Geneva, 28 Sept. 2024

' The year 2024 marks the twentieth anniversary of the issuance of the Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar, We, as Qataris, are proud of what our constitution included in terms of a wide scope for the rule of law, justice, peace and human rights for all, including women and children, said Dr. Mohammed bin Saif Al-Kuwari, Vice-Chairman, National Human Rights Committee of Qatar (NHRC).

He was addressing at an exhibition organised by NHRC Qatar on the sidelines of the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva under the title 'Promoting and protecting the rights of women and children in times of armed conflict'. Present on the occasion were Mrs. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al-Misnad'; Dr. Hind Al-Muftah, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations; and a group of representatives of diplomatic missions in Geneva.

AlKuwari further said that Qatari constitution has translated our hopes and aspirations to build a modern state that seeks to achieve peace and sustainable development for its people generation after generation. Today, Qatar is participating with the United Nations in efforts to promote peace, sustainable development and human dignity for current and future generations, and believes that the future of humanity is conditional on international cooperation, respect for international law and leaving no one behind.

He added that international reports and studies have shown that armed conflicts undermine human rights, and that women and children, including girls, are their most prominent victims.

He referred a report released by UNICEF for 2022 disclosed that 104,100 children were killed and injured in armed conflict situations between 2005 and 2020. The United Nations Women's Organization also verified 2,455 cases of sexual violence related to armed conflict in 2022, other than those cases not reported.

he said that that witnesses incidents of violence targeting women around the world increased by 16.1 times between 2005 and 2020, and that more than half of them occurred in countries affected by armed conflicts, one of the reasons in increase is since 2022 after the outbreak of conflicts in Ukraine, Palestine, Sudan and others.

He pointed out that 70% of the victims of wars in the Arab region are women and children as per  the report prepared by the United Nations Women's Organization and the Arab Women's Organization.

Al-Kuwari said that the NHRC has developed a list of recommendations promoting and protecting the rights of women and children in times of armed conflict and beyond.

He added that NHRC aims to establish a culture of peace, human rights and the rule of law, including the principles of justice, tolerance, accountability and non-impunity, most notably contributing to supporting and building the capacities of Arab national human rights institutions in areas of armed conflict, such as Palestine, Sudan, Libya and Iraq.

He stressed on building a national mechanism to protect rights holders, including vulnerable groups such as women, children, minorities, refugees and human rights defenders. And following up on the conditions of civilians evacuated from Afghanistan in 2021, and from Palestine in 2024, to Doha, including women and children, and ensuring that they enjoy food, health and educational relief.

NHRC Qatar Vice-Chairman added that the rights of women and children in areas of armed conflict, especially Palestine, were main topics during International Conference on Food Justice from a Human Rights Perspective in 2024, and in Regional Symposium on Protecting the Rights of the Elderly in Conflict Zones, including Palestine in 2024.

Talking about the exhibition, Dr. Al-Kuwari explained that there are creative works in Arabic calligraphy on  Human Rights in Islamic Culture based on Quranic verses and hadiths contemporary with human rights principles adopted 1400 years ago, almost hundreds of years before the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The exhibition of human rights paintings in Islamic culture has been organized since 2009 in many European and Arab capitals, including Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Athens, Brussels, Washington, Tunisia, Kuwait, in addition to organizing the exhibition at the United Nations headquarters in New York and Geneva.

About 2nd exhibition, Al Kuwari said that paintings display about human rights in sports. Initially, this exhibition was launched by NHRC before FIFA World Cup 2022 at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, and in Algeria at the Sheraton Gardens throughout the days of the tournament.

The aim of this exhibition is to spread the culture of human rights during sports competitions and to spread the values ​​of tolerance and reject violence, racism and hate speech during the practice of sports and cheering. It also guarantees the rights of people with disabilities and the elderly to access stadiums

 

 

Geneva, 28 Sept. 2024 (Xinhua)

China offers 'the prime example' of the success of the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a global trade driver, WTO Chief Economist Ralph Ossa told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Through a series of successful measures in economic growth and trade, the Chinese government has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, Ossa noted.

China is an example of how trade-led development can transform a country, showing that developing countries worldwide can break free from poverty by leveraging international trade, he said.

