Doha - Information Office - December 12

The State of Qatar participated in the 13th Bali Democracy Forum, which was held under the theme: "Democracy and the COVID-19 Pandemic".

The State of Qatar was represented at the meeting by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Soltan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, which was held via video conference technology.

In the State of Qatar's speech to the meeting, His Excellency said that the theme of this forum reflects the grave challenges that the world faces, as a result of the ongoing repercussions of the pandemic, and the rapid changes in this regard, which calls for intensifying cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral levels to limit the negative effects of this pandemic.

His Excellency referred to the appeal of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, to the international community for joint action to ensure justice in providing the necessary medicines and medical equipment to all countries, especially in poor regions of the world.

His Excellency stressed that facing the Coronavirus pandemic proved the importance of the health sector as the main pillar on which the rest of the economic, social, educational and other sectors are based.

His Excellency added that Qatar's health system has proven its importance in the face of the pandemic, as it has recorded one of the lowest death rates in the world, as a result of the efforts made by the state and concerted efforts at all levels, and it has proven the effectiveness of Qatar's long-term health policy and investment in developing the health system with all its components, such as health centers, hospitals, as well as the medical personnel.

His Excellency also indicated that the State of Qatar has determined the centrality of the public health sector in building sustainable development and pushing forward growth in various sectors of the state, as it has provided a world-class health care system, available to all residents, to form a basic pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030, as Qatar is considered first in healthcare in the Gulf region.

His Excellency stressed that the State of Qatar believes in the importance of strong teamwork and careful coordination to move forward and overcome this crisis, stressing that the State of Qatar has strengthened its ability to quickly respond to face the dangerous repercussions of the crisis.

In this regard, His Excellency indicated that the State of Qatar has made financial contributions in the amount of USD 140 million to multilateral health care institutions that work in developing vaccines, to ensure the efficiency of health care, especially in the least developed countries, and an amount of USD 20 million, in support of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization "Jaffe", in addition to providing assistance to more than 80 countries to confront this pandemic, and it is also working with the United Nations Development Program in the Innovation Lab, which includes more than 47 countries, to devise solutions to address the negative consequences of the Coronavirus pandemic, which includes business, technological and medical solutions for developing and emerging countries.

His Excellency reiterated the State of Qatar's continued support for international institutions to develop the health sector to preserve the lives and stability of individuals.

His Excellency said that the State of Qatar, and in light of these exceptional circumstances, is heading to hold the first legislative elections for the Shura Council, after HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani announced the date for its establishment in Oct. 2021, to be the culmination of a new reform process and the development of the legislative process with wider participation of citizens, as an important step to strengthen the traditions of the Qatari Shura under the national constitution promulgated in 2004.

His Excellency explained that the Coronavirus pandemic has inflicted great damage on all countries of the world in various vital sectors, whether health, economic and social, and has paralyzed the movement of individuals and funds around the world, in addition to the great challenges it imposed on the functioning of political institutions and the mechanisms of democracy work around the world, which prompted the world to develop unconventional methods for the continued functioning of institutions, and the creation of an appropriate environment for the protection of political rights, civil liberties and human rights.

His Excellency expressed his thanks and appreciation to HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the friendly Republic of Indonesia Retno Marsudi, for the well-prepared and well-organized forum in its thirteenth edition, which has turned into a firm tradition that confirms our belief in the values represented by democracy, and that it is a pattern that reflects the core aspirations of peoples around the world.

His Excellency said in conclusion, that he would like to emphasize that the principles of democratic work oblige everyone to respect the will of the people and the sovereignty of states, wishing that this meeting will achieve its desired goals.