New York – Information Office – 29 September
The State of Qatar stressed Saturday its continued efforts with the United Nations Friends of the Alliance of Civilizations group to build bridges between all and achieve peace.
This came in a statement read by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi at a meeting of the Friends of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, which was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and discussed how to use soft power to promote a culture of peace.
His Excellency said that The State of Qatar, in its belief in peace and the importance of promoting constructive understanding and dialogue among civilizations and promoting the values of tolerance and cooperation between religions and cultures, has established national institutions to promote the culture of peace and acceptance of the other. It also established institutions to combat extremism and renounce violence. He gave examples of those institutions in Hamad Bin Khalifa Civilization Center in Denmark and Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, both of which contributed to international efforts of promoting peaceful co-existence among religions.
He noted in that regard to the role of Qatar Committee for Alliance of Civilizations, which plays an active role in promoting a culture of dialogue and peace at the national level. He added that the Committee cooperates with institutions and organizations in the State to implement the objectives of the Alliance.
The State of Qatar has pledged this year to support the 8th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, to be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on November 19, with $1.5 million as the sponsor of the forum.
He praised the international efforts aimed at promoting a culture of peace, dialogue, understanding and cooperation between religions and cultures, and the determination of the international community to confront all obstacles to achieving peace and security in the world.
His Excellency expressed the satisfaction of The State of Qatar with the fact that the meeting is focusing on soft power, saying that the country is the most prominent example of adopting soft power and using its capabilities to build and promote peace, thanks to the vision of its leadership, which believes in the common destiny of humanity and supports change and modernization, as well as the respect for international law. His Excellency stressed that The State of Qatar has followed a creative, impartial and credible foreign policy through the soft means it has adopted in its international relations, to bridge relations between the parties and reduce tensions in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations related to the peaceful resolution of disputes.
He pointed out that Qatar has played a leading role in cooperation with Member States and United Nations bodies in establishing the global alliance to report progress in achieving the sixteenth goal of the United Nations Plan for Sustainable Development, which aspires to promote societies that are peaceful, just and inclusive.
He also emphasized the State of Qatar's belief that international law and the rule of law were a source of stability, security and peace for the international community, since the world could not achieve security and peace without complying with the provisions and principles of international law and the rule of law.
HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said that education is one of the most important means of building peace. He pointed out that Qatar has launched many educational initiatives at the national, regional and international levels that benefited millions of children and youth deprived of education. He also reflected on the big achievement of Education Above All Foundation, which was done in partnership with UNICEF and more than 80 global partners, in providing quality education to 10 million school-deprived children in more than 50 countries around the world, including areas affected by armed conflict. That announcement was made by President of the Qatar Foundation HH Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser announced during a ceremony held at the New York Library in April this year, he added.
He also referred to Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), which plays a role to promote stability and peace in countries facing development challenges, through fruitful partnerships to contribute to the development plans of the countries concerned.
The minister of state then discussed the role of Qatari charities operating in many countries and conflict areas to provide relief to civilians and alleviate their suffering.
He noted that Qatar's hosting of the 2022 World Cup as a means of promoting communication and rapprochement between cultures and peoples, eliminating divisions and differences, and promoting the values of dialogue and achieving the peace desired by humankind.