The diplomatic, consular and representative missions of the State of Qatar celebrated the occasion of the National Day, which falls on December 18, in commemoration of the founder of the state, Sheikh Jassim Bin Muhammad Bin Thani, under the slogan: “We praise you, the Lord of the Throne. We accept your judgment in all actions.”
Their Excellencies, Heads of the diplomatic, consular and representative missions of the State of Qatar abroad raised their highest greetings and blessings to Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and all the Qatari people on this occasion, wishing the State of Qatar more progress and prosperity.
The diplomatic celebrations in the capitals and cities of the world witnessed the participation of high-level official, which reflected Qatar’s distinguished relations with the countries of the world.
In New York, the permanent delegation of the State of Qatar to the United Nations in New York held a virtual celebration on the occasion of the National Day, with the participation of President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly H E Volkan Bozkr, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina Mohammed, as well as Their Excellencies ambassadors accredited to the United Nations and officials of the United Nations Secretariat.
In her opening statement during the ceremony, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations H E Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, affirmed that the National Day is an opportunity to reflect on the past and future of Qatar, and Her Excellency reviewed the achievements made by the State of Qatar, expressing her pride in the accomplishments.
She emphasized that the State of Qatar seeks to create a balance between economic and environmental development goals. In the field of human rights, Her Excellency referred to the declaration issued by Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, at the opening of the forty-ninth regular session of the Shura Council, to hold elections next October, in accordance with the constitution of the State of Qatar and to ensure the practice of the constitutional right for all citizens.
Her Excellency expressed her pride that the State of Qatar is one of the most effective countries to play the role of mediation and its commitment to achieving comprehensive peace and stability through dialogue, referring to the peace conference hosted by Doha for the Afghan parties.
With regard to confronting the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), she stated that the State of Qatar has given priority to international cooperation in confronting and addressing the pandemic, stressing that it will continue its efforts in supporting international efforts to spread and distribute vaccines in a fair way to countries in need.
For his part, President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly H E Volkan Bozkr extended his congratulations to Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and to the government and people of the State of Qatar on the occasion of the celebration of the National Day. He said that the State of Qatar is a distinguished partner in international and multilateral cooperation.
Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Canada H E Saud bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud held a virtual ceremony on the occasion of the National Day with the participation of a number of Their Excellencies members of the Canadian Parliament, officials in the Canadian government, and a group of ambassadors accredited to Ottawa.
Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations H E Amina Mohammed, praised the efforts made by the State of Qatar to combat the coronavirus pandemic at the national, regional and global levels, and expressed her gratitude and deep appreciation for the generous assistance provided by the State of Qatar to the various programs and activities of the United Nations, and said that the State of Qatar is an important partner in the international community and a defender of multilateral action, expressing her aspiration to continue working with the State of Qatar now and after the post-coronavirus pandemic.
The program of the ceremony included displaying a video on the construction of stadiums by the State of Qatar to host the World Cup 2022, where H E Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani explained that these stadiums are a model of sustainability and advanced technology that provides a new global standard for the benefit of future generations.
In Rome, the Embassy of the State of Qatar to the Italian Republic held a virtual ceremony on the occasion of the National Day. Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Italian Republic H E Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Malki, said in a speech on this occasion that everyone is celebrating within the framework of protection and safety measures, which is an approach that the world has not been used to, and everyone hope to change it at the earliest possible opportunity. The State of Qatar has supported the efforts of the international community and provided the necessary assistance to more than 70 countries and international organizations, stressing that the State of Qatar will continue its efforts to support the manufacture of the vaccine and provide it in a fair way to the most needy countries.
His Excellency stressed that the State of Qatar, in this exceptional circumstance represented by the outbreak of the coronavirus, has paid close attention to human rights, especially workers’ rights, the need to preserve the health and safety of all workers, regardless of their place and work conditions, and full attention to their economic and legal rights, and the State of Qatar has adopted an integrated package of measures to preserve the health of citizens and residents and the country’s economy, and financial incentives were allocated in the amount of QR75bn, including guarantees to banks of QR5bn within the salary support program and at the level of health procedures, examination, treatment and health care were provided to all citizens and residents of Qatar free of charge.
