Qatar affirms keenness to provide humanitarian, development aid

Qatar has stressed that in line with its foreign policy based on the principle of co-operation and partnership to face common challenges, and under the guidance of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, it is keen to provide humanitarian and development assistance, co-operation and co-ordination with the UN as an international umbrella.This came in a statement delivered by HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi, at the 43rd Ministerial Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Group of 77 held on the sidelines of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.HE al-Muraikhi said that Qatar announced during the Doha Forum 2018 a multi-year and unearmarked support of core resources to fund a number of UN entities of $500mn, which will benefit the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in addition to a multi-year contribution of $20m has been allocated to support UNDP accelerator labs network to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.The minister pointed out that during the Climate Action Summit held on September 23, His Highness the Amir announced Qatar’s contribution of $100mn to support small island developing states and least developed countries to address climate change and environmental challenges.HE al-Muraikhi noted that in 2021, Qatar will host the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).During the 73rd session of the General Assembly, Qatar, along with New Zealand, had facilitated open consultations on the organisational arrangements for the high-level meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, the Minister added.He reiterated Qatar’s affirmation of the principle of the permanent sovereignty of peoples under foreign occupation over its natural resources, the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and the population of the occupied Syrian Golan, and the right to self-determination, so as to enjoy stability, prosperity and development as the inherent right of all peoples.HE al-Muraikhi pointed out that Qatar is always keen to abide by the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, which emphasises respect for the national sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs. He pointed out that Qatar will not hesitate to support the just causes of the countries of the Group, and therefore categorically reject attempts to disrupt its global active role under false pretenses, which are exposed to the international community.The minister stressed that the ongoing unjust blockade against Qatar contradicts the objectives and principles of the Group, also, it has grave consequences, undermines international efforts to establish international security, and creates precedents that violate the sovereignty of states and international norms.HE al-Muraikhi expressed pride in the great achievements of the Group of 77 in promoting the interests of developing countries. He reiterated Qatar’s support for the Group’s efforts to enhance co-operation and co-ordination in the interest of all of the members. Qatar’s hosting of the Second South Summit in 2005 confirms its orientation to support joint collective efforts under the umbrella of the Group of 77, the minister said, adding that Qatar looks forward to participating actively in the Third South Summit in Uganda.