(MENAFN- The Peninsula) QNA
Doha, Qatar: Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater presented Qatar's initiatives to protect children in armed conflicts during a regional meeting on preventing grave violations against children in armed conflicts.
It was hosted by Doha yesterday via videoconferencing technology. In a speech during the meeting's second session titled“Regional best practices on preventing grave violations against children in armed conflicts,” Al Khater said Qatar is proud of its experience in mediation to resolve armed conflicts by peaceful means in accordance with the principles of justice and international law.
Qatar was able to end many armed conflicts and achieve peace, and it continues this role in other armed conflicts, she added.
Qatar, she said, is also proud that it initiated the submission of a draft resolution to the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly entitled“International Day to Protect Educational Institutions from Attacks.” The draft resolution stipulates that September 9 of each year be considered a global day to protect education from attacks, and urges the international community to alleviate the ordeal of students affected by armed conflict. The draft resolution was adopted unanimously and the day was marked on September 9, 2022 for the third year.
She referred to Qatar's partnerships with regional organisations and many international partners to enhance the protection of children affected by conflict.
In this context, she noted the Qatar Fund for Development's provision of permanent support to the Office of UN Special Representative of Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, in addition to Qatar's support to establish and finance the Analysis and Communication Center of the Office of the Special Representative in Doha in order to support mediation and capacity-building to end and prevent grave violations against children in armed conflict.
Her Excellency also noted many initiatives launched by Qatar to support international peace and security, including but not limited to its hosting in 2021 of approximately 260 Afghan minors during the process of evacuating Afghan citizens to the State of Qatar and then to their final destinations. During the period of their stay in the country, alternative care and psychological and social support were given to them, she said.
In a related context, Al Khater referred to the Education Above All Foundation initiative Educate a Child which provided education to ten million children in developing countries affected by armed conflict, and the Women in Conflict Zones Initiative 2022 launched by the Qatar Fund for Development with the aim of supporting and empowering women and girls in the regions that witness conflicts and wars around the world.
Currently, Qatar chairs the main group of the support platform dedicated to the solutions strategy for Afghan refugees (SSAR), she said, noting that there are many other initiatives and efforts, all of which stem from Qatar's strategic vision in supporting international and regional peace and security and achieving lasting peace and development for all peoples.
MENAFN29052023000063011010ID1106336211
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.