The State of Qatar participated today in the Economic and Social Council Forum on the Follow-up to Financing for Development for 2022, which is being held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The delegation of the State of Qatar participating in the forum was headed by HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. In a recorded speech delivered during the general discussion of the forum, His Excellency said that the State of Qatar, under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, and in line with its commitment and keenness to support the issues of the least developed countries, is proud of hosting the Fifth United Nations Conference on Low developed countries, the second part of which will be held in Doha from 5-9 March 2023. Al Muraikhi stressed that the State of Qatar is confident that this conference will be a milestone, and that the Doha Work Program for the Least Developed Countries, which was approved during the first part of the conference held on March 17, 2022, will provide a pivotal opportunity to contribute to meeting the needs and priorities of these countries, and achieve a recovery sustainable and support its path towards achieving comprehensive development. He stressed that the issue of comprehensive and sustainable development occupies an important place at the top of the interests of the State of Qatar, which is continuing its rapid development path, noting that it has taken ambitious measures at the national level to implement the 2030 sustainable development plan, and has made remarkable achievements and progress. He pointed out that the efforts of the State of Qatar were not limited to the national level, pointing out that it was keen to continue its leading role and work closely with partners at the international level, including the bodies and entities of the United Nations, pointing out that the State of Qatar is a key partner in providing support through Bilateral and multilateral agreements, and the implementation of development projects that have a positive impact in responding to challenges and accelerating the wheel of inclusive and sustainable growth. His Excellency added, "Recognizing the importance of innovative initiatives and partnership with the international community, we are pleased that the State of Qatar was a founding investor in the Network of Laboratories for Development Impact Acceleration of the United Nations Development Programme, and allocated a multi-year contribution totaling $20 million to support the network of laboratories that provide solutions and innovative measures to the current challenges caused by the spread of the epidemic, whose work has shown a vital impact on the lives of many around the world.” He added, "We are pleased that the State of Qatar announced on March 31, 2022, during the high-level event to announce donations to support the humanitarian response in Afghanistan, which my country co-hosted, a new pledge to support the humanitarian response in Afghanistan for 2022, with a total of 25 million US dollars, of which 5 will be allocated. Millions of dollars to support the Afghanistan Trust Fund for the United Nations Development Programme. His Excellency the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs pointed out that the total funding committed by the Qatar Fund for Development during 2020, exceeded $533 million, by allocating funding to many partners in the field of development and humanitarian aid, including United Nations agencies. He explained that the Qatar Fund for Development signed a partnership agreement with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), for the period from 2021-2025, by making a contribution of $10 million to support the coalition's efforts for the fair and sustainable access of vaccines to low-income countries, in line with the importance that the State of Qatar attaches to strengthening international support to ensure easy access to vaccines. He stressed that the State of Qatar will be, as usual, ready to continue its active and positive contributions, adding: "You can count on the continuous support of the State of Qatar to address challenges and move forward with the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development." His Excellency expressed his sincere appreciation for the valuable efforts made to organize this forum, which takes place at a time when the coronavirus pandemic still occupies an important place on the global agenda, and continues to place great burdens on societies and economies.