Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Inaugurates Hall at the UN Palace in Geneva

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Inaugurates Hall at the UN Palace in Geneva

Geneva – Information Office - November 12

HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi inaugurated Tuesday "Hall 19" at the United Nations Palace in Geneva after it was renovated and modernized with support from the State of Qatar valued 22 million Swiss francs.

The ceremony was attended by HE Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva Tatiana Valovaya, HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Office in Geneva Ali Khalfan Al Mansouri and a number of high-ranking officials and guests.

In a speech during the inauguration ceremony, HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi underlined that the contribution of the State of Qatar to the renovation of the Hall comes in the framework of promoting the strategic partnership with the United Nations, and to contribute effectively to enabling it to achieve its lofty goals of maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, achieving international cooperation to solve the economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems, and finding appropriate solutions to the challenges and crises facing the world.

HE Al Muraikhi noted that important agreements were signed on the sidelines of Doha Forum in December 2018, including a financial contribution of $500 million over several years to support and fund the work of the United Nations and its bodies and agencies, in the framework of strengthening the relations and the strategic partnership between the State of Qatar and the United Nations.

His Excellency said that the State of Qatar endeavors to enhance its hosting of the offices and missions of the United Nations and other international organizations and to provide all the necessary requirements to enable them to carry out their tasks and activities in the best possible manner, noting that efforts are continuing to open the "UN House" in Doha, which includes representative offices for a number of UN agencies. He pointed out that many international organizations and institutions have expressed their desire to strengthen their presence in the State of Qatar, which will reflect positively on supporting the regional and global efforts and activities.

Since the accession of the State of Qatar to the United Nations in 1971, the Qatari diplomacy has been keen on contributing to the success of the objectives of this international organization, HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs underlined, noting that the State of Qatar as played a pivotal role in promoting world peace and development by contributing to all efforts to meet global and regional challenges and ease tensions in international relations. Qatar's most prominent efforts include the promotion of dialogue and understanding at the international level, the support of various human rights issues, the provision of various forms of humanitarian and development support, the mediation of many disputes and differences through peaceful means and the convergence of views between the parties to conflicts.

HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi expressed delight to celebrate the opening of Hall 19 at the United Nations Palace, following the renovation and furnishing work that took place on the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the State of Qatar and the United Nations Office at Geneva in November 2017, which will contribute to the realization of the strategic heritage plan of the United Nations that will lead to the complete renovation of the United Nations Palace in Geneva by 2023.

He expressed appreciation and thanks to all those who contributed to the accomplishment of this remarkable work, especially the engineering office responsible for implementation, noting that the design of the Hall, which was named Qatar Hall, took into account the nature of the Qatari environment and the ideals of the United Nations in a manner that promotes the fundamental principles of unity, equality and cooperation.

His Excellency said that the provision of a modern and sophisticated room to suit all participants, including those with special needs, would ensure that the international community benefited from working in an effective, safe and fully accessible environment for future international conferences, which would also support the strengthening of Geneva's international status as a city that is often restored to in order to find effective solutions to the many global challenges in an atmosphere of diplomacy and bilateral and multilateral negotiations.

HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi reiterated the State of Qatar's continued support to the United Nations system to enable it to carry out its tasks and strengthen its role as a key and effective forum to address the challenges facing the world today.

Hall 19 is the second largest meeting hall in the United Nations after the General Assembly Hall in Geneva. It accommodates 888 seats, 60% of which can accommodate people with special needs.

While honoring the work of Charlotte Perriand in the original design of Building E at the end of the 1960s, the Hall 19 design combines the ideals of the United Nations with Qatar's unique culture while promoting the fundamental principles of unity, equality and cooperation.

The Hall is specially designed to reduce maintenance, maximize sustainability and increase accessibility, comprehensiveness and comfort. It uses a daily photovoltaic system, maintains high-performance audio capabilities and is accessible by a wheelchair. The Hall is also the first of its kind equipped with sign language interpretation with high-resolution screens and audio-visual screens supporting advanced interpretation systems, in order to promote dialogue and exchange among nations.