Muscat: Represented by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC), the State of Qatar participated in an international workshop focused on the safe management of hazardous chemicals. The workshop, which spanned two days, was organized in Muscat by Oman’s Environment Authority in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Program and the Global Environment Facility.

According to Qatar News Agency, the MECC stated that the workshop’s activities align with the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. This convention serves as a practical guide to support precise and effective compliance with the agreement’s requirements, helping to identify suitable alternatives to mercury and its compounds across different industries. Such alternatives are crucial for reducing the risks associated with mercury, a substance hazardous to both health and the environment.

The workshop addressed several key topics, including the role of the General Administration of Customs in monitoring chemical materials at border crossings, and the procedures for transporting and storing hazardous materials and mercury. Additionally, it explored the risks that mercury poses to the agriculture sector.