Qatar has become a reliable, global platform for hosting important events either related to international diplomacy, conflict resolution or pertaining to health, technology, tourism among other areas.
Under the auspices of the United Nations, Qatar hosted the 2nd meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan with the participation of Secretary-General of the United Nations H E Antonio Guterres. The meeting reiterates Qatar’s commitment to support the people of Afghanistan and its sincere aspiration to advance the partnership in Afghanistan.
Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres has said that the meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan has reached a consensus on proposals from a UN independent assessment on Afghanistan. Guterres said that the assessment recommended the appointment of a UN special envoy. He said that he would begin a serious process of consultations to see if there are conditions to create a UN envoy.
“The proposed envoy could have a coordinating role in the country and work effectively with the de facto authorities of Afghanistan,” he said while addressing a press conference yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Doha Global South Health Policy Initiative was also launched yesterday to develop a collaborative platform for countries in the Global South to address their healthcare challenges and find actionable solutions.
The Middle East Council on Global Affairs (ME Council) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar launched the initiative, in the presence of Minister of Public Health.
Over two days the inception convening in Doha will define the initiative’s overall strategy, with inputs from representatives of Low- to Middle- Income Countries (LMICs), international experts, and representatives of key Qatari stakeholders including the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qatar Fund for Development, Qatar University, and Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
By facilitating dialogue and knowledge-sharing, Doha Global South Health Policy Initiative aims to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addressing unmet healthcare needs in LMICs through both technical expertise and financial support.
Qatar also hosted 8th Meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Tourism Ministers. Asserting the role of tourism in diversifying the GCC countries’ sources of income, Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General, H E Jassim Mohamed Al Bedawi stressed the significance of tourism as a key driver of economic and social development. Al Bedawi highlighted the importance of enhancing tourism cooperation and formulating joint strategies to leverage the region’s rich historical, natural, and cultural resources.
