The State of Qatar participated in the high-level meeting to celebrate the anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), on the sidelines of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The State of Qatar was represented at the meeting by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi.
During the State of Qatar’s speech at the meeting, HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs reiterated the State of Qatar’s commitment to continue implementing the DDPA and harnessing all potentials and energies to promote respect for human rights and equality for all, as well as ensure justice for victims of racial discrimination.
HE explained that combating racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia is a fundamental pillar of the policy of the State of Qatar, adding that the State of Qatar was one of the pioneering countries in promoting the values of tolerance and equality for all, regardless of race, gender or color.
He said that based on this, the Constitution of the State of Qatar guarantees equality before the law, adding that the State of Qatar is proud to host more than one million people of difference races, religions and societies who live in harmony with the Qatari people, according to the values and traditions that are known in our society, which are enshrined in legislation. HE also noted the State of Qatar’s accession to all international human rights instruments, including international conventions related to combating racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia.
HE pointed out that the DDPA represents one of the pillars on which we work to confirm our partnership with the international community to address discrimination and racism and work to achieve justice for victims of racist policies and discrimination with the aim of building societies based on mutual respect and coexistence in harmony and homogeneity.
He added that in line with the State’s policy in this regard, the State of Qatar has established many institutions aimed at spreading the values of tolerance and dialogue and confronting extremism and racism.
HE pointed out that the State of Qatar played a leading role at the international level in supporting the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) since it was founded in 2005, and we are keen to support its programs that are aimed at rapprochement between peoples, religions and civilizations. In this context, the Government of the State of Qatar signed a memorandum of understanding with UNAOC in Dec. 2019, he explained, adding that the State of Qatar provided $1.5 million for the years 2020-2022 to support the implementation of the Alliance’s programs and projects that are at the core of our meeting today.
HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs noted that based on the State of Qatar’s belief in the importance of consolidating values, trends and behaviors that support responsible global citizenship, the State of Qatar plays a leading role with friendly and partner countries within the Group of Friends on Education for Global Citizenship.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
