Qatar Calls for International Community to Unite to Support Least Developed Countries

Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani

The State of Qatar has called for the international community to unite to support the least developed countries in implementing the Doha work program, expressing its aspiration that the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, the second part of which will be held in Doha during the period March,5 to 9, 2023, will be a transformative event which will contribute to bring about the desired change in the lives of millions of peoples in the least developed countries, and supporting their endeavors to achieve the desired development gains.

This came in the State of Qatar's statement delivered by the Third Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani, before the Second Committee on Economic and Financial Affairs of the United Nations General Assembly, on the two items "Eradication of Poverty and Other Development Issues" and "Agricultural development, food security and nutrition".

He explained that the Doha Work Program for the Least Developed Countries did not neglect to pay special attention to the issue of poverty eradication, pointing out that one of the main focus areas of the work is investment in the development of the societies of the least developed countries, poverty eradication, and capacity building in order to leave no one behind.

In this context, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani expressed his pleasure at the election of the State of Qatar as Chairman of the Executive Council of the Islamic Organization for Food Security for a period of three years.

He mentioned that Qatar Fund for Development has made a financial contribution totaling $90 million to the World Food Program to meet critical food security needs in Yemen.

He also noted the program contribution of US$10 million to support critical food security needs.

He noted the strategic partnership between the Qatar Fund for Development and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, through the "Numo" initiative, pledging up to $200 million for agricultural projects, facing the effects of climate change, and economic development aimed at supporting smallholder farmers in dry lands in the African continent, he explained that this partnership aims to strengthen the economies of sub-Saharan African countries, and in a number of areas, including agriculture, as a main source of food, jobs and income.

He pointed out that Qatar Fund for Development provided support to least developed countries, small island developing states and other countries vulnerable to climate change, to improve their food security and develop sustainable solutions to enhance their resilience.

He referred to the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF) established by Qatar Fund for Development, along with the Islamic Development Bank and other donors, explaining that it focused on three main sectors of agriculture, health, and basic infrastructure, and noted that the fund received a contribution of $50 million from Qatar Fund for Development.

He reiterated that the State of Qatar will always work within the constants of solidarity and multilateral action, and will remain an active partner to confront common challenges.

(QNA)