Qatar reiterates commitment to joint international efforts aiming to alleviate human suffering

(MENAFN - The Peninsula) Geneva: The State of Qatar reiterated its commitment to continuing humanitarian support in alleviating the suffering of people and to move forward with implementing the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. This came in the statement of the State of Qatar given by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Ali Khalfan Al Mansouri at a United Nations Economic and Social Council on humanitarian affairs for the year 2021. His Excellency stressed that the Qatari foreign policy is based on the principles of cooperation and partnership in facing joint challenges, adding that Qatar National Vision 2030 considers international cooperation an important part of the development process. He stressed that Qatar's efforts are characterized by effectiveness in responding to humanitarian crises and disasters, and in supporting and strengthening partnerships with local, regional and international actors, UN and civil society institutions, to coordinate effective humanitarian action in order to enhance, prepare, prevent and facilitate sustainable solutions for developing countries. His Excellency added that, in addition to responding to urgent humanitarian cases, the State of Qatar worked on assisting countries in strengthening institutional capacities in the health, education and economic sectors to build resilience, enhance systemic preparedness for disasters, and promote comprehensive sustainable development, in line with the UN agenda to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Al Mansouri noted that Qatar committed to a total financing of more than $533 million for many partners in the fields of development and humanitarian assistance, including UN agencies and NGOs. The permanent representative of the State of Qatar expressed the hope of the State of Qatar that the meeting would achieve the desired results and contribute to strengthening work and humanitarian response and alleviating the suffering of millions of needy people around the world. He discussed the content of the report on global humanitarian action for the year 2021, noting that about 235 million people around the world are in need of humanitarian assistance, an increase of 40% compared to last year. He said the increase should constitute a strong impetus for the international community to enhance the approach of joint collective action, and an incentive to countries in order to provide the political will to confront these crises and humanitarian emergencies, and to work to address the root causes of many humanitarian crises in the world, in particular poverty, famine, protracted conflicts, displacement, the effects of climate change, the spread of the Coronavirus among other challenges.  HE Ambassador Ali Khalfan Al Mansouri said that one cause for concern was that the increase on humanitarian crises coincided with an increased tendency to avoid fully adhering to international law and blocking the delivery of humanitarian aid, among other practices. In this regard, His Excellency stressed the importance of conducting independent investigations and ensuring accountability of all those responsible for violations, attacks and crimes against civilians. He also stressed that in light of these current threats posed by the Coronavirus pandemic, it is necessary to listen to the voice of reason and wisdom, put an end to armed conflicts and respond to the call of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General and agree a comprehensive ceasefire and the UN Security Council Resolution No. 2532 (2020). He said that the Coronavirus pandemic is the leading item on the agenda of all international meetings, given the damage it has made to many sectors in all countries, and how it particularly affected the most vulnerable segments of society. He highlighted that the State of Qatar took major steps in helping many nations and international organizations contain the spread of the virus, providing the necessary aid to more than 80 countries and international organization that is worth more than $256 million. He added that Qatar also provided support to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Gavi the Vaccine Alliance (GAVI). It also supported the COVAX initiative which aims to provide equitable vaccine access to more than 92 low to middle-income countries. He added that the State of Qatar learned a number of lessons related to the Coronavirus pandemic, the most prominent of which is the importance of developing the public health sector, the importance of integrating the role of the state, society and the individual in prevention, the necessity of resuming economic activity and the educational process, achieving social solidarity, and appreciating the role of all workers in areas related to confronting (COVID-19), and in other areas concerned with continuing the continuation of basic services. He also said that addressing the climate change challenge should be a responsibility shared globally, highlighting that the State of Qatar provided $100 million in support of the least developed countries and small island developing states to deal with climate change, during the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit. MENAFN25062021000063011010ID1102344729