everyone to be inspired by - learning lessons, strength and determination, to follow the path of Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, who established the State of Qatar, as affirmed by the Minister of Municipality H E Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie. This occasion proves that our unity really is the source of our strength, as well as the secret of our solidarity and cohesion to move forward in the march of renaissance and progress for this homeland and achieve the hopes and spirations of its people, under the wise leadership of the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, he added. In an exclusive statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Minister of Municipality said that the slogan of Qatar’s 2022 National Day ‘Our Unity Source of Our Strength’ embodies the values of loyalty, solidarity and cohesion among the segments of society, which have characterized the Qatari people throughout the ages, adding that we must be inspired by this occasion to renew our determination, continue the process of development, and exert more work and effort, to raise Qatar to the horizons of progress and prosperity.On this dear occasion, he extended his warmest congratulations to the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the esteemed government, and the Qatari people.

Minister of Municipality H E Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie highlighted the importance of this year’s National Day, as it coincides with the historical and exceptional event of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which is being hosted by the country, noting that this makes the celebration particularly special, as it gives Qataris a sense of pride of their homeland, leadership and fellow citizens, and consolidates the country’s position and leadership, regionally and globally.

He commended everyone’s contribution - individuals and institutions, in presenting a positive image to visitors to Qatar during the World Cup period, and highlighting the bright aspects that reflect the Qatari heritage, the country’s national values, and the Arab and Islamic civilization, underlining the importance of the World Cup in removing barriers between different cultures and uniting the peoples of the world under one banner - football.

In regard to the Ministry of Municipality’s accomplishments and plans, Minister of Municipality announced that - thanks to the wise guidance and unlimited support of the wise leadership, the ministry has recently made many achievements in various fields.

In the field of food security, the percentage of self-sufficiency in local vegetables increased from about 20 percent in 2017, to reach about 46 percent in 2022, an increase of about 130 percent, while the percentage of self-sufficiency in dairy products increased from about 28 percent in 2017 to 100 percent in 2022, which means that the sufficiency rate has quadrupled during the last five years, he explained, adding that 100 percent of fresh broiler chicken has been achieved, compared to 50 percent in 2017.

As for the fresh red meat, the self-sufficiency rate increased from 13 percent in 2017 to about 18 percent in 2022, an increase of about 38 percent, while the self-sufficiency rate of fresh fish is about 77 percent, he added.

There has been a huge rise in the number of public parks in the recent years, His Excellency noted, adding that their number increased to 148 parks in 2022, after it was only 56 parks in 2010, with an increase of 164 percent. He indicated that green spaces in the country have also increased to more than 43 million square meters in 2022, from about 2.5 million square meters in 2010, which was reflected in the green area’s per capita share, which rose to 16 square meters, after it was less than one square meter in 2010, with an increase of 16 times.

During the past period, more than a million trees were planted, as part of the initiative to plant a million trees, which was launched in 2019, His Excellency said, adding that the ministry recently rehabilitated and developed 8 beaches, within the first phase that includes 18 beaches, and provided them with various facilities and services for the public.

The Minister highlighted that all Qatari cities have been awarded for their efforts as ‘Healthy Cities,’ indicating that the State of Qatar is the first country in the Eastern Mediterranean region to have all its cities obtain the title ‘Healthy Cities,’ due to its remarkable efforts in applying the foundations and standards of environmental, health and urban sustainability, which are considered the most important indicators of healthy cities.

In the field of developing electronic services and enhancing the protection of information security, the ministry recently launched a digital project - transforming its services into smart and proactive, which will be implemented in the cooperation with Oracle, he said, pointing out that this project is considered one of the most strategic projects in the ministry to develop about 400 services for the public. This project is expected to make a quantum leap towards smart city solutions, he added.

He concluded his statements by expressing Qatari people’s pride and admiration of Qatar’s organization of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which history will record as the best edition among all previous tournaments, praying to the Almighty to protect the State of Qatar, its leadership and its people to carry on with the comprehensive renaissance in various fields.