Qatar has shown strong commitment to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as the Addis Ababa Action Plan, said Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations has said.

Speaking at the opening session of the high-level meeting to prepare for the Economic and Social Council Forum on the Follow-Up of Financing for Development, Liu Zhenmin praised Doha for hosting several conferences, forums and international development mechanisms, including the 2008 International Conference on Financing for Development.

He noted that the conference was held at the height of the global economic crisis and managed to mobilise the international community on the financing agenda for development despite all the difficulties facing the world at that time. "The development scene since the Doha Conference witnessed many changes. However, the spirit of co-operation and respect remained a legacy of that conference", he added

He said: "This meeting aims at recalling the action plans, enhancing confidence, co-operation and joint action in the current international environment, besides exchanging expertise and developing action plans at the local and international levels. "

The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs stressed that the Doha meeting is rich in successful local and national experiences, which can become global trends, noting that progress in a given country may positively affect other countries.

He pointed to the risks facing the global economy and the challenges of recovery despite the positive economic scene in some areas, referring to the major humanitarian crises, natural disasters, water shortages and other challenges that hinder growth and push millions of people below the poverty line.

He stressed the importance of international co-operation to meet the current global challenges. The Development Agenda 2030 and the Addis Ababa Plan of Action provide a general framework for moving forward, he said, noting that the Third Forum of the Economic and Social Council on Follow-up to Financing for Development scheduled for April next year will review the progress and challenges at the level of sustainable development plans.

He noted that the achievement of the 2030 development goals rests with national governments, thus enhancing dialogue among policy makers and all frameworks and departments at the local level to achieve comprehensive sustainable development.

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