Cancun / Information Office / May 26
HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi took part in the of the Fifth Edition of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction held in Cancun.
Addressing the Forum, HE Al Muraikhi stressed Qatar's keenness on sustainable human development issues as one of the pillars of its National Vision 2030.
The State of Qatar attaches great importance to enhancing partnership with specialized development agencies and building national capacities, including the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), the Minister said, referring in this regard to the efforts being exerted by Qatar to launch of the HOPEFOR Initiative in 2011 as an outstanding example of international partnership in this field along with the General Assembly Resolution 307 on improving the effectiveness and coordination of military and civil defence assets for natural disaster response.
The HOPEFOR Initiative was presented by the State of Qatar, the Republic of Turkey and the Dominican Republic followed by the Doha international Conference to discuss the concept of this initiative, Al Muraikhi said.
Preparedness and response to both moth natural and man-made and natural disasters are among the most important means of preserving national resources and achievements, he said, stressing Qatar's support for the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and its global targets.
Qatar pays particular attention to sustainable human development issues as one of the pillars of its national vision 2030 and within its ongoing great efforts at the legislative and institutional levels, he went on saying.
In this context, HE Al Muraikhi pointed out that Qatar has enacted major laws and regulations on disaster risk reduction and established a number of national institutions and entities such as the Permanent Committee for Emergency (PCE) aimed at ensuring the safety and security according to international standards and strengthening competency and capacity of rescue personnel.
The State of Qatar has established the Standing Committee for rescue and relief work and humanitarian assistance in the affected areas of sisterly and friendly countries, governmental humanitarian bodies, associations, non-governmental institutions and donor institutions, which directly provide support and relief to all countries affected by natural disasters or conflicts, he said.
The State of Qatar spares no effort to provide all humanitarian relief and development assistance in all regions of the world, he stressed.
The Third Arab Preparatory Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction was hosted by Qatar on April 30 - May 1 2017 under the theme 'Implementing the Sendai Framework in the Arab Region' in coordination with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the League of Arab States, he added.
The adoption of the international community's Sustainable Development Plan 2030 is considered as an added value and an opportunity to enhance international efforts to reduce disaster risk, he went on saying.
Given the unequal potential and capabilities of States to address disasters and their consequences, HE Al Muraikihi urged strengthening development partnerships within the international cooperation framework of sharing experiences and good practices, transfer of technology and providing developing countries with adequate resources to enhance their efforts in disaster risk reduction in accordance with the 17th Global target of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, which calls for strengthening means of implementation and the revitalization of the Global Partnership set by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals depend on a balanced effort between the three sectors of social, economic and environmental development, he said, stating that national strategies should include risk reduction and emergency preparedness programs and activities based on a compatible legislation, economic and institutional structure supported by resources, taking into account the social aspect and the preservation of the environment.
HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi called on the international community to exert more efforts and cooperate to preserve a common destiny and face challenges of crises and natural disasters in order to achieve stability, peace and development in the world.