Qatar Affirms Commitment to Actively Contribute to Achieve Comprehensive, Sustainable Development

HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani

The State of Qatar has reiterated its commitment to actively contributing to international efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development, pointing out that it has not failed to provide support to the efforts of many countries and international organizations to confront the global health crisis, stressing its keenness to take the necessary measures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic within a perspective that respects and promotes the human rights of citizens and residents of the State of Qatar alike.

This came in a statement made by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani at the beginning of the general discussions of the Third Committee of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The statement stated that the State of Qatar was keen to take the necessary measures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, within a perspective that respects and promotes the human rights of citizens and residents in the State of Qatar alike, focusing on the groups most affected by the pandemic and its consequences, including the elderly, women, children, and persons with disabilities.

The statement of the State of Qatar singled out the category of migrant workers, as the necessary precautions were taken to protect them by providing vaccines, occupational safety and health conditions, and establishing control and accountability systems for employers.

Also, it pointed out that the State of Qatar is now ranked second in the world in terms of the percentage of the population that has received one dose of COVID-19 vaccinations and fifth in the world in terms of the proportion of the population that has been fully vaccinated.

The statement of the State of Qatar noted its response, which was characterized by its observance of the special needs of women, to protect them and ensure their effective and safe participation in the response efforts, referring to the decision of the part-time system in government institutions recently approved by the Council of Ministers, which would empower working women by providing more flexibility in working to achieve a balance between work and family responsibilities.

The statement pointed out the State of Qatar's emphasis on the importance of supporting the draft resolution submitted under the item of social development on "preparations for the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family in 2024", about which the State of Qatar is facilitating consultations on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

The statement of the State of Qatar also stressed the importance of implementing the General Assembly resolution 75/275 submitted by the State of Qatar, entitled "International Day of Women Judges", expressing the State of Qatar's aspiration to revive the first International Day of Women Judges on March 10, 2022, which would contribute to promoting the full participation of women on an equal basis with men at all levels of the judiciary.

On this occasion, the statement called on member states to support the draft resolution submitted by the State of Qatar, Brazil and Spain under the item of social development on "dealing with the challenges faced by people with rare diseases and their families."

The statement noted that the State of Qatar is proud that it has not failed to provide support for the efforts of many countries and international organizations to confront the global health crisis, noting that the support of the State of Qatar provided in 2020, exceeded the amount of USD140 million, which was allocated to contribute to strengthening capacities to respond to the pandemic and its effects, find and develop vaccines and ensure equitable access to them, especially in countries that are in dire need of assistance.

The statement expressed the State of Qatar's aspiration to open soon the UN House in Doha, which will house the offices of many UN bodies and make it the capital of international multilateral action in the region, including a UNICEF office, and a center for analysis and communication of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.

Furthermore, it renewed the commitment of the State of Qatar to provide support to the United Nations Center for Training and Documentation in the Field of Human Rights for Southwest Asia and the Arab Region established by General Assembly Resolution No. 60/153 of December 16, 2005, calling on member states to support the draft resolution on the center submitted to the Committee.

In conclusion, the statement affirmed the commitment of the State of Qatar to actively contribute to international efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development and to protect and promote human rights for all without leaving anyone behind.