New York – Information Office - October 12
The State of Qatar stressed that the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of protecting the right to education, which is a fundamental pillar in efforts to recover from the crisis and achieve sustainable development on a wide scale.
This came in the statement of the State of Qatar delivered by member of the State of Qatar's delegation participating in the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Sheikh Sultan bin Khalid Al-Thani, before the Second Committee on Item (20) on sustainable development.
Sheikh Sultan said that the delegation of the State of Qatar supports the statement of the Group of 77 and China, adding that the State of Qatar continues its development path at a steady pace, as it made remarkable achievements and progress in this field.
He stressed that development is a major priority of Qatar National Vision 2030, and that the State of Qatar continues to take ambitious measures at the national level to meet the requirements for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its ambitious goals, noting the State's presentation of voluntary national review this year, which has given an example of the progress made in implementing the sustainable development goals.
The issue of quality, equitable and inclusive education has always taken a highly significant position in the policy of the State of Qatar, which has established many institutions and initiatives at the national and international levels in this regard, he noted, adding that Qatar's pioneering efforts in the field of promoting and protecting the right to education - especially in emergency situations, have been praised at the global level, as it led international efforts to adopt General Assembly Resolution 74/275, which designated Sept. 9 as the International Day for the Protection of Education from Attack.
HE expressed pleasure to say that, for the second year in a row, this day was commemorated last September, in a high-level event in the presence of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of the Education Above All Foundation and an advocate for sustainable development goals, given that it is the driving force towards the adoption of the resolution.
The State of Qatar continues to work closely with many partners at the international level, including the bodies and entities of the United Nations, and it is considered an essential partner in supporting efforts to accelerate the achievement of the sustainable development goals, he said.
He also highlighted the efforts that had a positive impact on responding to challenges and accelerating the wheel of comprehensive and sustainable growth, including the pioneering efforts of the State of Qatar and the provision of flexible and predictable support through bilateral and multilateral agreements, as well as the implementation of development projects and the provision of urgent relief assistance to confront disasters.
He also pointed out that in 2020, the total funding provided by Qatar Fund for Development amounted to USD 533 million, through allocating funding to many partners in the field of development and humanitarian aid.
The State of Qatar has also allocated a multi-year contribution totaling USD 20 million to support the United Nations Development Program's Network of Accelerators for Development Impact Laboratories, he said, adding that it has also provided support to mitigate the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic through contributions that exceeded USD 140 million to support the efforts of many countries and organizations.
Sheikh Sultan bin Khalid Al-Thani expressed Qatar's anticipation to host the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, which will be held in Doha next January, noting Qatar's confidence that it will be pivotal to support the needs and priorities of these countries, and to recover from the pandemic and its multifaceted effects. In this context, he said that the State of Qatar is looking forward to the countries' participation in the conference at the highest level possible.
Sheikh Sultan Al-Thani expressed Qatar's pride in hosting the World Cup 2022 and using a range of environmentally friendly innovations; reducing the capacity of some stadiums and granting them to football development projects around the world, in addition to the important enabling factor it provides to stimulate development in its comprehensive sense and the values it entails to promote tolerance and understanding among peoples and civilizations.