Doha: The State of Qatar participated yesterday in the annual meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), under the theme of Partnering for accelerated implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action and achieving sustainable development in LLDCs, which was held remotely.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, headed the delegation of the State of Qatar to the meeting.
His Excellency expressed his happiness to participate in the meeting, in his speech during the meeting, and appreciated the continuous efforts made by the Republic of Kazakhstan, in its capacity as Chairman of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and the invitation to this meeting, which is held under unprecedented circumstances under the weight of a global epidemic whose repercussions continue to affect all aspects of life. He commended the important role played by the office the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.
Al Muraikhi stressed that responding to the special needs of landlocked developing countries and development challenges requires strengthening cooperation to support the efforts made by these countries in pursuing and implementing the sustainable development goals, and the Vienna Program of Action for the benefit for Landlocked Developing Countries which defines their aspirations and priorities, thus contributing to finding sustainable solutions and accelerating development.
He added that in line with the principles and commitment of the State of Qatar to the importance of partnership and solidarity, and based on its conviction that achieving the ambitious aspirations of the 2030 sustainable development plan will not be possible without giving special attention to the least developed countries. He added that the State of Qatar is pleased that it will host the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in March.
He also said that, in light of the current challenges and exceptional circumstances, Qatar was hopeful that the conference will be an important opportunity to make a transformative change in the lives of those residing in the most vulnerable countries in the world, and we are fully confident that it will be a milestone for the positive momentum and important contribution in promoting sustainable development for the least developed countries. His Excellency stressed that the State of Qatar will spare no effort to ensure the success of this conference.
The State of Qatar has never hesitated to continue its efforts as an active partner at the international level, H E Al Muraikhi stressed. He noted that the State of Qatar assumed an initiative and pioneering role in the Climate Action Summit that was held in September 2019, where Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, announced the State of Qatar's contribution of $100 million to support small island developing states and least developed countries to deal with climate change, H E pointed out.
Moreover, Al Muraikhi said that to ensure that this pledge is translated on the ground, the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) is working to develop a mechanism through a 10-year strategy aimed at supporting these countries in achieving the ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement and their efforts in the field of sustainable development.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said that the State of Qatar enjoys a constructive and positive relationship with landlocked developing countries, adding that out of Qatar's belief in the importance of meaningful partnerships and the urgent need to work together to find solutions, the State of Qatar has been keen to support landlocked developing countries.
He also indicated that activating real and continuous partnerships is of great importance in addressing the challenges faced by landlocked developing countries, especially in light of the current challenges of the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), which require strengthening multilateral cooperation to respond to the social and economic impacts of the epidemic.
He affirmed that the State of Qatar will continue its commitment to the principle of partnership and cooperation, which is a fundamental pillar of the State of Qatar's policy, and within these constants, no effort will be spared to support the promotion of the aspirations of the landlocked developing countries in their path towards sustainable and comprehensive development.