Qatar underlined the need to strengthen international solidarity, multilateral co-operation and partnerships among stakeholders to achieve social development goals, especially in light of the challenges posed by the global health crisis.
This came in a speech delivered by HE the Minister of Social Development and Family Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad, at the Ministerial Forum of the 60th session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development, which began on Wednesday via video conferencing.
The minister said that the ongoing negative effects of the global health crisis have led to a decline in the gains in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the first and second goals related to the eradication of poverty and hunger, which requires international co-operation.
HE al-Misnad noted that Qatar plays an active role in the global partnership for development, and emphasised that the government’s initiatives on international co-operation in the humanitarian and development fields are one of the pillars of the country’s foreign policy, which focuses on achieving economic and social development in low-income countries and those that suffer of conflicts and natural disasters.
She expressed pride in the achievements made by the Qatar Fund for Development through a many partnerships, including through international organisations, which aim to give hope and promote peace and justice through sustainable and comprehensive development.
HE the Minister of Social Development and Family highlighted some of Qatar’s achievements in terms of international co-operation to support countries affected coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, and those affected by conflicts and natural disasters, and noted that these efforts aimed at providing prosperity and dignity for all, and contributing to achieving the goals of eliminating poverty and hunger, and achieving food security.
The minister indicated that Qatar launched an initiative to establish the Global Dryland Alliance, which is one of the international mechanisms aimed at confronting climate change and achieving food security.
HE al-Misnad noted that the alliance agreement was concluded in Doha in 2017, and entered into force after ratification by the State Parties in accordance with the provisions of the convention.
The Alliance was granted an "observer" status in the United Nations General Assembly, in recognition of the important role it can play at the global level.
HE the Minister of Social Development and Family also referred to the role of the Qatar Fund for Development in supporting countries affected by climate change or those suffering from conflicts and disasters.
She said that the Qatar Fund for Development signed an agreement at the end of 2021 with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to help Somalia improve its resilience in the face of climate change.
This agreement aims to enhance agriculture and livestock production for smallholders, through the development of proactive strategies capable of adapting to the effects of climate change, and predicting crises.
The minister added that the Qatar Fund for Development also signed in June 2021 a contribution agreement with the Adaptation Fund established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, with the aim of financing adaptation in most countries exposed to climate change, including the least developed countries and the small island developing states.
HE al-Misnad also noted Qatar’s contribution to providing urgent humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, including by launching an air bridge from Doha to Kabul, through which nearly 70 tonnes of food and medical supplies were transported.
She added that Qatar recently signed, through the Qatar Fund for Development, an agreement with the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide $90mn to help meet urgent food security needs in Yemen, which is threatened with famine and economic decline due to conflict, in addition to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
On the ongoing health crisis, HE the Minister of Social Development and Family underlined that Qatar, since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, has not hesitated to provide support, at the bilateral level and through international organisations, to countries that lack the resources to provide vaccines and medical supplies.
She referred to the country's recent partnership with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), under which $10mn was provided to support the Covax facility to contribute to the purchase of 1.3bn doses of a safe and effective vaccine by the end of 2021, towards the aim of ensuring fair and equitable access to vaccines in 92 low-income countries.
The minister also referred to the $10mn agreement signed between Qatar and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2021 to support the organisation's Thirteenth General Programme of Work (GPW 13), and Access to Covid-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A).
HE al-Misnad also touched upon Qatar's partnership with the United Nations, which comes within the framework of strengthening the role of the Qatar in the multilateral international co-operation to confront global challenges.
This partnership resulted in the establishment of the United Nations House, which will be opened soon in Doha to include a number of UN offices and bodies working in the field of social and economic development and realisation of international peace and security.
In conclusion of her speech, HE the Minister of Social Development and Family stressed Qatar's firm belief that multilateral co-operation is the only way to confront global challenges, and expressed Qatar's aspiration to increase partnerships that would contribute to ensuring a prosperous development future for all.
