Qatar has affirmed that Qatar National Vision 2030 is a solid framework for achieving sustainable development at the national level, noting that it has integrated the goals and objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into sections of the National Development Strategy (2018-2022).
This came in a statement delivered by HE Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani in the general discussion of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development ‘Accelerated Action and Transformative Pathways: Realizing the Decade of Action and Delivery for Sustainable Development’, which was held from July 7-16.
Ambassador Sheikha Alya indicated that, in the context of efforts to fulfil the State’s obligations to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Qatar, during the sessions of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, has submitted voluntary national reviews that gave a transparent picture of the progress made by the country in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals discussed.
Qatar continues with confident and urgent steps in its development process and has made great achievements in the development field. Qatar’s investment in science, technology and innovation has also enabled the State to take urgent and effective measures to contain (Covid-19) pandemic and mitigating its effects, the ambassador added.
She noted the successful experience of Qatar at the national level, which, since the beginning of the pandemic, has enabled distance learning quickly and without any interruption, and activate the electronic platforms for that, taking into account the comprehensiveness of education for all as one of the enabling elements of sustainable development.
She also stressed that, in line with the pioneering and acclaimed role of Qatar at the international level to ensure the provision of quality education services, especially in areas with conflict, it will continue to work with international partners to ensure continued education in areas affected by this pandemic. Recognising the importance of multilateral action, Qatar’s efforts were not only limited to the national level, as it continued its efforts as an active partner at the international level, she said, adding that in the context of addressing the Covid-19 pandemic, Qatar provided $10mn to the World Health Organization, in addition to a total contribution of $20mn to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization.
It also provided financial and medical equipment to enhance the capacity of many affected countries of the Covid-19 pandemic.
She explained that within the framework of the risks posed by climate change as one of the biggest challenges that undermine the progress made in the field of sustainable development, Qatar played a leading role in the Climate Action Summit held on 23 September 2019, as His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani announced that Qatar will contribute $100mn for the support of small developing island states and the least developed states to help them deal with the climate change.
In 2018, Qatar announced multi-year and non-earmarked support for core resources of the UN organisations by $500mn, which will benefit the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As part of this support, Qatar has been proactive in allocating a multi-year contribution totalling $20mn to support the Network of Accelerated Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations Development Program, and these networks are currently providing innovative measures and solutions to the current challenges arising from the pandemic.
Ambassador Sheikha Alya stressed that moving forward in achieving the joint endeavour to ensure that no one is left behind, and achieving the ambitious aspirations of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, will not be possible without paying special attention to the priorities and needs of developing countries and the least developed countries in particular.
Qatar is fully committed to playing its role in addressing the unique challenges facing the least developed countries, and will host the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Doha from January 23-27, 2022, after it was scheduled to be held in 2021 and was postponed due to the current exceptional circumstances.
She expressed her confidence that this conference will be an important opportunity to bring about a transformational change in the lives of those who live in the most vulnerable countries in the world, because of the positive momentum and important contribution it will provide to promoting the sustainable development of the least developed countries.
The outcome document of the conference will be an important opportunity to devote a new global compact in order to achieve the overall goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of leaving no one behind.