In the 2024 edition of the World Trade Report released on Monday, the WTO presented strong evidence that trade has played a crucial role in narrowing income disparities and improving the inclusiveness of the global economy.

The report noted that between 1996 and 2021, a high trade share of GDP was strongly linked to faster growth in low- and middle-income economies, helping them narrow the gap in GDP per capita with high-income economies.

In its annual trade outlook report published in April this year, the WTO estimated that global trade volume in merchandise could increase by 2.6 percent in 2024 and 3.3 percent in 2025.

However, Ossa warned that global trade faces both cyclical and structural challenges. Cyclic challenges mainly refer to the impact of trade on the macroeconomic situation, with trade performance, particularly in Europe, being lower than expected; structural challenges stem largely from geopolitical tensions that create trade frictions.

In the face of the above challenges, strengthening the global supply chain is vital to international trade, Ossa said, adding that the trade facilitation measures taken by China, such as organizing the China International Import Expo and China International Supply Chain Expo are conducive to global trade.

Speaking of rising trade protectionism, Ossa said that "less trade will not promote inclusiveness ... true inclusiveness demands a comprehensive strategy, one that integrates open trade, on the one hand, with supportive domestic policies and effective international cooperation on the other hand."

He believes that tariffs are usually not the best tool to protect workers. The WTO report suggests using supportive domestic policies to help workers achieve employment opportunities, which is "a more effective approach than protectionism."

Efforts should be made in three aspects to ensure that more economies benefit from international trade: to strengthen the implementation of relevant WTO agreements, to update the WTO rulebook to adapt to future development trends, and to strengthen information sharing, said Ossa.

He called for an open, predictable and non-discriminatory trading system with broad participation from all countries, adding that globalization is the prescription for dealing with the fragmentation trend that currently threatens the global economy.

"By expanding trade integration to more economies, to more people, and towards more issues, I believe that we can make trade part of the solution to the most pressing challenges of our time," Ossa said.

New York, 27 Sept 2024 (APP)

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today on Friday warned the world community that the illegal occupation of Palestine and Kashmir was creating a 'fresh hell' every day and stressed the efforts for dispute resolution besides addressing the global challenges of terrorism, climate change and Islamophobia.

He said that illegal occupation creates a fresh hell, every day, in the killing fields of Palestine, and in occupied Jammu and Kashmir… Can we turn a blind eye to the mothers, cradling the lifeless bodies of their children ? This is not just a conflict; this is systematic slaughter of innocent people; an assault on the very essence of human life and dignity. The blood of Gaza’s children stains the hands of not just the oppressors, but also of those who are complicit in prolonging this cruel conflict,” he told the annual 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) here.

The prime minister, in his 21-minute address at the 193-member Assembly, touched on multiple regional and international issues including Palestine and Kashmir disputes, Ukraine war, climate change, rising poverty and debt burden particularly induced by climate change impacts.

Prime Minister Shehbaz called upon the international community’s action to demand an immediate end to the bloodshed, as work for a durable peace through a viable, secure, contiguous and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its eternal Capital.

Before the gathering of the global leaders, Prime Minister Shehbaz also highlighted the sufferings of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and said that India had resiled from commitments to implement the UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir which mandated a plebiscite to enable the Kashmiri people to exercise their fundamental right to self-determination.

Since 5 August 2019, India has initiated unilateral illegal steps to impose what its leaders ominously call, a 'Final Solution' for Jammu and Kashmir. Nine hundred thousand Indian troops terrorize the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, with draconian measures, including prolonged curfews, extra-judicial killings and the abduction of thousands of young Kashmiris'.

He highlighted the Indian nefarious designs of seizing Kashmiri lands and properties, and settling outsiders into occupied Jammu and Kashmir, to transform the Muslim-majority into a minority.

The Pakistan delegation to the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, walked out on Friday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the stage to address the 193-member Assembly.

Among others who boycotted Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu address also included Arab Countries, Brazil, Iran, Turkey, Botswana,  Columbia, Chile, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau among many others. It served as a strong gesture of protest to the presence of  Netanyahu, whom the UN organs and human rights bodies have accused of being responsible for carrying out a massacre of the Palestinian people in its deadly war in Gaza.

Meanwhile, criticism has arisen over allowing the UN address by Netanyahu, for whom International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan is seeking an arrest warrant for 'war crimes'.

