Doha / Information Office / March 22
The State of Qatar took part in the virtual UN General Assembly High-level Meeting on the Implementation of the Water-Related Goals and Targets of the 2030 Agenda.
The delegation of the State of Qatar to the meeting was chaired by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi.
In the statement of the State of Qatar to meeting, HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said that the State of Qatar gives a priority to the issue of water as it constitutes a vital element that is indispensable for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, therefore the State has aligned the goals and objectives of the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan with the goals of the National Development Strategy 2018-2022.
HE the Minister noted that the State of Qatar was keen on ensuring water saving through an integrated and sustainable management of water resources, the optimal use of water, achieving efficiency in providing high-quality water from desalination plants and groundwater using modern technologies, and activating international partnerships.
Within the framework of the efforts and keenness of the State of Qatar to fulfill its obligations in implementing the 2030 Agenda, the second National Voluntary Review presented by the State of Qatar during the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2018 gave an overview of the hard work and the progress made by the State to implement the Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 6 which is concerned with ensuring availability and sustainable
management of water and sanitation for all, HE the Minister added.
In addition, within the framework of the State of Qatar's keenness on fulfilling its obligations as an active partner in the international community and in view of the disastrous effects of desertification on countries suffering from this phenomenon, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani launched an initiative to establish the Global Dryland Alliance which aims to achieve food security in drought-stricken countries, HE Minister Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi said.
He noted that the Alliance agreement was concluded in Doha in 2017, and the Alliance gained observer status in the United Nations General Assembly in December 2020, looking forward to this Alliance achieving its desired goals.
HE underlined that the State of Qatar is an active member of the Group of Friends of Water, and also joined the International Steering Committee of the International High-Level Conference on International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development" which was held in Tajikistan in 2018.
HE reiterated that the State of Qatar will remain an active partner in facing common challenges, and will continue to support all international efforts to provide water as a source of life and development.
HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi extended thanks to HE President of UN General Assembly for holding this meeting which reflects the commitment of the international community to make efforts to enhance the pace of progress towards achieving water-related goals and objectives by 2030.