QNA/New York
Qatar has called for intensified efforts to remove the threat posed by proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), stressing that sustainable peace and stability in the world cannot be achieved in light of the continuing pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.
This came in a speech delivered by HE Sheikha Maryam Abdul Rahman al-Thani, a member of Qatar’s delegation to the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly, before the first committee on item: “Other Weapons of Mass Destruction.”
Qatar expressed concern over the risk that terrorist groups could obtain these destructive weapons, warning of the grave threats imposed on peace and security in the region.
Qatar urged the international community and countries in the region to take action in order to prevent such terrorist extremist organisations from obtaining such weapons, in implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1540 (2004), affirming that the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery constitute a threat to international peace and security.
The resolution obliges the member-states to refrain from supporting by any means non-state actors from developing, acquiring, manufacturing, possessing, transporting, transferring or using nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their delivery systems.
As part of its commitment to implement its international obligations to build a world free of weapons of mass destruction, Qatar has joined the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction and the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction.
Qatar expressed the hope that all nations will join the relevant United Nations conventions and resolutions, referring to the dangers posed by weapons of mass destruction during World War II.
The statement called to refrain from producing weapons of mass destruction, including chemical and biological weapons and other toxic weapons.
Qatar reaffirmed its principled position on the importance of international co-operation to confront this danger, pointing out that the challenges facing our world urge us to contribute in achieving human dignity.
There is no doubt that the unification of efforts to push forward the development process and achieve economic and humanitarian prosperity for peoples should be a priority at all levels.
Qatar’s permanent mission at UN hosts meeting
The Permanent Mission of Qatar to the United Nations hosted at its headquarters in New York, over two days, a meeting of the Advisory Group on the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
Valerie Amos, Emergency Relief Co-ordinator and United Nations Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, opened the meeting.
At the first session, HE Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Seif al-Thani, the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, stressed that Qatar attaches great importance to the CERF for its vital contribution over the years in international efforts aimed at addressing emergencies around the world. The meeting was attended by Dr Ahmad Mohamed al-Muraikhi, director of the Department of International Development at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representative of the State of Qatar in the Advisory Group, CERF officials, and Catherine Walker, head of the Advisory Group.
