By Sidi Mohamed
DOHA: An Arab conference on the ‘Role of Civil Society in the sustainable development agenda 2030’ opened yesterday at Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC), with a call for innovative solutions to meet the goals of the agenda.
Under the patronage of H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the forum is organised by Qatar Social Work Foundation (QSWF), in collaboration with the United Nation Development Programme, UN Population Fund/Arab Region, UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, the Arab League and other entities.
The two-day conference is attended by over 200 delegates from 11 Arab countries, representing local and international civil society organisations, in addition to representatives from the private sector and specialists in the development field.
In her opening remarks, Munira bint Nasser Al Missned, Chairman, QSWF, said: “The aim of the conference is to achieve human dignity as only governments can’t achieve development without the help of civil society organisations.”
She said the ongoing demographic, political and economic events in the region will not only delay development but also negatively affect the region as a whole. These big challenges requires hard work to find innovate solutions and development strategies.
She cited Qatar which is contributing to international cooperation through partnerships between the government, civil society organisations and the private sector, and its achievements, including developing villages, health centres and, education institutions, and training teachers and doctors in addition to humanitarian relief operations. The QSWF is also taking care of vulnerable segments, including women, children, elderly and orphans and working in partnership with the government to provide services for them.
During the first public session on the sustainable development agenda, Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs H E Dr Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaim said development is the responsibility of the government, society, and individuals, and cooperation is necessary to ensure sustainable development.
Dr Abdallah Al Dardari, Deputy Executive Secretary, ESCWA, urged civil society organisations to be independent from governments and donors, to cooperate with other civil societies and develop their abilities in international trade and the right in development.
Dr Al Dardari said that since 2012 the Arab world has lost about $1 trillion since due to damage and reconstruction will cost more. The conference is Qatar’s initiative, launched by QSWF to increase awareness about the agenda, adopted by 193 member states of the United Nations in New York last September.The Peninsula
