A new Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea of the Italian Republic and the Ministry of the Environment of the State of Qatar formalizes cooperation between the two nations in addressing climate change vulnerability, risk assessment, adaptation and mitigation. Italy border the Mediterranean Sea and Qatar the Persian Gulf. As one of the five wealthiest “Gulf Nations” Qatar can play a key role in aligning the environmental interests of the region with those of Italy, a member of the European Union.

The agreement emphasizes promoting clean and efficient energy to support lowering carbon emissions, ensuring energy sustainability and actively adapting to protect the environment and natural resources. The parties will cooperate in submitting proposals of going projects to national and international funding sources, will build going capacity, transfer technology and share technical assistances. They will exchange information, materials, and experts. They will jointly organize workshops, seminars, and other meetings. They will promote private sector participation and actives to implement public / private partnership initiatives. Though the initial agreement lasts five years, it shall automatically be extended for successive five year periods unless one of the ministries terminates it. Even in such a case, the termination shall have no effect on ongoing cooperation projects or initiatives until they reach completion.

The agreement follows a July 2016 reminder from Qatar’s General Administration of Coasts & Borders Security that urged all vessels to preserve marine environments and avoid causing any type of marine pollution. Marine vessels shall not approach restricted areas, or oil and gas fields and platforms, and shall have both maritime positioning and rule of the road (ROR) systems deployed.