New York: Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General H E Stephane Dujarric, stressed that the participation of H H the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) reflects the commitment of the State of Qatar to the United Nations and its keenness on achieving the goals of the international organization.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency, he said that Qatar has long participated in the meetings of the United Nations with the highest levels of representation, which helped demonstrate over the years the role the State plays and the support it provides to the UN. This is in terms of financing, development support or assistance to least developed countries.
He highlighted the “the critical political role that Qatar has played on the issue of Afghanistan, or on issues less visible sometimes like Chad, or the bridge builder between Iran and the West as a geographical and diplomatic bridge builder. Qatar has really played a central role for the for us at the United Nations.”
He also affirmed the appreciation and gratitude of the United Nations to Qatar for its mediation in many regional and global conflicts, and, in this context, reiterated thanks to the State of Qatar for its assistance in evacuating United Nations staff from Kabul more than a year ago.
“I think the Secretary general was very moved by the Amir and the government’s assistance in that regard. There’s of course the continued role that Qatar plays in terms of being the bridge between the de facto authorities in Kabul and the rest of the world. Qatar is sort of a diplomatic hub for Afghanistan. We know a number of embassies who moved from Kabul to Doha, and that’s been extremely important and that is something we have taken advantage of,” he added.
The spokesperson also commended the Qatari mediation in Chad, saying that it shows the importance of the country to the peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts. “I think the efforts of Qatar in Chad, in Afghanistan and on Iran, on trying to diffuse the tension between Iran, the international community are invaluable.”
The UN official also expressed his belief that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will be a great edition of the competition, noting that UN agencies are cooperating with Qatar to use the World Cup a platform promoting sustainable development goals and understanding.
“Sports is a great unifier. It will have countries that barely speak to each other within the halls of the United Nations,” he added.
“I have no doubt that the World Cup will go off amazingly well. I think Qatar has shown to be a wonderful host for diplomatic initiatives and I have no doubt it will be a wonderful host for this global event. Really, there is no event like the World Cup,” Dujarric said. He also expressed his hope that his country France will win the World Cup, but also wished that the Qatari team makes a strong showing during the competition.
On the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, and the most prominent issues on the agenda, the Spokesman said that the General Assembly is being held this year in light of a crisis affecting the world, and that the United Nations is the place where crises are resolved, and that countries come to it to sit at the negotiating table.
He pointed out that Ukraine will be at the top of the Assembly’s agenda, particularly the effects of the ongoing war in the country on the global economy, energy prices, food prices, fertilizers, and climate change.
