Minister Outlines in New York Qatar's Efforts in Reducing Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

Dr Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari

HE Minister of Public Health Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari affirmed that the State of Qatar, thanks to the wise leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, has been able to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals and society because of the government's balanced and comprehensive approach and strong healthcare system. Qatar maintained one of the lowest mortality rates in the world and contributed to the global scientific understanding of COVID-19 infection and vaccination.

This was stated in the speech of the State of Qatar delivered by Her Excellency at the ministerial meetings of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development on the High-Level Declaration to accelerate recovery from (COVID-19), and the full implementation of the 2023 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels, which is being held under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council from July 17 to 19 in New York, where HE the Minister of Public Health led the delegation of Qatar participating at the meetings.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has been a national challenge, and at the same time an opportunity to test our plans, the resilience of our systems and our preparedness to be better positioned for any future public health emergency. Our country continued to progress towards achieving its National Vision 2030 and, during the pandemic, successfully hosted many global events including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 . We are delighted that we have many lessons to share with the world as well as lessons learned," HE the Minister of Public Health stated.

HE Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari pointed out that within the framework of the essential position of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in development efforts, the State of Qatar is keen to take ambitious measures at the national level to meet the requirements of implementing this plan, and many goals and progress have been achieved in the pioneering march of the State of Qatar to achieve development aspirations.

"We are pleased that the State of Qatar and Ireland have been given the honor of leading the intergovernmental negotiation process on the political declaration to be adopted by the 2023 Sustainable Development Goals Summit," Her Excellency added, noting that this declaration will form a solid foundation for accelerating the implementation of commitments and unfinished business.

Her Excellency stressed the importance of this forum given the urgent need more than ever to intensify efforts, mobilize political will and strengthen multilateral cooperation to accelerate recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic and strengthen our commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Her Excellency explained that the State of Qatar, aware of the importance of multilateral cooperation, did not hesitate to harness all efforts to provide support to mitigate the repercussions of the (COVID-19), especially on the most vulnerable peoples and communities, and provided humanitarian assistance with various resources and urgent medical assistance to many countries of the world. The State of Qatar expanded the scope of its response and the Qatar Fund for Development provided more than $140 million for the benefit of multilateral health care institutions and programs.

HE the Minister of Public Health stressed that the State of Qatar was honored to host the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries last March, in which HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani announced a financial contribution of a total of $60 million to support the activities of the Doha Work Program for the Least Developed Countries, based on the State of Qatar's firm commitment to support and enhance the efforts of these countries in the development process.

The ministerial meetings of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development on the High-Level Declaration to Accelerate Recovery from COVID-19 and the full implementation of the 2023 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels will review several important themes, most notably, "Building momentum towards the SDG Summit", and effective, comprehensive and transformative measures to address the impacts of the pandemic and ongoing crises on the SDGs while advancing the implementation of the 2030 Agenda at all levels.

The Forum also dedicates sessions to the presentation of voluntary national reviews to facilitate the exchange of experiences including successes, challenges and lessons learned with a view to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

It is noteworthy that the President of the United Nations General Assembly appointed HE the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani and HE the Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations to facilitate and lead consultations on the High-Level Political Declaration to accelerate recovery from COVID-19, and the full implementation of the 2023 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Forum is a major preparatory event for the Sustainable Development Goals Summit to be held next September in New York under the auspices of the United Nations General Assembly and contributes to setting substantive priorities and generating political momentum for the summit.

(QNA)