UN Climate Change Conference opens in Doha

HE the Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah opened in the Qatari Capital of Doha on Monday the 18th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP18) with the participation of high-level representatives of about 194 countries around the world, and in the presence of more than 17 thousand visitors, of whom 7 thousand are members of non-governmental organizations, 1500 journalists, and the coverage of 90 television station.  HE the Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah was elected the President of the Climate Change Conference (COP18).  COP18, which will last up to the 7th of December, aims at assessing the progress that has been made in the application of policies related to climate change, as well as providing a platform for the member states to adopt important decisions in this regard, especially with regard to the Kyoto Convention, which expires at the end of 2012.  This is the first time the COP is being held in the Middle East.