Doha, September 18 (QNA) - Over the past five decades since it joined UN membership in 1971, the State of Qatar has spared no effort to translate the commitments that prompted its admission to UN membership, which was embodied in its reaction and assiduous efforts within the framework of international community that boosted multilateral cooperation.
The State of Qatar is committed to contributing to the success of this international organization, and accordingly has played a pivotal role to promote peace, and development in the world, through contribution to the entire concerted efforts dedicated to overcoming the global and regional challenges and alleviating the tensions in international relations.
During this extended process, Qatar has successfully ratified and joined the majority of international conventions, in addition to its keenness to remain an essential factor for stability in the region and the world, and a source of raising the awareness of the significance of the regional and international cooperation, considering that cooperation remains the cornerstone in achieving the economic development and compliance with the international obligations in the field of human rights, and promoting regional and international security and peace through hosting conferences, meetings and workshops under the umbrella of UN.
The State of Qatar has been aware of its responsibility as a partner in living up to the international commitments, and accordingly, it has undertaken active role at the regional and international levels to strengthen international partnership in economic, social, political and cultural matters and support interfaith and alliance of civilizations dialogue, as well as contribute to promoting international security and peace in congruent with its orientation to promote bilateral relations with countries, as the country engages in diplomatic relations with the majority of world countries.
Based on its belief in the role of UN to ensure the achievement of a prosperous and secure world, Qatar has taken active and positive role at the international level through its membership in the key UN bodies, particularly UN Security Council, UNHRC, UN Economic and Social Council, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNPF), UN Commission for Social Development and Commission on the Status of Women, and it continues its engagement in various efforts and initiatives to support the functions undertaken by international organizations.
Although the State of Qatar has joined several UN agreements and conventions, the country has been committed to signing UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) as a sole legal binding international instrument to combat corruption in 2003. As the country that is always calling on the world countries to act on implementing UNCAC through prevention, surveillance, accountability and transparency efforts, the country recognizes that the convention is considered the cornerstone of international community's effort to combat this scourge, which is the more comprehensive and global document on corruption and its implementation on the ground is the guarantee of building safe and prosperous communities.
Qatar has been aware of the importance of resisting this lethal scourge, which is why the state has started to operate at the local and international levels in leading the efforts devoted to combating corruption and crime, in addition to fostering the values of integrity and credibility worldwide.
At the national level, the country has enacted the legislations that manifestly criminalize this phenomenon and proactively prevent its potential occurrence, and made major and swift steps to prevent and fight corruption through pursuing an array of enforced mechanisms, in implementation of the directives of the wise leadership of State of Qatar. These legislations underlined the imperative of combating corruption through various methods and means, including the cooperation with other countries in pursuit of solidifying and undergirding Qatar's ambitious programs in fighting corruption, as the country holds leading position among the world countries with respect to combating of corruption, since integrity and transparency are considered the most critical pillars and goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.
The State of Qatar has also taken many practical initiatives locally to further promote values of integrity and combating of corruption and crime, in addition to taking qualitative steps to enhance the institutional framework of integrity and transparency, and issued a decision to establish the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority, which is specialized in promoting integrity with the objective of achieving control and integrity of public professions and prevent the occurrence of crimes that compromise public fund or profession.
Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award
Out of the State of Qatar's commitment to uphold UN and international efforts aimed at combating corruption, the country launched numerous relevant initiatives at the international level, including 'Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award', and hosted the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption - boosting the cooperation with the regional and international anti-corruption organizations and institutions.
'Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award' reflects the accomplishments of the State of Qatar through leveraging and upholding anti-corruption and seeks with its full power to combat this scourge that threatens communities stemming from its high mission for the humanity as a whole, as the award is exclusively granted to the distinguished entities in this field.
Within the framework of its keenness to demonstrate the remarkable role of women, including their empowerment and promotion of their political, civil, social, economic and cultural rights. The State of Qatar also joined UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 2009.
Qatar affirmed its permanent commitment to abide by its obligations toward the regional and international charters and conventions that primarily consolidate human rights for women, especially CEDAW, stressing the priority of advancing women in its policies, based on its belief in the pivotal role of women in all walks of life. This can be substantiated by the Qatari constitution that stipulates equality in public rights and obligations, including equality of all persons before the law without discrimination.
Qatar also notes its determination its keenness to integrate women's issues, especially those related to enhancing their participation in economic and political decision-making, providing them with decent work and a strong social protection in all national strategies and plans, including Qatar National Vision 2030, as well as the general strategy for the family.
Qatari women have made great strides in their participation in many fields, thanks to the strong political will of the State of Qatar's wise leadership supports women's empowerment and enhances their participation in the human development process. Qatar is one of the first countries that encouraged girls' education in the Gulf region since 1938, with the establishment of Amna Mahmoud Al Jaidha primary school for girls, which is considered a huge part in the educational pyramid. The country still prioritizes education, especially the education of girls and incorporates it into its national policy priorities and development aid in the country and abroad.
The State of Qatar is also one of the first countries in the Gulf region to grant women the right to vote and stand for election. Women are aptly occupying senior positions in the state as ministers, judges, ambassadors, university presidents and prosecutors and operating in police and law enforcement agencies and protection of security.
Qatar has always valued its strategic partnership with UN, and strived to achieve its goals and principles, including the maintenance of international and regional security and peace, which is why the country joined the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in 1989.
In this regard, Qatar has reaffirmed its commitment to work alongside the international community for the total elimination of nuclear weapons, achieve regional and international peace and security, stressing the importance of solid and full commitment to all the nuclear conventions, as well as the implementation of legal obligations arising from international agreements in the field of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
Qatar emphasized the of responsibly developing peaceful nuclear energy programs with adherence to comprehensive safeguards in cooperation with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to ensure high standards of safety and security in a world where nuclear proliferation represents an overriding concern and threatens the future of posterity.
The State of Qatar has always affirmed that nuclear weapons proliferation in the Middle East region constitutes an additional dimension to the current pressing challenges facing the region, stressing that denuclearizing the region and eliminating weapons of mass destruction (WMD) can substantially achieve the aspired regional and international stability. The country has indicated that 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to NPT, which considered denuclearizing the Middle East, as one of the core pillars of the unlimited extension of NPT.
Since environmental risks not only pose a threat to the future, but are a lived-reality that threatens the life of the current generation - subsequently imposing itself strongly on all regional and international levels, the State of Qatar has joined the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1996.
In this regard, Qatar confirmed the urgent need to galvanize the efforts and take immediate and serious measures, in addition to demonstrating further political will to overcome the challenges posed by extreme weather events, climate change and natural disasters that pose a threat to global peace and security, as well as an obstacle to achieving sustainable development goals.
The State of Qatar have spared no effort in its role as a active partner in the international community to overcome the impacts of climate change, based on the country's belief in the importance of international multilateral action. 2012 constituted an important landmark for the groundbreaking role undertaken by Qatar in this framework through hosting the 18th UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP18), and actively participating in the event.
The Qatari position in supporting and undergirding the international efforts in combating climate change is demonstrated in its designation of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, which is specialized in essentially reducing the emissions that contribute to climate change. The designation of this ministry underscores the unlimited support and priority given by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to the issue of environment and climate, which is substantiated by His Highness's participation in the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the UNFCCC held in Glasgow.
The State of Qatar has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) on the cooperation to promote resilience to climate change and green growth in Qatar, given that Qatar is a founding member of GGGI which assists the developing countries to pursue sustainability-based development strategies that unequivocally underscore the constant attention and support to the issue of environment and climate that put Qatar in a great position as active and vital member in all regional and international organizations working on environment and climate, including its contribution to supporting the efforts of developing countries in addressing the impacts arising from climate change.
Qatar has evidently paid particular attention to environment and climate change through appointing a special envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for climate change and sustainability, in addition to incorporating the issue of environment and climate change into its national vision 2030 in congruent with UN sustainable development goals and the state's ambitions to attain leadership position in the region through carrying out numerous projects and initiatives that primarily contribute to the efforts of reducing air pollutants and minimizing CO2 emissions, as well as reliance on renewable energy resources.
Qatari Efforts in Counter-Terrorism
Considering the growing menace of terrorism and the threat it poses to the international community and civilian life, including its effects in the world and region, the State of Qatar has signed multiple conventions on the prevention and combating of terrorism, and emerged as an active member in the fight against terrorism through upgrading its laws and legislations, which conspicuously strengthen its efforts dedicated to countering terrorist organizations and drying up their resources of financing.
The State of Qatar is effectively engaging in the international efforts to counter terrorism, and is cooperating with UN bodies concerned with counter-terrorism, especially the UN Security Council and the specialized committees, in accordance with its affirmative belief that the roots of terrorism must be uprooted, and never be associated with any religion, jurisprudence or civilization. Accordingly, the State of Qatar is seeking with other countries to attain a definition for terrorism, considering the right of peoples to delf-determination and the commitment to criminalize blasphemy, including insulting the religious symbols.
