HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi, said that Doha Programme of Work and Doha Political Declaration constitute an important legacy for Qatar and the international community to co-operate in the field of development, as part of the humanitarian duty towards the people of the least developed countries.
He stressed, during his presidency of the closing session of the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), which was held in Doha from March 5-9, that the Doha Programme of Work embodied, within the framework of six broad thematic areas, the main elements of the sustainable development plan for the year 2030, in addition, he discussed the new and emerging challenges posed by the current global landscape and the opportunities it offers.
HE al-Muraikhi explained that this document represents an important tool for the international community through which the global challenges faced by the least developed countries are addressed, and that it will generate a new impetus for achieving fair, sustainable and inclusive economic development for all in the least developed countries. He expressed Qatar’s aspiration for member states, parliaments, civil society, the private sector, academics and youth to play an effective role in working to implement the Doha Work Programme and achieve the desired results in accordance with the commitments made during the past five days. HE al-Muraikhi stressed that these goals should not remain on paper, but must be translated into actions and tangible results, through practical measures to bring about the desired transformation in the lives of the people of the least developed countries, pointing to the announcement of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, in his opening speech to the conference, regarding Qatar’s contribution of $60mn, of which $10mn has been allocated to support the implementation of the activities of the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries, and $50mn to support the outcomes of the Doha Programme of Action and build adaptation capacities in least developed countries.
HE al-Muraikhi stressed that Qatar will not only provide financial contributions to follow up and monitor the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action, but will also seek to include issues related to the least developed countries at the top of the international community’s priorities and contribute to efforts to find solutions to the urgent problems afflicting the least developed countries. He added that while Qatar pledges to be at the forefront of countries working to implement the Doha Program of Action, and because no country can act alone, we urge development partners to follow the example of Qatar and take the initiative to support the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action.
He called on the participants in the conference to pledge in Doha to harness all possible means to transform the capabilities of the least developed countries into effective tools to achieve prosperity and improve the conditions of 1bn and 200mn people around the world, until the world meets again after 10 years, to work on turning the hopes represented by the Doha Programme of Action into reality, by working together to enable this program and the opportunity it represents for hope and change.
HE al-Muraikhi pointed out that based on the firm policy of Qatar and its belief in work based on the principle of partnership and co-operation with the international community, its preparations for the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries have started since March 2019, when Qatar submitted a request to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, which includes its full readiness to host the conference.
He stated that Qatar harnessed all its capabilities in the framework of preparing for the conference, and was keen to hold many regional and thematic meetings, and to actively participate in all activities that culminated in the adoption of the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2022-2031.
He continued: “We stand today at the end of five days of rich deliberations and fruitful activities, including plenary sessions, round tables, and multiple side meetings, which highlighted the convergence and consensus on how to address the various challenges facing the least developed countries”.
HE Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi
