World’s Leading Scientists Gather in Doha to Collaborate on Environmental Health Solutions

Doha, March 28 (QNA) - The Sixth International Conference on Environmental Mutagens in Human Populations (ICEMHP) is expected to conclude here tomorrow, Thursday, 29 March. The conference officially kicked-off earlier Tuesday and was attended by close to 350 attendees and speakers including leading scientists and researchers from the region and around the globe. The tone of the opening session was set by the inspiring welcome addresses by Dr Mohammad Fathy Saoud, President of Qatar Foundation who highlighted Qatar Foundation s role in driving Qatar from a carbon-based to a knowledge-based economy and the various research initiatives that are enabling Qatar to lead scientific discovery in the region. Alluding to the 2006 pledge of HH the emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, to dedicate 2.8% of national GDP annually to science and research, Dr Saoud pointed out,"This unique dedication of a vast resource has placed Qatar at the forefront of research efforts; complementing Qatar-based developments with international expertise, building networks that can provide homegrown solutions with global repercussions." On the particular importance of the conference for the region, Dr Saoud said, "Despite our focused efforts in this field, there still is a long way to go, as the study of environmental health is still underdeveloped in the Arab world. This conference aims to bring environmental health to the top of the regional research agenda and to benefit the region as global scientific developments and knowledge will be shared and opportunities for networking and further collaboration will be established." For his part, Dr Wiliam Au, Co-chair of the Conference and Chairman of Shantou University Medical College in China, and Dr Stefano Bonassi, President of the International Association of Environmental Mutagen Societies (IAMS), also welcomed the delegates on behalf of the organizers. Dr Saleh Al Marri, Assistant Secretary General for Medical Affairs of the Supreme Council of Health addressed the conference on behalf of its largest sponsor. A highlight of the opening session was the keynote presentation by Professor Dr Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand, who spoke on the impact of environmental factors causing cancer among the most vulnerable of populations - children. Earlier Tuesday afternoon, discussions continued in three parallel sessions. The sessions dealt specifically with environmental health concerns in developing countries, biomarkers for human population studies and the basic mechanisms of mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. During breaks, delegates and visitors reviewed poster presentations of abstracts submitted for the conference. The top three abstracts coming from students or junior investigators will be especially honoured with prizes awarded at the 6th ICEMHP's closing ceremony tomorrow. (QNA)