'Doha Programme a good plan for investment in people, poverty eradication'

HE the Director of the Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Turki bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud affirmed that the Doha Programme of Action (2022-2031) is a good plan for the least developed countries as it incorporates key criteria, the most important of which are investment in people, poverty eradication and capacity building without discrimination, especially for most vulnerable elements such as women, the elderly and people with disabilities.
In a session on generalising the right to development through the Doha Programme, he added that the programme's second criterion is to take advantage of new technology in order to improve infrastructure in the least developed countries, while the third is to support structural transformation to make it an engine of prosperity in least developed countries. The promotion of international trade for the least developed countries and the integration of regional interaction are among key factors or criteria for the Doha Program towards facing modern challenges and threats such as the coronavirus pandemic and the repercussions of climate change; thus, these countries must be ready to face future challenges, he said, stressing the need for mobilising global solidarity to implement the Doha Program to help the least developed countries' exit and transition to the list of medium developed countries.
HE Dr Turki also stressed the importance of providing global community protection for the least developed countries and enabling them to access quality education, acquire necessary skills, achieve the principle of gender equality, empower women and youth to lead economic growth, improve health, build sustainable peace and achieve sustainable development, pointing to the need to benefit from technology to empower communities in the least developed countries, increase the number of scholarships and places for education and training, and support access to the Internet, electricity and a healthy life.
He called on the UN entities to support the implementation of the Doha Programme effectively and to conduct annual reviews of the progress achieved in implementing the programme in order to facilitate any challenges that may arise and add any amendments that may be required to such programmes. Panellists at the session discussed how the implementation of the Doha Programme can contribute to the enjoyment of all human rights by all in the least developed countries.
They also reviewed the experiences of their countries and the organisations they represent in addressing the challenges facing their societies and highlighting success stories in them, stressing that development is one of the most urgent necessities of human rights, and it is a comprehensive economic, social, cultural and political process. (QNA)