His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Chairman of the Supreme Council for Economic Affairs and Investment chaired the third meeting of the Council for the year 2021 at the Amiri Diwan this morning. The meeting was attended by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani, Deputy Emir, Vice President of the Council, His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Executive Member of the Council, and Their Excellencies members of the Council. The council reviewed the decisions and recommendations made in the second meeting, and the project follow-up report. The council also discussed ways to implement the state's economic priorities and took the appropriate decisions in their regard. The Council was briefed on the presentation on development plans and challenges related to the tourism sector, and the presentation on the banking sector in the country, its challenges and development mechanisms. The Council was also briefed on the developments of the second national development strategy 2018-2022. The council also dealt with the topics on its agenda and took appropriate decisions.

The State of Qatar stressed the importance of intensifying efforts and activating partnerships to advance global economies, especially in developing and least developed countries, in light of the current challenges and the Corona virus pandemic, which has placed great burdens on international trade and what it constitutes a pivotal element to stimulate economic growth. This came in the statement of the State of Qatar made by Mrs. Amna Al-Muftah, member of the delegation of the State of Qatar participating in the work of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, before the Second Committee (Financial and Economic) of the United Nations General Assembly, on the item "Macroeconomic Policies Related Issues". , and item "Follow-up and implementation of the outcomes of international conferences on financing for development". The statement indicated that Qatar is aware of the importance of accelerating the pace of collective action to confront the climate crisis, which is one of the most urgent challenges. The State of Qatar’s contribution of $100 million to support small island developing states and least developed countries to deal with climate change.” The statement said that, in light of the current exceptional circumstances and the repercussions of the Corona virus pandemic, especially on the least developed countries, the State of Qatar aspires for the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, whose work will be hosted by Doha during the period from January 23-27, 2022, would be a milestone through which the aspirations of the peoples of these countries are realized, and we also look forward to making the Doha Work Program an important starting point and pillar for responding to challenges and supporting the efforts of the least developed countries towards a more sustainable and inclusive development path, and achieving recovery and enhancing resilience. The statement noted that the State of Qatar continues its pioneering role in providing initiatives and contributions that alleviate the burdens of crises, and providing development and relief assistance to many countries of the world. He added, "The State of Qatar has supported the efforts of many countries and local and international organizations to mitigate the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic, and contributions have been made that exceed $140 million, and the State of Qatar has signed a basic contribution agreement with the World Health Organization worth $10 million."

HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani affirmed that the State of Qatar considers the preservation and protection of human rights as one of the strategic pillars of its foreign policy, and an essential factor for achieving prosperity and peace. Commenting on Qatar's winning of the membership of the Human Rights Council, His Excellency said - on his official account on Twitter - "Qatar's victory today for membership in the Human Rights Council, with the support of 182 countries, confirms Qatar's continuous efforts to promote human rights and culminates in its noble efforts in international issues." His Excellency Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, announced that Qatar had won membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council in elections that took place yesterday at the organization’s headquarters in New York, to choose members of the Human Rights Council for a period of three years starting in January 2022. The State of Qatar, which ran on behalf of the Asian and Pacific Group, obtained in a direct secret ballot 182 votes in the Human Rights Council, which consists of 47 member states, elected by a secret ballot.

Yesterday in Doha, the work of the fourth edition of the Global Security Forum concluded under the theme between cooperation and competition - international security: challenges of competition and prospects for cooperation. Sessions on the last day dealt with issues related to terrorism and efforts to prevent and increasingly combat violent extremism through comprehensive international cooperation, in addition to discussing the risks posed by misinformation on the Internet to the security of societies. In his speech at the forum, Mr. Damian Hinds, Minister of State and British Minister of Security and Borders, stressed that his country is working to combat terrorism in all its forms through more coordination and international action within the framework of the international coalition against ISIS, Noting that Britain will use all possible means to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a haven for terrorists. The British Minister of Security and Borders also touched on the role of the Internet in spreading terrorist content and recruiting fighters in conflict areas and the most fragile countries. He called for more collective action and a comprehensive approach that brings together governments and law enforcement institutions within the framework of international cooperation and an efficient and effective response to confront terrorism. A number of participants in the events, including experts and academics from the East, highlighted the importance of organizing the Global Security Forum as a platform for dialogue and exchanging experiences and expertise in a number of current international topics and issue Ioannis Koskinas, Senior Research Fellow at the New America Foundation, said: The Global Security Forum is of great importance by bringing together a number of academics and researchers from different countries of the world, in addition to addressing a number of pivotal issues for the international community, such as the repercussions of Corona, terrorism, the danger of misinformation and how to activate a joint international action to overcome the crisis. Mr. Koskinas praised Doha's role in supporting the efforts of the international community, explaining: "Qatar stands out as an important peace and mediation partner in the international scene through its diplomatic efforts in facilitating negotiations between Washington and the Taliban movement, and the convergence of views, which makes working with it very important for us as experts and international institutions." He added, "Qatar plays a major role in Afghanistan in facilitating negotiations, as it is able to open lines of dialogue with the Taliban, in addition to the important evacuation efforts." This is very important, and today it plays a mediating role in the dialogue between the Taliban party and the American and European parties, which is what we really need in Washington and as an international community. Jason Blazky, a researcher at the Soufan Center, highlighted: "Qatar has made significant diplomatic efforts in a number of conflicts in the region by playing diplomatic roles and urging the parties to sit down to the dialogue table. The last commendable effort of Doha is the evacuation of thousands of citizens from Afghanistan. It is important that the State of Qatar be A bridge for international cooperation to work together for the goals of peace and sustainable development for the benefit of all. Doha has good and strategic relations with the United States of America, as well as the ability to communicate with the Taliban party , which makes it effective in the Afghan file and able to mobilize international support to end the crisis for the benefit of the Afghan.

HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani met Thursday with a delegation from the British Parliament headed by HE Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Nigel Evans, who is currently visiting the country. During the meeting, they reviewed the historical relations between the State of Qatar and the United Kingdom, and ways to enhance and develop joint cooperation between the two friendly countries in various fields, in addition to the latest developments in the region and a number of regional and international issues.

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani stressed on the importance of engaging and participating with the party that rules Afghanistan regardless of who it is, noting that not communicating with Afghanistan could be a mistake. His Excellency was participating in a session titled "Strategic Cooperation in the Gulf and Beyond" that is taking place in day 2 of the 4th Global Security Forum, taking place under the theme of "Cooperation or Competition? Changing Dynamics of Global Security." HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the international community does not want to punish the Afghan people on things that has nothing to do with them, noting that the goal should rather be finding ways to deal with conditions in Afghanistan in order to have stability in the country by having the US and other countries engage with the Taliban. Regarding the divergence of views between the State of Qatar and the United States, which believes that what is happening on the ground should be followed up to determine aspects of cooperation with the Taliban, HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani affirmed during a session held within the activities of the Global Security Forum that the two countries share the same goals and objectives for a stable and inclusive Afghanistan and for the people to enjoy their rights by building on the gains made during the past two decades, and not to scatter those them. HE stated that the only difference, which I don't see a big difference, is how we can achieve and accomplish our common goals. The United States wants to see progress in terms of freedom of movement and this is something we agree with and we have seen positive steps in this regard, as well as with regard to women's rights, there are small steps, but they are not enough and did not reach the desired goal. We believe that it is important to provide guidance and support and to reward them for every positive step they take or intend to take and not to punish them for the negative steps they take. This provides an incentive for them to move forward and helps them to be more effectiveness and efficiency in their judgment.

The State of Qatar renewed the importance of international cooperation for elimination of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction and non-proliferation, pointing to the State's efforts to continue developing its national legislation related to weapons of mass destruction to comply with its obligations under the conventions the country has acceded to and ratified. The State of Qatar expressed its support for all activities that promote the implementation and understanding of those treaties and agreements. This came in the State of Qatar's statement delivered by the Second Secretary at the Permanent Delegation of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ahmed bin Saif Al Kuwari before the First Committee of the UN General Assembly at its 76th session on items related to nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction (WMD(. The State of Qatar's statement referred to the seminar held by the Qatar National Committee for the Prohibition of Weapons (NCPW) on the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Chemical Safety and Security Management for Member States of the OPCW in the Asian Region in cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) through the Doha Regional Center for Training on Agreements Related to Weapons of Mass Destruction. The statement said that the seminar discussed the process of reviewing the safety of the security of chemical facilities, and peaceful applications in chemistry and chemical security, noting the "10th Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Awareness Workshop" for male and female students in secondary schools in the State of Qatar in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, which was held by the committee on Feb. 15 and 16, 2021. The statement added that the annual workshop included lectures on agreements related to weapons of mass destruction including nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, in addition to the role of international organizations in this regard as well as discussions on the State of Qatar's efforts to implement WMD agreements. The State of Qatar's statement pointed out that the delay in establishing a Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East does not help to achieve international peace and security in the region. The statement reiterated the State of Qatar's support for holding the second session of the UN Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction, in accordance with the General Assembly Decision 73/546 which is scheduled to take place from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3, 2021, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The statement expressed the State of Qatar's aspiration for the cooperation of all countries in the region to make the conference a success under the chairmanship of the sisterly State of Kuwait as this will contribute to strengthening peace and security at the regional and international levels. In conclusion, the statement reiterated the importance of international cooperation for elimination of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction and non-proliferation, affirming the State of Qatar's firm keenness to fulfill its commitments in the field of disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation and to continue working with members of the international system to maintain international peace and security.

His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received at the Amiri Diwan Office this morning, a delegation of Their Excellencies members of the British Parliament on the occasion of their visit to Qatar. During the meeting, they reviewed relations of friendship and strategic cooperation between the State of Qatar and Britain and ways of strengthening and developing them, in addition to exchanging views on the most prominent regional and international developments.

