New York / Information Office / February 09
The State of Qatar has pledged that the Doha Plan of Action will be a starting point for transforming the lives of millions of people living in the most vulnerable countries, and putting the least developed countries on the path towards sustainable and comprehensive development.
This came in a statement made by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani during the Organisational Session of the Preparatory Committee for the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries, which was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Her Excellency stressed that the Committee's efforts constitute a guarantee for the success of the preparatory process for the Conference, expressing the State of Qatar's appreciation for the Member States for electing it as a member of the Bureau of Preparatory Committee, as the host country of the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries.
She added that the State of Qatar is proud to host the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries from 23-27 January 2022. She reiterated that the State of Qatar hosting the Conference comes in line with its belief that achieving the ambitious aspirations of the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan will not be possible without paying special attention to the least developed countries.
Her Excellency highlighted the steps that the State of Qatar took to prepare for the Fifth Conference despite the unprecedented circumstances and challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic. She said that the preparations of the Conference are proceeding in an efficient and effective manner, including planning visits, and continuous efforts are being made to complete all the various aspects related to the Conference, noting in this context the participation of HE the Secretary-General of the United Nations Antnio Guterres in the Conference and his full support for it.
She also drew attention to the State of Qatar's keenness to prepare and provide all the requirements that help in facilitating the success of the Fifth UN Conference, explaining that Qatar National Convention Center will host the Conference, as it is one of the largest conference centers in the Middle East and the most technologically advanced. It also has a state-of-the-art media presentation and production facilities and is staffed by a team of event and conference management professionals.
In light of the emerging challenges and the changing global landscape, and the additional burden the coronavirus pandemic placed on the shoulders of the least developed countries, HE expressed the State of Qatar's full confidence that the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries will constitute a different and transformative event to chart a course that responds to the unprecedented challenges and strengthen the capacity of the least developed countries to meet these challenges.
She referred to the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011-2020 in addressing the structural challenges facing the least developed countries, expressing the aspiration of the State of Qatar for the new programme for the next decade to build on the achievements that have been made and to complete the goals that are still in progress. She added that Doha Plan of Action will be the first to address the challenges caused by the Coronavirus pandemic and its repercussions on the least developed countries, in addition to the recovery from the pandemic and its multifaceted effects.
In the conclusion of her statement, HE Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani affirmed that the State of Qatar pledges that the Doha Plan of Action will be a starting point for transforming the lives of millions of people living in the most vulnerable countries, and it will put the least developed countries on the path towards sustainable and inclusive development.