The State of Qatar has emphasized the pivotal role of education as one of the critical enabling elements to achieve the sustainable development goals.

This came in the statement of the State of Qatar made by the Third Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani, in the joint discussions of the United Nations General Assembly on the items concerned with the “integrated and coordinated implementation and follow-up of the outcomes of the major conferences and summits it holds in the economic, social and related fields”, and “Follow-up to the outcome of the Millennium Summit”, and “Strengthening the United Nations system”.

He pointed to the pioneering role played by the State of Qatar in the Transforming Education Summit (TES) that was held last September, whether through its membership in the Summits Advisory Committee or its hosting of the preparatory regional consultations for the Arab region and West Asia, which is consistent with the important space for the issue of promoting and protecting the right education, which it places at the top of its priorities in its international programs.

He explained that the Transforming Education Summit, which was held by the Secretary-General of the United Nations last September, constituted an important forum and gave positive impetus to stimulate more ambition to accelerate work to achieve transformation in the field of education, and to ensure quality and inclusive education for all, especially in the context of multiple challenges, and the aspects that have been exacerbated in the education sector due to the pandemic.

He said that the State of Qatar continues its recognized role in the field of education, as the Education Above All Foundation, in cooperation with its international partners, has achieved many goals in this field, which have made a major change in the lives of millions of children around the world towards a better future by providing educational opportunities to them and to protect them.

He praised the Doha Work Program for the Least Developed Countries, which was adopted during the first part of the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries held in March 2022, and the roadmap for reform and tools that this program provides to ensure that more resources are available to help the least developed countries to recover.

He said that the Doha work program for the least developed countries for the decade 2022-2031 constitutes an added value of great importance, especially in the context of the ambitious tools and measures it contains to bring about the desired transformational change, and the commitment it reflects to all partners to raise the level of ambition and leave no one behind.

He expressed Qatar’s pride for hosting the second part of the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, in Doha from 5-9 March 2023, based on its belief in the importance of solidarity and multilateral action. He also expressed the hope that this conference would constitute a pivotal station for reflecting the political will and emphasizing the translation of promises and commitments into concrete practical measures.

He added that the Doha conference will provide an opportunity, available only once in a decade, to move forward in partnerships and joint efforts, and support what the least developed countries yearn for in their path and endeavors towards a better and brighter future and achieving sustainable and comprehensive development.

In line with the importance that the State of Qatar attaches to cooperation and joint action to face challenges, Sheikh Abdulrahman drew attention to Qatar Fund for Development’s contribution in 2021, with more than $551 million in its development projects and humanitarian aid. He stressed that the Fund continues to work closely with its strategic partners and many United Nations agencies, to respond to pressing global issues.

He added that the efforts made by the State of Qatar as an active partner in the international community make it at the forefront of active countries whose active and positive contributions can be relied upon to achieve the desired goals.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs