The State of Qatar took part in the virtual side meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), on the sidelines of the first session of the Preparatory Committee for the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5).
The delegation of the State of Qatar was chaired by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi.
In a videotaped speech during the meeting, HE Al Muraikhi underlined the keenness to participate in all preparatory meetings for the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, which will be held in Doha in January, praising the appreciated efforts made by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in preparing for this important meeting.
HE Al Muraikhi said that the State of Qatar spares no effort to play its role as an active partner in the international community in responding to common needs and challenges, expressing pride that these efforts have resulted in positive contributions to alleviating the burdens and addressing the challenges facing many countries.
He underlined that the State of Qatar has been keen to provide development assistance to the least developed countries within the established policy of the State of Qatar in providing support to issues of priority to the international community, noting that HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani announced during the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit Qatar’s contribution of $100 million to support the least developed countries and small island developing states to deal with climate change.
HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi said that the State of Qatar is proud to host the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Doha from January 23 to 27, 2022, realizing the importance of multilateral action based on the principle of partnership and cooperation, which is a fundamental pillar in its policy that attaches special importance to the priorities and needs of the least developed countries.
He expressed confidence that Doha conference will be an important opportunity to support the efforts of all the least developed countries, especially the least developed countries in the Arab region, and to help them protect the development gains they have achieved, strengthen partnerships and cooperation between them and other countries, and move forward in achieving the sustainable development goals.
HE Al Muraikhi noted that the negative repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic exacerbated the humanitarian needs and increased the size of the existing challenges, especially for the least developed countries, noting that there is no doubt that the conference will have an important role in responding to the needs of the least developed countries and supporting them to address the challenges that cannot be confronted individually.
He looked forward for the Doha Program of Action for the next ten years to be the first to address the implications of the coronavirus pandemic on the least developed countries, and an opportunity to bring about substantial improvement and tangible progress at all levels, and for its results to be in the interest of the least developed countries, and to reflect the priorities and commitments that are compatible with the needs of those countries without neglecting the importance of enhancing investment in the global partnership. He expressed confidence that the deliberations of the meeting today will constitute a valuable contribution in this context.
HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi affirmed that the State of Qatar will spare no effort to make the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries a success, and to enhance the cooperation with all partners to achieve its desired goals of the conference.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs