New York, September 21 (QNA) - The State of Qatar participated in the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative, on the sideline of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The State of Qatar was represented in the meeting by HE Assistant Foreign Minister Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater.
In the State of Qatar's speech to the meeting, HE Assistant Foreign Minister praised the efforts made by the People's Republic of China through its launch of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), which contributes to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Her Excellency said that the increase in the group of friends sends a positive and strong signal from the international community about the importance of the GDI basic concepts and principles, which pays special attention to the development and the main role of global development partnerships.
Her Excellency explained that COVID-19 remains a huge challenge, pointing out that it has exacerbated current needs and challenges such as poverty, the effects of climate change, conflict and food insecurity in a way that threaten to undermine progress made in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
She added that despite the existing challenges, collective efforts and global partnerships continue to play a vital role in addressing these challenges and responding to the growing needs.
Her Excellency affirmed that the State of Qatar places development at the top of its priorities, noting that it has not limited its efforts only to the national level, but has continued its endeavors as an effective partner at the international level, recognizing the importance of multilateral cooperation.
HE Assistant Foreign Minister pointed out that the State of Qatar continues to provide its contributions at the international level, noting that the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), in 2021, contributed more than USD 551 million at the international level in the field of development and humanitarian aid, as it worked to direct these amounts through its partners, including multilateral institutions, QFFD also continued to make unremitting efforts to mitigate the COVID-19 effects, especially those who live in vulnerable communities.
She said that based on the belief that achieving the ambitious aspirations of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will not be possible without paying special attention to the least developed countries, the State of Qatar is honored to host the second part of the Fifth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in Doha from March 5 to 9, 2023, adding that this conference will make a major contribution to promoting the sustainable development of those countries.
Her Excellency reiterated the possibility of relying on the support of the State of Qatar in order to ensure the continuation of the group of friends to contribute to global development and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Plan.
(QNA)