HUNDREDS of activists from different parts of the world Saturday embarked on a historic march in Doha, Qatar to demand urgent action against climate change.
Participants said the procession, which preceded negotiations at the ongoing United Nations' Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), was symbolic because it is the first time Civil Society Organisations would be doing so at such a high-profile international event.
The convention, which is being attended by 194 countries, over 17,000 visitors, including more than 7,000 members of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and 1,500 journalists, is expected to end on December 7.
Being the 18th edition of Conference of Parties (COP18), it will assess progress in climate change policy and offer platform for members of the parties to adopt resolutions.
Participants marched under the banner, "One Environment, One People, One Earth." Activists from over 15 Arab nations — Qatar, Mauritania, Morocco, Jordan, Libya, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Algeria, Sudan, Oman, Egypt and Bahrain — called on their leaders to commit to reducing emissions by 2020 as a symbolic support for the first climate negotiations ever held in the Middle East.
The march is supported by regional and international NGO networks, including IndyACT, OASIS Doha, 350.org, Climate Action Network, and the global TckTckTck campaign, as well as youth activists who were instrumental in the Arab spring and are now organised in the new Arab Youth Climate Movement (AYCM).
The youth climate movement unites hundreds of grassroots activists from across the region. In November, activists staged a regional Day of Action in the lead up to the UN climate talks in Doha.
AYCM, the youth arm of IndyACT in the Arab world, are concentrating their message to push the Arab government, especially Qatar, to pledge for reduction of green house gases.
A senior official of IndyACT, Ali Salam, told The Guardian that "knowing that Qatar is hosting the COP and as a member of the GCC and OAPEC with highest emissions per capita allowing a march for the first time in its history, we chose to push them to lead other Arabic countries to make a pledge.
"The march is not only regional and focusing on Arab states, it is international to save planet earth by asking everyone to find a solution to climate change and take their responsibility in the process."
