Iran and Qatar Align to Help the Environment

While the world sees Iran up to nuclear arms, Qatar and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding regarding helping to preserve the environment. Qatar’s  Gulf Times reported that a memorandum of understanding was signed on February 22 by Qatar’s Minister for the Environment, Abdullah bin Mubarak bin Aboud al-Midhadhi, and by Iran’s environment head Mohamed Javad Mohamedi Zadeh. In the understanding, the two countries agree to be involved together in a number of environmental areas:

Managing green reserves, green spaces, plant growth and animal husbandry,  in addition to the environmental management of coastal areas, desertification control and the exchange of experiences and expertise between the two countries.

We have already noted several environmental projects that Qatar has unilaterally been involved in, including the construction of a new green LEED convention center in Doha, an agreement between Qatar’s Doha Bank and UNESCO to “Green the Middle East,”and a television program by Qatar TV, “Stars of Science,” that focused on environmentally friendly science and technology projects.

But does their abilities in any way match the pace that’s been set by the rest of the world, and can Iran look past its current activities and see a greener future?

Iran’s involvement in environmentally friendly projects has been largely overshadowed by its ongoing nuclear energy program, however; which many countries fear is being undertaken for the purpose of acquiring nuclear weapons. They do have some environmental projects, including one we reporting on bio-fuels from algae at a site near the large Maharlu Salt Lake in Fars Province. But Iran cannot hide its nuclear ambitions. As we have noted in several articles, nuclear energy, even for peaceful purposes, is not exactly the most environmentally friendly. Other regional countries, including Jordan and Abu Dhabi, are also considering nuclear power stations.

The ink was barely dry on the above mentioned agreement, however, when the two countries signed another agreement two days later dealing with defense; and in which the two countries will work jointly on issues dealing with “elements behind regional insecurity”.Who are the “elements behind regional security”?

With this new agreement, it now appears that the two countries will be working together in much more than just matters dealing with the environment; especially in dealing with “elements” that Iran especially claims to be responsible for regional insecurity.

While we are not a political news and commentary website, it might be added here that a bit of caution should be addressed to these kinds of mutual agreements which could develop into something a bit more that just working together to “exchange experiences and expertise.”

After all George Washington, when he gave his Farewell Address as the first US President said something very important that the Emir of Qatar should take to heart: “Beware of entangling alliances.”

:: www.gulftimes.qa

More about Qatar and Iranian environmental projects:
Iran Creates Biofuel From Algae
Qatar Airways and Airbus Join in Biofuel Project
Qatar Establishes Gene Bank to Conserve Local Plants and Animals