HE the Speaker of the Shura Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud has highlighted the interest of Qatar, under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, to deepen partnerships and open new horizons for relations between countries, regional and international groupings, in particular African countries and organisations, to build solid strategic relations based on the principle of constructive co-operation to serve common interests.
HE al-Mahmoud said that this interest comes due to the commonalities between Qatar and African countries in various fields, “which increases our enthusiasm and our quest to join as an observer member of the African Parliamentary Union to recognise the deep historical ties and common interests of supporting the issues of liberation, development, brotherhood and good neighbourliness, and security in our region.”
He added that Qatar views Africa as a promising continent that has the essential elements for achieving a better future with its huge economic, productive and consumer potential, as the return on investment in the continent is one of the highest rates in the world.
These elements qualify it to become the most important pillars of global growth and make it the most important destination for long-term investment activities due to its strong economic resources and foundations such as the diversity and abundance of natural resources and the presence of a large untapped agricultural area.
HE al-Mahmoud pointed out that Qatar calls for studying priorities, ways to overcome challenges, and discuss the prospects for co-operation and encourage joint investments with African countries to provide employment opportunities for the African people and achieve sustainable development goals.
He stressed that the relationship between Qatar and the African continent will continue to develop to broader horizons to cover wider areas for the good of the region and its stability.
He added that Qatar has been able to strengthen its relations with the countries of the continent and to establish partnerships in various economic, social and cultural fields, and its diplomatic movement through mediation and good offices, contributed to the resolution of some African conflicts. The Speaker added that Qatar has also continued its efforts to support African issues in regional and international forums and has supported many countries of the continent in times of hardship and distress arising from conflicts and natural disasters.
“Qatar has a comprehensive vision of security in the region because it considers that its security is an integral part of the security of the region, and this view is based on the fact that extremism, violence, conflict, war and immigration are caused primarily by the absence of job opportunities, poverty and widespread ignorance among young people, making them vulnerable to all sinister temptations by criminal organisations.”
He added that Qatar has continued to advocate the need to take preventive measures against these phenomena in the region by investing in development projects through direct support and initiatives to provide job opportunities for young people as the pillar of the future.
Qatar will also contribute $100mn to the United Nations to help countries face of the effects of climate change, including some countries of the African continent.

Qatar signs agreement with APU
Qatar, represented by the Shura Council, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday with the African Parliamentary Union (APU). The MoU was signed at the headquarters of the People’s Palace in Djibouti during the participation of the Shura Council in the 42nd Conference of Speakers of Parliaments of the African Parliamentary Union (APU). The agreement was signed by HE the Speaker of the Shura Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud and the Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the African Parliamentary Union Alassane Bala Sakande.
Under the MoU, the two parties agreed to strengthen parliamentary co-operation and friendship between Qatar and the African Parliamentary Union and bring peace among peoples as well as to enhance parliamentary channels of communication between the two parties, exchange parliamentary knowledge and expertise in the legislative, supervisory and administrative fields, and enrich common points of convergence and work for peace in the world.


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