Media Center

Geneva - Media & Communication Dept. - June 21

The State of Qatar has renewed its readiness to cooperate with all international partners in order to enhance international cooperation based on the principle of cooperation, partnership and integrity and push all efforts aimed at achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
This came in the State of Qatar's statement delivered by HE Acting Director of Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shaheen Ali Al Kaabi during the part related to humanitarian affairs for the year 2023 within the framework of the general debate of the Economic and Social Council meeting.
HE Al Kaabi highlighted the complex circumstances and the many challenges facing the world at various levels, especially the outbreak of new conflicts, the continuation of long-term humanitarian crises, especially those resulting from foreign occupation, non-compliance with international humanitarian law, the exacerbation of the global food security crisis and the risks of famine, the effects of climate change, the energy crisis, the debt crisis, and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic impacts, which significantly increased the number of those affected and in need of humanitarian assistance to more than 361 million people in 69 countries.
HE explained that the Qatari foreign policy is based on the principle of cooperation and partnership to face common challenges, noting the great support provided by the State of Qatar, whether at the level of bilateral or multilateral cooperation, especially in the framework of strategic partnerships with the UN and other relevant international institutions and organizations and in various development, humanitarian, educational, health, and job opportunities, based on its National Vision 2030, which clearly reflects the importance of the values of solidarity in helping countries, peoples, and societies suffering from humanitarian crises, conflicts, and poverty.
HE pointed out that the contributions of Qatar Fund for Development was USD 708 million over the past year in total humanitarian and development aid, and that this made the State of Qatar among the major donors and supporters of developing and least developed countries. He stressed that the State of Qatar's efforts managed to make a positive difference in the conditions of fragile societies worldwide, through projects that included various humanitarian aspects, whether developmental, health, educational, social or other, as well as the emergency response to crises and disasters.
HE also indicated that the State of Qatar has succeeded, through mediation efforts and good offices, in ending many armed conflicts and achieving peace in accordance with the principles of justice and international law, and that it continues this role in its belief in the necessity of resolving the dispute through constructive dialogue and diplomatic means and settling international disputes by peaceful means.
HE stressed that the State of Qatar attaches great importance to supporting programs and projects that would reduce the impact of climate change, especially on poor and developing countries and island states that are more at risk of rising sea and ocean levels, drought and devastating natural disasters, adding that it also contributes in supporting the promotion of regional and international food security through numerous programs and initiatives.
HE Al Kaabi noted that HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani launched in 2013 the Global Dryland Alliance (GDA) initiative, as a mechanism aimed at bridging gaps in the field of research, strategies and policies to enable countries with drylands to achieve food security, exchange knowledge and best practices, and assist in developing countries' capacities to prevent food crises, within the framework of the State of Qatar's commitment to cooperation and collective action to face common challenges at the international level.
In this regard, HE highlighted that QFFD and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation pledged, through the Nanmo (growth together in Arabic) initiative, to provide up to USD 200 million to support comprehensive and climate-smart agricultural economic development, build resilient food systems and markets that provide nutrition, income, and economic opportunities for small producers, empower women, and improve nutrition in general in African societies.
HE also pointed out that the State of Qatar has provided financial support to many programs and funds concerned with food security and climate change issues, including a USD 500,000 contribution to the Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Program (ASAP) in cooperation with the International Fund for Development, and supporting the Adaptation Fund and the LDC Fund of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in the amount of USD 500,000 each.
HE added that the State of Qatar hosted last March the Fifth UN Conference of the Least Developed Countries, and that it announced a financial contribution of a total of USD 60 million, of which USD10 million is allocated to support the implementation of the activities of the Doha Program of Action (DPOA) for the benefit of the LDCs and USD50 million to support the DPOA's deliverables and build resilience in the LDCs.