Qatar looks to Oregon for sustainability expertise

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Qatar, a tiny Middle East country with the highest per capita income in the world, might not appear to have much to do with Oregon. But its focus on sustainability and a desire to address food security issues may have a positive impact on the state's economy.

At the United Nations General Assembly last week, a group representing the Qatar National Food Security Programme took the wraps off an ambitious idea to use clean technology and other innovations to address the problem of food and water shortages in arid countries — its own and others around the world.

On Thursday, that same group will sign a memorandum of understanding with Gov. Ted Kulongoski to solidify Qatar's intent to work with Oregon and its universities to tap the state's expertise in sustainability, agriculture and renewable energy to address these same issues.

The plan is certainly global in reach with broad implications, but, at this stage, it's short on specifics.

What's clear is that Qatar is ready to spend the money to move the idea forward — a tab that is likely to reach well into the billions of dollars. Country representatives have made it clear that they are ready to spend the money necessary to implement meaningful change.

"It's very exciting that we're a country this small and able to do a project of this scale,” said Fahad Al Attiya, chairman of the Qatar National Food Security Programme.

Engineering company CH2M Hill, which has already been working on the project for nine months, stands to land a large contract to continue leading the effort.

"Our role will be ongoing planning and program design," said Joseph Danko, Corvallis-based vice president and global director of sustainable solutions for CH2M Hill.

Danko, who has been involved with other Middle East projects such as the sustainable city of Masdar in Abu Dhabi, said the most exciting aspect of the Qatar food security effort is the intent to share the information with other dry countries around the world through the auspices of the UN and the World Bank.

"That model of collaboration is key for robust sustainable solutions," Danko said.

Mahendra Shah, director of international affairs for the Qatar National Food Security Programme, said Oregon’s practical experience was attractive.

"Oregon is a small state with many dry areas that has proven its ability to transfer technology to agriculture," Shah said.

Oregon State University, with its agricultural and engineering prowess, is also well positioned. OSU’s dean of engineering, Ron Adams, visited Qatar along with a delegation of Oregonians in May and has talked at length about how the university can be involved.

Qatar will draw on that expertise to improve food yields on existing farmlands and to utilize dry lands for agricultural use.

David Kenney, president and executive director of the Oregon Built Environment & Sustainable Technologies Center traveled to Qatar and said there is also an opportunity for Oregon’s green building expertise in the Qatar partnership.

“The delegation visiting Oregon this week has a focus on food and agriculture,” Kenney said. “But they understand that their food system is interconnected with the development of their urban environments and the importance of sustainable buildings as part of the country’s master planning process.”

He added that the Qatarians have expressed interest in the Oregon Sustainability Center project and will be briefed on the plans for the building, envisioned as a multi-story living building that will showcase the state’s expertise in sustainability and green building.

The Oregon-Qatar connection is due in part to the fact that Joseph LeBaron, U.S. Ambassador to Qatar, is a native Oregonian and a graduate of Portland State University.

Nancy Hamilton, who until June 30 served as economic development adviser for Gov. Kulongoski and leads business development for McKinstry, said a LeBaron visit to the governor's office last year nudged the partnership off the ground.

"Indirect impact to our economic development takes place this way," Hamilton said. "The work gets done between the cracks."

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