HE the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani has stressed the keenness of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to participate annually in the work of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), she that His Highness the Amir's speech in the opening session of the General Assembly has always been of great interest to world leaders, heads of delegations, and representatives of the UN and influential international organisations, as His Highness's speech delivers critical messages that reflect the reality of the challenges faced by the international community.
HE Sheikha Alya said added that the Amir will focus on the issues related to the Arab region, led by the Palestinian cause, in addition to the developments in Syria, Libya and Yemen.
She said that His Highness's speech will also address the future of the UN and what it should do during the coming period, in addition to several other issues such as the future of multilateralism, the significant role of promoting developmental and humanitarian issues, as well as the conflict and mediation issue and its essential preventive role of wars and crises, as the international community needs to prevent wars and crises and give a chance to mediation and conflict resolution.
In response to a question concerning Qatar's preparations and its efforts to secure the FIFA World Cup, HE Sheikha Alya said that in April 2022 Qatar submitted a significant resolution to the General Assembly concerning Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup in November 2022.
The decision was supported by the members and was adopted unanimously and was one of the most significant resolutions in 2022 on the agenda of sports, peace, and development.
This constitutes an important starting point that reflects the importance of sports, especially football, in implementing the development agenda and will be reflected in the Amir's speech, and what will be taken into consideration in future activities until hosting the World Cup and after hosting it.
HE Sheikha Alya added that as part of the preparations to host the World Cup, Qatar is set to launch a campaign under the title Scoring for the Goals, a historic campaign inspired by General Assembly resolution No 259/76, which underscores the value of football in promoting sustainable development, peace, tolerance, inclusion, and climate action.
The launch will include a film to be projected on the East Side and the Secretariat Building at the UN Headquarters, addressing the 17 sustainable development goals and identifying related topics through compelling images and narration.
The film will show that the world will gather on Nov 20 to witness the power of football as a tool for promoting peace and development; respecting human rights; achieving gender equality; empowering women, girls, and youths; and tackling climate change.
The film also declares to the international community that it is time to achieve the goals by giving all people the chance to thrive, eradicating extreme poverty and hunger and promoting a healthier lifestyle, providing education for all, and empowering individuals through decent work, innovation, infrastructure, and elimination of discrimination.
HE Sheikha Alya pointed out that the film scheduled to be shown at the terrace of the UN North Delegates Lounge (NDL) will be watched by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President of the UN General Assembly Csaba Korosi, and high-ranking persons representing teams of countries qualified to FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Concerning the Transforming Education Summit, called on by the UN Secretary-General and set to be held one day before the opening of the General Assembly, HE Sheikha Alya stressed that there is broad interest on the side of the wise leadership in providing education support for everyone around the world.
She pointed out, in this regard, the invitation extended by the UN Secretary-General to His Highness the Amir to attend as an education leader, one of only five invitations sent to five countries in the world.
She added that the education summit will discuss the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on education, as countries around the world encountered difficulties in continuing the education process in schools, and many countries counted on technology in the education process.
HE Sheikha Alya pointed out that Qatar was one of the pioneering countries in using modern technology to maintain students access to education and the continuation of the education process without disrupting the academic calendar at that time.
Thus, the summit will focus on several areas, including the importance of harnessing digital technologies to ensure access to education at all levels in case of future global pandemics.
She said that the summit will also focus on the issue of financing education, as the world is facing a huge economic crisis leaving a massive global education financial gap.
She stressed that Qatar will have high-level participation as it is one of the leading countries in providing education for all, using technology, and employing appropriate funding whether within Qatar or abroad, as Qatar supports education in all countries of the world and has its presence whether through bilateral co-operation or in co-operation with the UN.
HE Sheikha Alya said that the UN Secretary-General had called for holding three major summits as part of the common global agenda of the UN member states: the Transforming Education Summit will be held before the opening of the General Assembly, the Summit of the Future will be held in September 2023 and The World Social Summit in 2025. The summits come as part of the follow-up to the implementation of 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
On Qatar's contributions to the UNGA in its current session, HE Sheikha Alya said that Qatar has several contributions, and there are directives from HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani to the Permanent Mission for the need of significant initiatives and roles that will reflect Qatar's work in the General Assembly and the six main committees.
She added that in the past two years, Qatar has submitted significant resolutions, such as the resolution related to the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, which was adopted as an annual occasion on Sept 9, and submitted a significant draft resolution to designate an international day for women judges.
This is part of the initiatives that reflect the active diplomacy of Qatar and in the coming period, Qatar will present a resolution related to sports, peace, and development in preparation for Qatar's hosting of the World Cup.
On the reform of the UN system, HE Sheikha Alya said that the file of the UN's reform is one of the significant issues to be discussed in the framework of the General Assembly.
The UN system today needs a new look and new blood, especially in the shade of a complex international crisis.
