Qatar participates in panel discussion on protection of women and girls' rights in Afghanistan and the region

The State of Qatar participated in a panel discussion on the protection of the Afghan people, especially women and girls in Afghanistan and the region, held on the side-lines of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, currently underway in New York.

The state of Qatar was represented at the session by HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraiki.

In a speech he gave during the discussion, held at the premises of Permanent Mission of Austria to the United Nations, HE Al Muraiki expressed pleasure over his participation in the high-level discussion.

He said the State of Qatar is in full solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, and supports their efforts and legitimate demands to achieve stability, security, peace and development. He added that the State of Qatar believes that comprehensive and sustainable peace is the solution that would halt the imminent humanitarian crisis, and preserve the gains accomplished by the Afghan people over the past decades. His Excellency added that the Afghan people deserve support, and that humanitarian assistance should be independent of political calculations.

HE Al Muraiki said that Qatar's financial contributions and aid to reach $50 million, noting that the State of Qatar has sent 188 tons of food and medical aid to Kabul recently. He said that Qatar's support of the United Nations in its distribution of vital humanitarian aid and medical supplies required to meet the urgent health needs throughout Afghanistan.

He pointed out that the State of Qatar supported the evacuation of more than 50,000 people from Kabul to Qatar, adding that Qatar also provided them with temporary housing, meals and health care including mental healthcare, COVID-19 vaccines as well as activities for families and children.

HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said that civil society in the State of Qatar lived up to the development noting that Qatar Red Crescent, Qatar Charity and Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, among others, provided significant humanitarian relief programmes.

He said that the State of Qatar has evacuated Afghan women at risk as well as female Afghan students who can now pursue their education without interruption, highlighting that his reflects the State of Qatar's deep commitment to ensuring access to education for all.

Concluding, HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs reiterated that the State of Qatar would spare no effort to support the people of Afghanistan through close cooperation and coordination with its Afghan and international partners, and with the United Nations.