(MENAFN- The Peninsula) QNA
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani chaired the opening session of the first part of the Fifth United Nations conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) which was held in New York, yesterday.
In a speech before the opening session, His Excellency expressed his gratitude for electing the State of Qatar as president of the LDC5, noting that the country is looking forward to hosting the second part of the conference in Doha from March 5 to 9 in 2023.
His Excellency conveyed the greetings of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to the participants of the conference, as well as the best wishes for the success of the conference.
He also particularly welcomed the participation of the President of the Republic of Malawi H E Lazarus Chakwera, chair of the LDC Group, expressing Qatar's appreciation for his dedicated efforts to draw the attention of the international community to the challenges facing the least developed countries.
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The Foreign Minister indicated that Qatar took the initiative to host the LDC5 under the guidance of H H the Amir and in line with its policy, which is based on, partnership with the international community, and in line with its commitment and keenness to support the issues of the least developed countries, adding that Qatar is confident that this conference will contribute to meeting the needs and priorities of these countries, and support their march towards achieving development in them for the next ten years.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs said that despite the exceptional circumstances of the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic that prevented the conference from being held on time, the formula adopted by the General Assembly to hold the conference in two parts will provide an opportunity to move forward in adopting the Doha Work Program for the Least Developed Countries and start implementing it.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani explained that Qatar is still equally looking forward to continuing its tireless efforts in the coming period towards convening the second part of the conference in Doha, and will remain committed to working in the same spirit to maintain the momentum it has achieved and cooperate with all partners to ensure the success of the conference and its outcomes.
He considered that this period which is full of new and worrying changes exacerbated existing challenges, and still threatens to undermine years of progress and important development gains, noting that the lack of equitable access to vaccines is an obstacle to efforts to recover from the pandemic, which calls for strengthening international cooperation to support the recovery of the least developed countries, and to achieve sustainable and inclusive development.
The Foreign Minister indicated that Qatar has contributed more than $140m, based on its pioneering role in humanitarian work and in support of international efforts to combat the pandemic, and has signed a basic contribution agreement with the World Health Organization worth $10m to support the organization's work program and the initiative to accelerate the availability of tools to combat the COVID-19 in the most vulnerable countries.
His Excellency added that the State of Qatar, through the Qatar Fund for Development contributed to providing assistance, during the pandemic, to 92 countries, believing in the importance of global solidarity to overcome the effects of the pandemic, especially on the least developed countries.
His Excellency considered that the Doha Work Program for the Least Developed Countries will constitute an important step for the success of the second part of the conference, which will be held in Doha, and will be the first work program to address the COVID-19 repercussions in the least developed countries and give them the highest priority. In this regard, His Excellency said that Qatar is confident that the Doha Work Program will receive widespread attention at the global level, and will serve as a road map and a solid basis for raising the level of ambition and leaving no one behind, because of the important tools and measures it contains to cause change, and what it reflects of a commitment by all partners to provide more resources and realize the full potential of science, technology and innovation, to inclusive development.
In his speech, His Excellency also pointed out that being able to translate all of the long-term promises and commitments into practical measures requires the cooperation of all partners, stressing that the State of Qatar will continue its policy, which is based on the spirit of cooperation and initiative, adding that Qatar has the ability and opportunity to make this conference an important turning point in responding to the aspirations of the least developed countries through everyone's cooperation.
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