Doha - The State of Qatar yesterday organized a virtual high-profile side event on "Protraction of the COVID-19 Crisis: Mitigating the Impacts and Protecting Future Generations " with the Friends of Solidarity for Global Health Security group, which took place on the sidelines of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly in partnership with Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Speaking at the high-level side event, HE Minister of Public Health Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari said that Qatar attaches great importance to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the most vulnerable, including women and children. She expressed deep concern with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the most vulnerable countries, including the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), noting the severe disruption caused by the pandemic on educational systems.
Al Kuwari said that "The COVID-19 pandemic is not only a global health crisis but also a humanitarian, human development and economic crisis. Robust global cooperation is essential. " she said. Her Excellency further explained that the crisis is exacerbating pre-existing education disparities by reducing the opportunities for many children and youth to continue their learning.
HE the Minister of Public Health noted that as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, COVID-19 pushes us towards effective multilateral cooperation, stressing that only through solidarity and strengthening international cooperation, can we overcome this threat to us all be, enable the most vulnerable to respond, recover, and build back better.
Her Excellency added: "The vision of His Highness Shaikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar in global solidarity has been translated in Qatar's growing support to international action on several fronts. Qatar contributed 20 million US dollars to the World Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), to accelerate the development, and production of a vaccine for the virus. Qatar has also allocated 10 million US Dollars for WHO, to support equipment, diagnostics, therapeutics for COVID-19 and equitable distribution of vaccines to everyone who needs them worldwide, in order to save lives and leaving no one behind in a time of crisis. Qatar has also provided urgent medical assistance to dozens of countries."
Her Excellency also explained that based on Qatar's deep commitment to SIDS, least developed countries and landlocked developing countries, Qatar looks forward to hosting the upcoming 5th United Nations Conference on LDCs in Doha, where the LDCs Programme of Action for the next 10 years will be adopted. HE Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari reiterated Qatar's support for the United Nations in building a future of peace and prosperity for all.
Qatar co-chairs the Friends of Solidarity group for global health security, and the side event addressed ministers and representatives of the countries co-chairing the group; Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Sierra Leone, as well as Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations.
During the virtual side event, a number of key themes were discussed on the impact of the COVID-19 crisis protraction on future generations, how such impact could be mitigated through joint action, the role of modern technologies and the private sector in contributing to the preparation for the second wave of COVID-19 or any other infectious diseases, and the needs and aspirations of young people in the context of COVID-19.