Qatar Stresses Need to Strengthen International Solidarity to Achieve Social Development Goals

Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad

The State of Qatar underlined the need to strengthen international solidarity, multilateral cooperation and partnerships among all stakeholders in order to achieve social development goals, especially in light of the challenges posed by the global health crisis.

This came in a speech delivered by HE Minister of Social Development and Family Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, at the Ministerial Forum of the 60th session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development, which began today via video communication technology.

HE the Minister of Social Development and Family said that the ongoing negative effects of the global health crisis have led to a decline in the gains in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially the first and second goals related to the eradication of poverty and hunger, which requires international cooperation to confront these effects.

She noted that the State of Qatar plays an active role in the global partnership for development, stressing that the Qatari initiatives in the field of international cooperation in the humanitarian and development fields are one of the pillars of Qatar's foreign policy, which focuses on achieving economic and social development in low-income countries and those that suffer of conflicts and natural disasters.

She expressed pride in the achievements made by Qatar Fund for Development through a large number of partnerships at the bilateral level and through international organizations, which aim to give hope and promote peace and justice through sustainable and comprehensive development.

HE the Minister of Social Development and Family highlighted some of the achievements of the State of Qatar in the field of international cooperation to support countries affected by the health crisis represented by the coronavirus pandemic, and those affected by conflicts and natural disasters, noting that these efforts aimed at providing prosperity and dignity for all, and contributing to achieving the goals of eliminating poverty and hunger and achieving food security.

In the field of food security, HE the Minister indicated that the State of Qatar launched an initiative to establish the Global Dryland Alliance, which is one of the international mechanisms aimed at confronting climate change and achieving food security. She noted that the alliance agreement was concluded in Doha in 2017, and entered into force after ratification by the States Parties in accordance with the provisions of the convention. The Alliance was granted an "observer" status in the United Nations General Assembly, in recognition of the important role it can play at the global level.

Talking about the achievements of the State of Qatar, HE Minister of Social Development and Family Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad referred to the role of Qatar Fund for Development in supporting countries affected by climate change or those suffering from conflicts and disasters.

In this context, HE said that Qatar Fund for Development signed an agreement at the end of 2021 with the Food and Agriculture Organization to help Somalia improve its resilience in the face of climate change. This agreement aims to enhance agriculture and livestock production for smallholders, through the development of proactive strategies capable of adapting to the effects of climate change and predicting crises.

HE the Minister added that Qatar Fund for Development also signed in June 2021 a contribution agreement with the Adaptation Fund established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, with the aim to finance adaptation to climate change in most countries exposed to climate change, including the least developed countries and the small island developing states.