Amongst the state's efforts alongside the international community, Qatar provided initiatives and contributions to several international mechanisms on combating terrorism and hosted and organized a myriad of conferences and forums that call for combating terrorism.
At the local level, the State of Qatar issued law No. 4 of 2010 for anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing, and formed a national committee specialized in following-up the implementation of international conventions on anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing. At the regional level, Qatar ratified the Arab Convention on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing in 2012, and ratified GCC Counter-Terrorism Agreement in 2008.
At the international level, the State of Qatar ratified the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism in 2014, and the OIC Convention on Combating International Terrorism in 2006. The country also hosted the 7th Coordination Meeting of The Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF).
In regard to human rights, the State of Qatar has been seeking to obtain membership in UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) since its founding, based on the country's belief in the vital role undertaken by the council as the main organ in UN on promoting and protecting human rights.
In this context, Qatar has been keen to effectively participate and constructively cooperate with the member states in pursuit of undertaking its key roles during the whole period of the council's term to further accomplish the noble objectives for which the body has been established, during its membership in UNHRC during the period of 2007-2010 and 2011-2013.
The State of Qatar was elected for the third time from 2015-2017 in continuation of its active role in the international efforts aimed at promoting and protecting human rights based on the principles stipulated by the Qatari constitution, as the country is party to the majority of core international instruments on human rights, and was keen to cooperate with the key human rights organs, and live up to its obligations toward those organs, including the valued contribution provided by the Qatari experts during their membership in the standing committees of the conventions and various activities of UN human rights council.
The promotion and protection of human rights constitute one of the core pillars in the policy of the State of Qatar and represent a strategic option that underpins the comprehensive reform process pursued by Qatar that has been emphasized in Qatar National Vision 2030, which includes the fundamental themes that handle the key issues of human rights in education, health, environment, labor rights, women empowerment and child rights, in addition to the strategy of the national development and strengthening the relevant national institutions, including the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC).
Successful Qatari Diplomacy
Doha hosts the UN Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region in conformity with the policy of the State of Qatar, which plays a substantial role in the region to raise awareness with respect to human rights, in addition to convening meetings, workshops and training the personnel operating in government institutions, as well as relevant activists.
Based on Qatar's belief in the importance of the strategic partnership with UN, the State of Qatar has been keen to engage in active contribution in pursuit of strengthening the efforts exerted by the international community to maintain the international security and peace, in addition to supporting the development process, as the UN promising goals - represented in promoting human rights, providing humanitarian aid and participating in the collective action with the objective of addressing the current and emerging challenges facing the world, would not be achieved without supporting the development process.
The State of Qatar has significant presence in many UN activities, including regional and international groups in pursuit of solutions for the regional and international crises, conflict prevention and post-conflict peacekeeping and peacebuilding, and is considered one of the major contributors to UN peacekeeping missions.
In a contribution to the regional and international efforts, Doha hosts conferences, meetings and workshops on promoting international peace and security, including issues of development, democracy, human rights and promotion of peace culture.
One of the prominent and vital fields in which the State of Qatar is actively engaging at the international level entails the mediation efforts, as in recognition of the high significance prioritized by the foreign policy of the State of Qatar pertaining to the peaceful conflict resolution, the country has prioritized the importance of mediation in conflict resolution as well, in which the Qatari diplomacy has achieved considerable successes in the countries that have witnessed internal or international conflicts.
Qatar has fully recognized that mediation is the optimal solution that contributes to conflict prevention, in addition to reducing victimization and the humanitarian, economic and development costs. Accordingly, Qatar has taken active role in promoting mediation through coordination and cooperation with the UN Security Council and UN General Assembly, in addition to cooperating with mediation-friendly parties. in the group of friends of mediation.
The State of Qatar has been a sincerely fair and loyal mediator, which contributed to the success of its efforts in several crises, such as the issue of the Darfur region in Sudan, and mediating between Eritrea and Djibouti, as well as Chad. The last of which has culminated in signing the Doha Peace Agreement by the Chadian parties with the participation of Politico-Military Movements in Chadian National, Inclusive, and Sovereign Dialogue in Chad under the auspices of the State of Qatar.
The agreement comes as a culmination of the negotiations hosted by the State of Qatar during the past five months with broad regional and international participation. The agreement paves the way for the beginning of national dialogue in the Chadian capital N'Djamena, which intends to achieve comprehensive national reconciliation. (QNA)