Doha, Media & Communication Dept., March 07

Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammad Al Ansari stressed the need to implement the Doha Program of Action (2022-2031) as it represents a practical guide for cooperation and tackling development problem in the least developed countries.
In the weekly briefing organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Al Ansari pointed to the importance of the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) with its various tracks with its very important sessions in the fields of the private sector, South-South cooperation and the large number of agreements signed on its sidelines, noting that it is attended by more than 6,000 participants, including heads of state and government, regional and international organizations, ministers, officials and experts from different countries of the world.
Regarding Qatari aid to those affected by the earthquake that struck northern Syria and southern Turkiye that claimed the lives of more than 50,000 people and affected more than 10 million people, the Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Qataris contributions began from the first day of the disaster and urgent response was taken at several levels. Qatar Fund for Development assistance focused on providing 2,500 port cabins distributed between Turkiye and northern Syria, as well as 3,500 fully equipped family tents, in addition to medicines, food commodities, and kitchens that provide ready-made meals.
In search and rescue operations, the Fund provided basic support and resources to the White Helmets, as well as field operations with an amount of QR 17.8 million, bringing the total contributions of the Fund to date to more than QR 112.7 million, he said. As for charities, Qatar Charity was among the first responders through its field offices as its assistance was provided inside Syria and Turkiye in the areas of shelter, social protection, sanitation, water and others with an amount of QR 61.7 million. More than 1.3 million affected people in Syria and 350 thousand in Turkiye have benefited from these funds, he said.
Dr. Al Ansari added that the Qatar Red Crescent Society provided medical and relief aid worth QR 16.6 million benefiting 252 thousand affected people, bringing the total Qatari aid to QR 247.2 million, in addition to other contributions and assistance provided by the Lekhwiya force and the Ministry of Public Health.
On Qatar's position regarding the decisions of the Afghan caretaker government, which negatively affect the Afghan women and girls' enjoyment of their rights, especially the suspension of their study in secondary schools and universities and the prohibition of their work in non-governmental organizations, the Official Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the State of Qatar condemns these measures and called on the Afghan caretaker government to implement its obligations related to human rights and provide the right to education for all, including women and children, as well as the right of women to work, indicating that contacts and efforts are continuing between Qatari officials and the government there to provide security and stability and guarantee the rights of the Afghan people through all diplomatic channels.
He added that Qatar has done everything that can be done and is continuing to do so at the diplomatic, political and humanitarian levels, and is communicating with the international community and all concerned parties out of its keenness to find diplomatic and political solutions and to avoid an exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis there, hoping that the Afghan file will witness positive developments in the near future.
Regarding the visit of HH National Security Adviser in the sisterly United Arab Emirates Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Doha, Dr. Al Ansari explained that it came within the framework of joint action between the two countries and for cooperation in a number of regional files, noting that this visit is not the first. There are many visits between officials of the two countries, and there are continuous meetings to strengthen relations at the bilateral level and in common regional issues, he said.
Official Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed Al Ansari reviewed the activities of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani during this week, and his speech at the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries and his opening of the United Nations House in the Lusail region and His Excellency's speech at this event, in addition to his meetings with many officials participating in the conference. He also reviewed the meetings of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials with many heads of state and government, ministers and officials inside and outside the State of Qatar, all of which come within the framework of strengthening cooperation between Qatar and these countries and establishing peace and security in Afghanistan, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, Sudan and others.