His Excellency said that the bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and the friendly Republic of Italy are excellent and distinctive relations at all levels, including political, economic and military, which depend on respect, mutual trust and common interests, stressing that they have reached the strategic level. His Excellency pointed out that the volume of trade exchange between the two countries has achieved high increases compared to what it used to be, due to mutual investments and bilateral investments through sovereign funds and others in various sectors.
In Stockholm, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Sweden celebrated the National Day. The ceremony was attended by Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden H E Robert Rydberg.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to Sweden H E Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al Thani, and a non-resident Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Kingdom of Norway, affirmed that the National Day marks a turning point in the process of building a modern, prosperous and developed country as it is a great opportunity to express our pride in our past and present.
Her Excellency pointed to the pivotal and vital role played by the State of Qatar on the regional and international arenas, providing help to the needy around the world, and its medical assistance to more than 70 countries to combat the coronavirus pandemic and the relief for people suffering from ongoing crises and conflicts around the world, as well as the crucial role in the peacemaking process and conflict resolution to make the Middle East a better place for stability and prosperity.
For his part, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden Robert Rydberg extended his warmest congratulations and sincere congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, and referred to the positive developments in bilateral relations, stressing the Kingdom of Sweden’s keenness to develop relations to new dimensions, praising the measures taken by the State of Qatar regarding its hosting of the World Cup. 2022, and the migrant worker issue.
In Ottawa, the Embassy of the State of Qatar to Canada held a virtual ceremony on the occasion of the National Day with the participation of a number of Their Excellencies members of the Canadian Parliament, officials in the Canadian government, and a group of ambassadors accredited to Ottawa.
Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Canada H E Saud bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud, mentioned the exceptional health conditions that the world is going through this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and also touched upon the important developments and achievements at the state level. His Excellency reviewed the two most important events expected during the next year and the following year, represented in the Shura Council elections in October of next year, and the FIFA World Cup finals organized by Qatar in 2022, for the first time in the Arab region.
Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Romania H E Abdullah bin Nasser Al Humaidi celebrating the Qatar National Day.
In Paris, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the French Republic celebrated, virtually, the occasion of the National Day. Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the French Republic H E Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, affirmed in a recorded speech that he addressed through video conference technology on this occasion, that what increases our pride in this precious national occasion is that we feel today in the State of Qatar more proud of our pioneering national experience, despite the economic and health difficulties that the whole world is witnessing, the State of Qatar has managed to overcome these enormous difficulties and challenges, and made bright national achievements in the process of development and comprehensive construction in all aspects of life within the framework of the modernization system led by the wise leadership in accordance with the Qatar National Vision 2030 which foresees prospects for a promising future and a new era of prosperity for the country and the citizen.
On this occasion, he praised the relations between Qatar and the French Republic, which had made long strides of prosperity and progress in recent decades, and pointed to the increasingly deepening of relations between the State of Qatar and France after the two countries signed the Strategic Dialogue Agreement early last year, which gave the relations a strategic dimension deeper and more established,
In Athens, the Embassy of the State of Qatar to the Greece Republic celebrated, via video communication technology, the occasion of the National Day. Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Greece H E Abdulaziz Ali Al Naama, said that the celebration this year comes (remotely) in application of precautionary and preventive measures to preserve the health and safety of everyone.
His Excellency noted the announcement of the Shura Council elections to be held in October of next year, and referred to the proclamation of September 9, 2020 of every year as an International Day to Protect Education from Attacks, based on the proposal of H H Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development (QF) Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, and this is in addition to all the initiatives of the Education Above All Foundation, pointing to the State of Qatar hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup and affirming that it will be an exceptional edition in history.
In Bucharest, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Romania celebrated the National Day. Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Romania H E Abdullah bin Nasser Al Humaidi, affirmed that this occasion has profound connotations in the consciences and hearts of all citizens, as the State of Qatar has become a civilizational beacon and a shining pioneering model in all fields of life because it puts the citizen in priority.
He said, “The policy of Qatar and its projects in all fields, such as education, culture, health, sports, youth, and social care to raise the level of well-being of the citizen and resident on its lands, respect his rights and preserve his dignity, have been affirmed by the legislative structure represented in the permanent constitution of the country, where elections will be organized for the Shura Council next October which is an expression of its respect for the foundations of democracy and the freedom of the citizen and his rights, an embodiment of what our leadership believes in of the authentic social and moral values affirmed by Islamic law and the ancient traditions of the Qatari society.”