The State of Qatar welcomed the greater attention the Security Council and the United Nations in general have paid to strengthen the foundations of sustainable peace, expressing its belief that the most effective way to prevent such differences in the long term is to spread a culture of peace and tolerance among members of societies and to promote quality education for all. This came in a statement addressed by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani to the UN Security Council, which held an official meeting chaired by HE President of the Republic of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta, who is the Security Council President for the month of October to discuss "Diversity, State-building and the search for peace", under the "Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace" agenda item. The statement of the State of Qatar stated that spreading peace and tolerance among members of societies, and promoting quality education for all can only be achieved by educating girls, stressing that supporting the right to education is of greater importance in situations of conflict and emergency. In this context, the statement pointed out that the State of Qatar has played a prominent role in promoting and protecting the right to education, especially in emergency situations at the international level, and making fruitful efforts to provide education opportunities for girls. The statement added that the State of Qatar is aware of the importance of promoting factors conducive to stability and those discouraging the emergence and exacerbation of conflict, such as totalitarianism in society, politics and the economy, and building effective state institutions based on the rule of law and wise governance. The statement said that the State of Qatar has emphasized these factors in its foreign policy, in word and deed, and has devoted a large part of its humanitarian and development efforts to projects that contribute to strengthening the building of state institutions, especially in countries emerging from conflicts, and providing vocational training opportunities, job opportunities, sports and other fields which directs the energies of young people towards positive production and building their countries and societies instead of being affected by the conflicts of extremism and fragmentation. The statement underlined the State of Qatar's support for the United Nations programs and activities aimed at achieving sustainable development such as contributing to the Accelerator Lab Network to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The statement pointed out that the State of Qatar attaches great importance to supporting international efforts aimed at reducing the impact of climate change and other factors that exacerbate the fragility of societies and contribute to undermining stability. The statement of the State of Qatar shed light on the Coronavirus pandemic which has opened the way for more factors undermining economic and social stability in various parts of the world, pointing out that the State of Qatar has sought since the beginning of the spread of the pandemic to cooperate with its international partners towards mitigating the impact of the global pandemic. The statement went on to say that States and societies enjoy flexibility in the face of challenges that undermine their stability, which requires opening the way for the political, social and economic participation of all societal spectrums and not marginalizing any of them. From this point of view, the statement added that the efforts of the State of Qatar in settling disputes through mediation, which are well-known efforts in many cases, always take into account that the solutions sought should be inclusive of all spectrums and societal, racial, ethnic, religious and political components. ​

HE the State of Qatar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani participated in the virtual meeting organized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation with the Italian Institute for International Political Studies, under the title 'Protecting Children in Armed Conflict and the Safe Schools Declaration.' HE stressed that protecting education during conflicts and crises and ensuring that all children receive a quality education is a very important issue for the State of Qatar. HE referred to resolution 74/275 submitted by the State of Qatar and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on May 28, 2020, which considered the 9th of September of each year to be an international Day to Protect Education from Attack. That day was achieved due to the efforts of Chairperson of Education Above All Foundation Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. This decision came 10 years after the General Assembly adopted the historic resolution 64/290, submitted by the State of Qatar under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, which called on Member States to guarantee the right to education for the affected population in all stages of emergency situations, HE said. Despite international efforts, attacks on education continue and there is no accountability for the perpetrators, HE added. She drew attention to the importance of the International Day that calls for education in the field of protection from attack. "It serves as a reminder of the protection of schools as safe spaces for children and the need to prioritize access to education for all children, especially those in vulnerable situations," she said. It is not just another day on the UN calendar, but a call for world leaders to put the protection of education at the top of the global agenda, HE said, emphasizing the importance of protecting and materializing education through action on the ground and through effective mechanisms that would put an end to impunity for the perpetrators of such attacks. HE Sheikha Alya Al-Thani referred to the obstacles that COVID-19 pandemic has posed to the fragile progress being made to protect education and pointed to 'Protecting Education in Insecurity and Conflict' program introduced by Education Above All over a decade ago, where Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser called for action at many high-level meetings as well as at the UN Security Council. HE the Ambassador renewed Qatar's call for greater accountability for the man-made and preventable causes of interference with the right to education, such as attacks on education, adding that the State of Qatar is a key member of the coalition that led to the Declaration of Safe Schools. The State of Qatar has long recognized the vital role that reliable data plays in monitoring and responding to attacks on education around the world. Education Above All is at the forefront of efforts to improve access to data on education in emergencies. The data help to highlight and understand how attacks against education in times of conflict and insecurity deny children and their right to education, HE said. HE Sheikha Alya Al-Thani hailed Education Above All Foundation's support for the development of humanitarian technology to record data on attacks on schools, teachers and students, and violations of education-related laws in order to hold perpetrators of attacks accountable. ​