Today there is disrespect and mistrust in multilateralism and its role in solving global problems, there is also a crisis concerning the respect of international law, which emphasises the need to reform the system whether about the role of the Security Council or strengthening the role of the General Assembly, as well as strengthening the role of the UN Economic and Social Council and strengthening the role of UN the Human Rights Council.
She added that concerning the reform of the Security Council, Qatar had played a significant role during the past two years, pointing out that Presidents of the past two General Assemblies had entrusted Qatar with the task of facilitating governmental negotiations on the reform of the Security Council.
Qatar had played its role in partnership with the ambassadors of Poland and Denmark, which reflects the international community's confidence in the role played by Qatar, especially on reforming the UN.
In response to a question concerning the UN's view of Qatar as an honest mediator in international conflicts, HE Sheikha Alya said that the country has emerged in the field of mediation over the years and has become known as the honest and successful mediator, pointing out that all the mediation and dispute settlement of conflicts that Qatar handled were considered challenging issues.
She gave an example of the success of the Qatari diplomacy in mediation efforts on the Afghan issue, where Qatar hosted the Afghan Peace Talks and still plays a significant role on this issue.
HE Sheikha Alya also pointed out that Qatar recently hosted the Chadian parties' peace talks, noting that this is one of the most complex issues in Africa.
She added that Qatar is regarded for having the needed objectivity and impartiality required to ensure any successful mediation and conflict settlement framework.
The UN Secretary-General praised on more than one occasion the role played by His Highness the Amir and the efforts exerted by Qatar in this field, and the Security Council for its part had also praised — on more than one occasion — the role of Qatar in mediation efforts, whether in Afghanistan or other files.
Concerning the Iranian nuclear programme issue, she said that HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs played a significant role in several meetings with his counterparts in Iran, the US, and many European countries to raise several issues, including issues related to the Iranian nuclear agreement.
She added that there is always an effort to involve Qatar because of its wisdom and ability to communicate, deliver positive messages, and eventually achieve positive results.
Concerning the current challenges, HE Sheikha Alya said that the General Assembly is the most important international body in the UN and is the main forum where all international issues on the agenda are discussed and that any international challenges that occur have their repercussions on the international agenda, the war in Ukraine has huge repercussions for the international agenda.
She added that several issues will have an impact on the General Assembly's agenda, such as the issue of global food security, which was greatly affected by the war in Ukraine, noting that food security will be one of the most significant issues to be discussed by the General Assembly in addition to many other issues.
In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), she that His Highness the Amir's speech in the opening session of the General Assembly has always been of great interest to world leaders, heads of delegations, and representatives of the UN and influential international organisations, as His Highness's speech delivers critical messages that reflect the reality of the challenges faced by the international community.
HE Sheikha Alya said added that the Amir will focus on the issues related to the Arab region, led by the Palestinian cause, in addition to the developments in Syria, Libya and Yemen.
HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani in interview with Qatar News Agency
His Highness's speech will also focus on several international issues related to developmental and humanitarian issues. There will also be a main focus on Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in November as a global event that attracts great international attention.She said that His Highness's speech will also address the future of the UN and what it should do during the coming period, in addition to several other issues such as the future of multilateralism, the significant role of promoting developmental and humanitarian issues, as well as the conflict and mediation issue and its essential preventive role of wars and crises, as the international community needs to prevent wars and crises and give a chance to mediation and conflict resolution.
In response to a question concerning Qatar's preparations and its efforts to secure the FIFA World Cup, HE Sheikha Alya said that in April 2022 Qatar submitted a significant resolution to the General Assembly concerning Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup in November 2022.
The decision was supported by the members and was adopted unanimously and was one of the most significant resolutions in 2022 on the agenda of sports, peace, and development.
This constitutes an important starting point that reflects the importance of sports, especially football, in implementing the development agenda and will be reflected in the Amir's speech, and what will be taken into consideration in future activities until hosting the World Cup and after hosting it.
HE Sheikha Alya added that as part of the preparations to host the World Cup, Qatar is set to launch a campaign under the title Scoring for the Goals, a historic campaign inspired by General Assembly resolution No 259/76, which underscores the value of football in promoting sustainable development, peace, tolerance, inclusion, and climate action.
The launch will include a film to be projected on the East Side and the Secretariat Building at the UN Headquarters, addressing the 17 sustainable development goals and identifying related topics through compelling images and narration.
The film will show that the world will gather on Nov 20 to witness the power of football as a tool for promoting peace and development; respecting human rights; achieving gender equality; empowering women, girls, and youths; and tackling climate change.
The film also declares to the international community that it is time to achieve the goals by giving all people the chance to thrive, eradicating extreme poverty and hunger and promoting a healthier lifestyle, providing education for all, and empowering individuals through decent work, innovation, infrastructure, and elimination of discrimination.
