Doha: The State of Qatar expressed its hope that the 5th UN Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC5), which will be inaugurated Sunday in Doha, will constitute a milestone toward fulfilling the commitment of the Doha Program of Action toward the least developed countries (LDCs) and gathering to strengthen cooperation and partnerships with LDCs, considering the conference a historical opportunity for participating parties to reaffirm their commitment to constructive cooperation and multilateral action, and to support the LDCs in addressing the grave challenges.
This came in the speech of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani before the Summit of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group on the sidelines of the LDC5 conference, with the participation of HE President of the Republic of Malawi and Chair of the LDC Group under the UN Lazarus Chakwera, HE UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and a number of representatives of the countries participating in the conference and the international organization.
His Excellency indicated that the State of Qatar's initiative to host the LDC5 conference from March 5-9, stemmed from its belief in the need to pay more attention to responding to the needs of the LDCs.
The Minister added that the participants have a historical opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to constructive cooperation and multilateral action, support the LDCs in addressing the grave challenges, and continue the positive momentum and spirit of solidarity that characterized the unanimous adoption of the Doha Program of Action.
He stressed that interpreting the overall ambitious promises, measures, and commitments of the Doha Program of Action into practical actions and achieving the desired transformation in the lives of LDCs people, would be the criterion for the participants' collective success as an international community in this endeavor.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed the State of Qatar's aspiration that the coming five days, and what they represent of a once-in-a-decade historical opportunity, be a chance for hope and change, and express the sincere desire for meaningful collective change.
His Excellency added that the State of Qatar has no doubt that through the participants' collective cooperation, the LDC5 would be a significant turning point in responding to the aspirations of the peoples of LDCs that deserve full commitment and solidarity.
His Excellency stressed the State of Qatar's keenness to continue supporting the LDCs, in cooperation with its partners around the world.
In this regard, His Excellency pointed out the allocation of a large part of the State of Qatar's international development assistance to these countries, based on its firm policy and belief in the action based on cooperation and partnership with the international community.
At the beginning of his speech, HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs thanked HE the President of the Republic of Malawi for his kind invitation to convene this summit and expressed his appreciation for His Excellency's tireless and commendable efforts in leading the LDC group.
HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs also thanked HE UN Secretary-General for his valuable participation in this summit, which is a clear example of the great importance the UN organization attaches to supporting the needs and priorities of the LDCs, pointing to the appreciation of the State of Qatar for the initiatives and unremitting efforts made by the organization in this regard.
His Excellency stressed Doha's pride in holding the presidents and heads of government of the LDCs at whom the State of Qatar is proud to have relations with their fraternal and friendly countries.
