Doha / Information Office / July 15
HE Assistant Foreign Minister and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater participated in the session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which was held to review the performance of different regions on the indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
HE Assistant Foreign Minister's participation in the session organized by the United Nations via video call came as a representative of the Arab region.
In her speech, HE Assistant Foreign Minister affirmed the recognition of the participating Arab countries that comprehensive development work remains stalled in the Arab region and requires concerted efforts and the adoption of effective tools and mechanisms to identify priority groups and direct projects in favor of the countries most in need, according to the principle of not neglecting anyone.
Her Excellency also indicated that the Arab countries agreed that sustainable development is conditional on ending the Israeli occupation and achieving a just peace in the Palestinian territories, which requires the support of the UN and the international community.
HE Assistant Foreign Minister stressed the necessity of partnership with civil society, with all its components, in all stages of development planning and implementation and in accountability and correction to make national strategies more comprehensive for all segments of society.
Her Excellency noted the consensus of the Arab countries during the workshops organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), to focus on the independence of thought and research centers in the countries of the region and the need to provide the funding and resources required for these centers.
HE Assistant Foreign Minister concluded her speech by referring to the Arab countries' agreement on the importance of developing government institutions, providing them with capacities, and supporting them with partnerships, to ensure their readiness to adapt to and respond to emergency conditions and crises.
HE Vice-President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council Omar Hilali, HE Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare of the Republic of Zimbabwe Paul Mavima, HE Minister of International Trade and Foreign Investment of the Republic of Cuba Rodrigo Malmierca, HE Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the UN in Geneva Vaqif Sadiqov, and HE Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Samantha Jayasuriya participated in the session.