Doha: Qatar has announced to provide US$ 60 million to support the development process of the least developed countries (LDCs). Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, made this announcement while inaugurating the fifth United Nations Conference of the Least Developed Countries, that is currently taking place in Doha, the capital of Qatar. “Based on the State of Qatar’s firm commitment to supporting the development process of the least developed countries, I announce a financial contribution of a total amount of $60mn, of which $10mn will be allocated for supporting the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action activities for the least developed countries, and $50mn will be allocated for supporting the intended outcomes of the Doha Programme of Action and building resilience potential in the least developed countries,” the Emir said.
On the occasion he also expressed the belief that the LDC conference will contribute to supporting the least developed countries march towards achieving development for the next ten years, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Emir said the world is facing grave challenges as a result of new international conflicts, global food security crisis, climate change phenomenon, and lingering impacts of Covid-19 pandemic. “It is incumbent on us to contemplate these challenges as we plan for a shared future for our peoples and countries over the next decade of the existence of the least developed countries,” said the Emir, adding “Millions of people in these countries are still burdened with poverty, lack of food besides health care and education.”
According to him, the Doha Programme of Action is the basis for the road map to support tackling the problems of the least developed countries in the next decade.
The Emir of Qatar mentioned that confronting food security challenges, climate change, energy crisis and debt crisis is a joint global liability, while finding solutions is a shared collective task and responsibility among all countries. “But there is a moral obligation incumbent upon the rich and developed countries to contribute more to assist the least developed countries to overcome the global challenges we are now dealing with,” he said.
The Emir said that international crises have their dire repercussions on the least developed countries and the debt crisis, which crippled the course of growth and development in these countries, is strongly evident in these countries.
On the occasion, he called on advanced and industrial nations to fulfill their obligations on reducing emissions. “Based on our commitment to combating climate change and the internationally approved policies in this regard, we aspire that the advanced industrial countries fulfill their legal and moral responsibilities in taking more effective and efficient decisions and measures on emissions,” said the Emir.
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