The 60th Session of the UN Commission for Social Development is held this year under the theme of *Inclusive and resilient recovery from Covid-19 for sustainable livelihoods, well-being and dignity for all.
The minister said that the ongoing negative effects of the global health crisis have led to a decline in the gains in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the first and second goals related to the eradication of poverty and hunger, which requires international co-operation.
HE al-Misnad noted that Qatar plays an active role in the global partnership for development, and emphasised that the government’s initiatives on international co-operation in the humanitarian and development fields are one of the pillars of the country’s foreign policy, which focuses on achieving economic and social development in low-income countries and those that suffer of conflicts and natural disasters.
She expressed pride in the achievements made by the Qatar Fund for Development through a many partnerships, including through international organisations, which aim to give hope and promote peace and justice through sustainable and comprehensive development.
HE the Minister of Social Development and Family highlighted some of Qatar’s achievements in terms of international co-operation to support countries affected coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, and those affected by conflicts and natural disasters, and noted that these efforts aimed at providing prosperity and dignity for all, and contributing to achieving the goals of eliminating poverty and hunger, and achieving food security.
The minister indicated that Qatar launched an initiative to establish the Global Dryland Alliance, which is one of the international mechanisms aimed at confronting climate change and achieving food security.
HE al-Misnad noted that the alliance agreement was concluded in Doha in 2017, and entered into force after ratification by the State Parties in accordance with the provisions of the convention.
The Alliance was granted an "observer" status in the United Nations General Assembly, in recognition of the important role it can play at the global level.
HE the Minister of Social Development and Family also referred to the role of the Qatar Fund for Development in supporting countries affected by climate change or those suffering from conflicts and disasters.
She said that the Qatar Fund for Development signed an agreement at the end of 2021 with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to help Somalia improve its resilience in the face of climate change.
This agreement aims to enhance agriculture and livestock production for smallholders, through the development of proactive strategies capable of adapting to the effects of climate change, and predicting crises.
The minister added that the Qatar Fund for Development also signed in June 2021 a contribution agreement with the Adaptation Fund established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, with the aim of financing adaptation in most countries exposed to climate change, including the least developed countries and the small island developing states.
HE al-Misnad also noted Qatar’s contribution to providing urgent humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, including by launching an air bridge from Doha to Kabul, through which nearly 70 tonnes of food and medical supplies were transported.
She added that Qatar recently signed, through the Qatar Fund for Development, an agreement with the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide $90mn to help meet urgent food security needs in Yemen, which is threatened with famine and economic decline due to conflict, in addition to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
On the ongoing health crisis, HE the Minister of Social Development and Family underlined that Qatar, since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, has not hesitated to provide support, at the bilateral level and through international organisations, to countries that lack the resources to provide vaccines and medical supplies.
She referred to the country's recent partnership with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), under which $10mn was provided to support the Covax facility to contribute to the purchase of 1.3bn doses of a safe and effective vaccine by the end of 2021, towards the aim of ensuring fair and equitable access to vaccines in 92 low-income countries.
The minister also referred to the $10mn agreement signed between Qatar and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2021 to support the organisation's Thirteenth General Programme of Work (GPW 13), and Access to Covid-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A).
HE al-Misnad also touched upon Qatar's partnership with the United Nations, which comes within the framework of strengthening the role of the Qatar in the multilateral international co-operation to confront global challenges.
This partnership resulted in the establishment of the United Nations House, which will be opened soon in Doha to include a number of UN offices and bodies working in the field of social and economic development and realisation of international peace and security.
In conclusion of her speech, HE the Minister of Social Development and Family stressed Qatar's firm belief that multilateral co-operation is the only way to confront global challenges, and expressed Qatar's aspiration to increase partnerships that would contribute to ensuring a prosperous development future for all.
The 60th Session of the UN Commission for Social Development is held this year under the theme of *Inclusive and resilient recovery from Covid-19 for sustainable livelihoods, well-being and dignity for all.