HE Sheikha Alya pointed out that the film scheduled to be shown at the terrace of the UN North Delegates Lounge (NDL) will be watched by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President of the UN General Assembly Csaba Korosi, and high-ranking persons representing teams of countries qualified to FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Concerning the Transforming Education Summit, called on by the UN Secretary-General and set to be held one day before the opening of the General Assembly, HE Sheikha Alya stressed that there is broad interest on the side of the wise leadership in providing education support for everyone around the world.
She pointed out, in this regard, the invitation extended by the UN Secretary-General to His Highness the Amir to attend as an education leader, one of only five invitations sent to five countries in the world.
She added that the education summit will discuss the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on education, as countries around the world encountered difficulties in continuing the education process in schools, and many countries counted on technology in the education process.
HE Sheikha Alya pointed out that Qatar was one of the pioneering countries in using modern technology to maintain students access to education and the continuation of the education process without disrupting the academic calendar at that time.
Thus, the summit will focus on several areas, including the importance of harnessing digital technologies to ensure access to education at all levels in case of future global pandemics.
She said that the summit will also focus on the issue of financing education, as the world is facing a huge economic crisis leaving a massive global education financial gap.
She stressed that Qatar will have high-level participation as it is one of the leading countries in providing education for all, using technology, and employing appropriate funding whether within Qatar or abroad, as Qatar supports education in all countries of the world and has its presence whether through bilateral co-operation or in co-operation with the UN.
HE Sheikha Alya said that the UN Secretary-General had called for holding three major summits as part of the common global agenda of the UN member states: the Transforming Education Summit will be held before the opening of the General Assembly, the Summit of the Future will be held in September 2023 and The World Social Summit in 2025. The summits come as part of the follow-up to the implementation of 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
On Qatar's contributions to the UNGA in its current session, HE Sheikha Alya said that Qatar has several contributions, and there are directives from HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani to the Permanent Mission for the need of significant initiatives and roles that will reflect Qatar's work in the General Assembly and the six main committees.
She added that in the past two years, Qatar has submitted significant resolutions, such as the resolution related to the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, which was adopted as an annual occasion on Sept 9, and submitted a significant draft resolution to designate an international day for women judges.
This is part of the initiatives that reflect the active diplomacy of Qatar and in the coming period, Qatar will present a resolution related to sports, peace, and development in preparation for Qatar's hosting of the World Cup.
On the reform of the UN system, HE Sheikha Alya said that the file of the UN's reform is one of the significant issues to be discussed in the framework of the General Assembly.
The UN system today needs a new look and new blood, especially in the shade of a complex international crisis.
Today there is disrespect and mistrust in multilateralism and its role in solving global problems, there is also a crisis concerning the respect of international law, which emphasises the need to reform the system whether about the role of the Security Council or strengthening the role of the General Assembly, as well as strengthening the role of the UN Economic and Social Council and strengthening the role of UN the Human Rights Council.
She added that concerning the reform of the Security Council, Qatar had played a significant role during the past two years, pointing out that Presidents of the past two General Assemblies had entrusted Qatar with the task of facilitating governmental negotiations on the reform of the Security Council.
Qatar had played its role in partnership with the ambassadors of Poland and Denmark, which reflects the international community's confidence in the role played by Qatar, especially on reforming the UN.
In response to a question concerning the UN's view of Qatar as an honest mediator in international conflicts, HE Sheikha Alya said that the country has emerged in the field of mediation over the years and has become known as the honest and successful mediator, pointing out that all the mediation and dispute settlement of conflicts that Qatar handled were considered challenging issues.
She gave an example of the success of the Qatari diplomacy in mediation efforts on the Afghan issue, where Qatar hosted the Afghan Peace Talks and still plays a significant role on this issue.
HE Sheikha Alya also pointed out that Qatar recently hosted the Chadian parties' peace talks, noting that this is one of the most complex issues in Africa.
She added that Qatar is regarded for having the needed objectivity and impartiality required to ensure any successful mediation and conflict settlement framework.
The UN Secretary-General praised on more than one occasion the role played by His Highness the Amir and the efforts exerted by Qatar in this field, and the Security Council for its part had also praised — on more than one occasion — the role of Qatar in mediation efforts, whether in Afghanistan or other files.
Concerning the Iranian nuclear programme issue, she said that HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs played a significant role in several meetings with his counterparts in Iran, the US, and many European countries to raise several issues, including issues related to the Iranian nuclear agreement.
She added that there is always an effort to involve Qatar because of its wisdom and ability to communicate, deliver positive messages, and eventually achieve positive results.
Concerning the current challenges, HE Sheikha Alya said that the General Assembly is the most important international body in the UN and is the main forum where all international issues on the agenda are discussed and that any international challenges that occur have their repercussions on the international agenda, the war in Ukraine has huge repercussions for the international agenda.
She added that several issues will have an impact on the General Assembly's agenda, such as the issue of global food security, which was greatly affected by the war in Ukraine, noting that food security will be one of the most significant issues to be discussed by the General Assembly in addition to many other issues.