Under the patronage and in the presence of HE Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, represented by the Chemicals and Hazardous Waste Department, celebrated World Ozone Day 2026, observed annually on 16 September. This year’s celebration was held under the theme “Global Action for a Cooler Planet,” as part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance environmental awareness and promote the concepts of sustainability and climate protection among various segments of society.
The event featured the honoring of the students who won the top three places in the “Best Illustrated Short Story on Ozone Layer Protection” competition, organized by the Ministry in cooperation with “Qatar Reads,” an initiative of Qatar National Library. Faisal Misfar Al Mseifri won first place, Al Maha Hisham Kazem came in second, while Ali Mohammed Al Marri won third place.
The winning schools in the Scientific Research Competition at the Minamata Convention on Mercury were also honored. The competition was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. At the preparatory level, Al Ghuwairiya Preparatory and Primary School for Girls won first place, Al Shahaniya Preparatory School for Girls came second, and Al Shamal Preparatory School for Boys came third. At the secondary level, Rawdat Bint Mohammed Secondary School for Girls won first place, Qatar Technical Secondary School for Girls came second, and Qatar Technical Secondary School for Boys came third.
This year’s celebration comes as the world marks ten years since the adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which has contributed to strengthening global attention to sustainable cooling and reducing the environmental and climate impacts associated with refrigerants. Meanwhile, the theme “Global Action for a Cooler Planet” highlights the importance of international cooperation and continued collective efforts to protect the ozone layer and support climate action.
The organization of the event reflects the State of Qatar’s firm commitment to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, as well as its commitment to supporting international efforts to protect the environment and reduce the impacts of substances affecting the ozone layer and climate, in line with the State’s vision for achieving sustainable development.
Student Creativity
The “Best Illustrated Short Story on Ozone Layer Protection” competition was organized as part of the environmental awareness initiatives implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to instill environmental culture among children and young people, encourage their positive engagement with environmental and climate issues, and transform environmental knowledge into messages and stories capable of reaching the community in a simple and innovative manner.
The entries addressed a number of themes related to ozone layer protection, including the importance of the ozone layer in protecting the Earth, the role of the Montreal Protocol in preserving it, and the responsibility of society and individuals toward the environment. They also presented practical solutions and positive behaviors that can be applied in daily life to support sustainability.
The submitted works were evaluated by a specialized judging committee according to a set of artistic and creative criteria, including the level of innovation, the extent to which the work addressed the topic of ozone layer and environmental protection, the clarity and awareness-raising impact of the message, the quality of the narrative and linguistic style, as well as the quality of the illustrations and visual design and compliance with the competition’s terms and conditions.
The first-place winner received a cash prize of QAR 4,000, in addition to having the winning story printed and officially published. The second-place winner received QAR 3,000, while the third-place winner received QAR 2,000. Certificates of appreciation were also presented to the winners, along with certificates of participation for those who took part in the competition.
Supporting Initiatives
The event also featured the honoring of Qatar Cool in recognition of its environmental initiative in the field of refrigerant management and reclamation through a specialized refrigerant gas reclamation facility. The initiative reflects the private sector’s role in adopting sustainable environmental solutions, reducing the environmental and climate impacts associated with refrigerants, and supporting national efforts to protect the ozone layer and promote the sound management of related substances.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change affirmed that World Ozone Day represents an important occasion to renew awareness of the importance of protecting this vital component of the atmosphere and to reinforce the responsibility of various sectors of society to adopt sustainable practices and preserve resources and the environment for future generations.
The Ministry continues its efforts to develop environmental awareness programs and strengthen partnerships with national institutions and various sectors, contributing to expanding community participation in environmental protection, building a generation that is aware of environmental and climate challenges, and capable of making an effective contribution to a more sustainable future.
Source: Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Celebrates World Ozone Day and Honors Winners of the “Best Illustrated Short Story” Competition