QATAR has once again called for adopting multilateral approach and taking collective action in the face of challenges facing the world, especially the least developed countries.
Doha has long been an advocate of multilateralism and global cooperation to face the myriad challenges ranging from climate change to wars and conflict, and from poverty to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
In her keynote speech at a virtual event on the sidelines of the 2021 High-level Political Forum on July 14, Assistant Foreign Minister and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chairperson of Qatar Fund for Development H E Lolwah Al Khater said: “Now is the moment, to design bold actions and invest in building the resilience of individuals and communities to overcome the long-term development challenges and prepare better for future crisis. We will strive to realise the sustainable development goals ambitions and work hand in hand to put together a strengthened framework to support LDCs (least developed countries).”
The Forum was held under the theme of ‘Building back better to realise the SDGs in LDCs: Accelerating action to achieve inclusive, sustainable, resilient recovery – approaches on the road to the LDC5 conference in Doha’.
Hosted by Qatar Fund for Development and the Global Green Growth Institute, the event brought together high-level representatives from LDCs and leading experts from international organisations to discuss ways in which the international community could help speed up the acceleration of climate action post-COVID-19, especially in LDCs and small island developing states.
The event explored the needs and the priorities of the LDCs in the context of achieving the SDGs and against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic; approaches required to ensure LDCs can build back better and recover in a resilient way post COVID-19; and good practices and lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Qatar has played a leading role in the global efforts to fight and recover from the pandemic. Doha has provided medical and humanitarian assistance to around a hundred countries to aid their efforts against the pandemic.
Aid from government and non-government entities stands at over $256m, and has been offered to around 88 countries, according to Qatar’s Government Communications Office.
Multilateralism and collective action is needed now more than ever to ensure equal access to COVID-19 vaccines. This will help the global community recover from the pandemic fast and will also stem the rise in inequality and poverty.
