(MENAFN- The Peninsula) QNA
Doha, Qatar: Qatar has affirmed its developmental and humanitarian assistance efforts are rooted in its Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030, noting it aligns with its global peace, security and development commitments, guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development principles.
This came in a speech by Director of the International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H E Ambassador Shaheen Ali Al Kaabi, during the discussion of a round table, organised by Qatar on re-defining partnerships between the public and private sectors and the 17th goal of sustainable development in humanitarian response.
The roundtable was organised in partnership with the office of Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General H E Dr. Ahmed Al Muraikhi. It was held on the sidelines of a high-level political forum, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, with the participation of Maria Francesca Spatoleso, who is the Assistant UN Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
Al Kaabi said that Qatar was pleased to host the discussion, adding that it was highly important given its focus on the private sector's effective participation in responding to emergency. He affirmed that Qatar looks forward to working closely with multilateral agencies and the private sector to face global challenges, enhance international cooperation, respond to humanitarian crises, contribute to achieving the goals of sustainable development by exploiting these partnerships to provide customised aid, financial assistance, and strategic support for emergency programs for the benefit of local communities around the world.
He pointed out that Qatar has been continuously providing humanitarian and development assistance at the bilateral and multilateral levels, through the United Nations all over the world, especially to developing countries facing crises and natural disasters, explaining that this support comes through the Department of International Development at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Qatar Fund for Development.
In this regard, he said Qatar announced in 2018 support for the core resources of the United Nations with a total amount of $500m, which in itself is clear evidence of its commitment to multilateralism and global solidarity.
The long-standing partnership of Qatar with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs continues to play a key role in strengthening preparedness and emergency response efforts, finding solutions to humanitarian and relief crises, and making large financial contributions to the humanitarian response funds of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, including the Central Emergency Response Fund and the Yemen Humanitarian Fund.
He also pointed out that Qatar has become a member of the Advisory Board of the Central Emergency Response Fund, thanks to the large humanitarian contributions it has made, the total of which has so far reached nearly $20m.
The Director of the International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised the partnership between the Qatar Fund for Development and the Education Above All Foundation, which aims to improve education for millions of children and youth, and their access to it in countries affected by crises, as more than 70 countries have benefited from the contributions of Qatar, which invested investments exceeding one billion dollars, which included building schools, universities and kindergartens, supporting teachers, publishing curricula materials and books, and providing scholarships to students from developing countries.
He stressed that these efforts were accomplished through strong cooperation with United Nations agencies, national and international organizations, and with private sector entities.