Official News Agency of Rurkiye, Anadolu reported that Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short his trip to New York on Friday evening following an unprecedented airstrike by his country's army on Lebanon's capital.

A statement by his office indicated that Netanyahu took off from New York at 1 p.m. EDT. Netanyahu's office released a photo for him inside his office at the UN headquarters in New York while using a landline telephone to approve the strike on Beirut.

Bangkok, 24 Sept. 2024

Mrs. Maryam bint Abdullah Al-Attiyah, Chairperson, Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) and the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar announced that GANHRI will release a statement ahead of the Future Summit in New York City, which will host world leaders this week.

She emphasized the need for governments to reaffirm their dedication to human rights, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the United Nations Charter, urging the establishment of a revitalized multilateral system focused on enhancing people's quality of life.

Al-Attiyah also called on national human rights institutions to collaborate with their governments in discussing the significance of human rights in the implementation of the upcoming 'Future Charter'.

This announcement was made during Al-Attiyah’s virtual address at the 29th Annual General Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Forum, taking place in Bangkok from September 24 to 25. She highlighted that the Future Summit presents a unique opportunity for participating nations to strengthen cooperation, set clear objectives, and outline essential measures to safeguard the rights and interests of future generations.

Al-Attiyah stressed the importance of collaboration among national human rights institutions to effectively address contemporary challenges, including crises, climate change, and diminishing civil space. She pointed out that the interconnected risks we face today threaten peace and security globally, emphasizing the urgent need to defend fundamental rights in a world marked by discrimination and inequality.

Furthermore, she reaffirmed the Global Alliance's commitment to support its members in navigating these complex challenges, asserting that the collective strength of the alliance is key to identifying practical solutions for national institutions across regions.

In Geneva, the Human Rights Council is discussing crucial initiatives regarding national human rights institutions, focusing on issues like disabilities and monitoring mechanisms. Al-Attiyah urged national institutions to engage with their governments to achieve significant outcomes.

Additionally, she noted that the Copenhagen-Kiev Declaration, adopted during last year's International Conference, commits members to combat torture and ill-treatment. The Global Alliance is implementing a work program to support these efforts, coinciding with the upcoming fortieth anniversary of the United Nations Convention Against Torture in 2024.

Al-Attiyah also highlighted the importance of addressing climate change impacts on human rights and announced preparations for COP29 in Baku.

Asia Pacific Forum promote the establishment of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in the Asia Pacific and support its members to be as effective as possible.

Asia Pacific Forum founded in 1996,  brings together National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from all corners of the Asia Pacific to address some of the most serious human rights challenges in our region.

Drawing on 28 years of human rights experience, a commitment to innovation and an outcomes-based approach to its work, its expertise lies in supporting the establishment of NHRIs and strengthening the capacity of its members to carry out their vital work.

We also work closely with governments, civil society organizations, regional human rights bodies, and the international community to build strong partnerships and strengthen the impact of our members as they work to build fair, inclusive, and resilient communities.

The Forum provides a comprehensive suite of programs and services, as well as contributing the collective voice of its members to discussion of human rights issues at the regional and international levels.

New York, 23 Sept. 2024 (QNA)

The Amir of State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani participated in the opening session of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), held in New York. Present on the occasion were their Majesties; Highnesses; head of states and governments, heads of delegations; governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Among Qatari delegation included were Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani;  and members of the official delegation accompanying HH the Amir.

Following is the speech delivered by The Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani at the opening session of the 79th United Nations General Assembly:

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Your Excellency! President of the General Assembly;  Your Excellency! Secretary-General of the United Nations;  Hon. audience, May the peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you.

At the outset, I would like to congratulate HE Mr. Philemon Yang on assuming the presidency of the 79th session of the General Assembly, wishing him every success in his tasks. And I express appreciation to HE Mr. Dennis Francis for his efforts during his presidency of the previous session. And we commend the prominent role played by HE Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, in strengthening its role and achieving its lofty goals.

Mr. President !

The blatant aggression that befalls the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip today is the most barbaric, heinous and extensive in breaching human values, international charters and norms. This is not a war within the international relations’ well-known and common concept of war, but rather a crime of genocide by means of using the most sophisticated weapons against a people besieged in a detention camp where there is no escape from the barrage of aerial bombing.

Verily, the resolutions, condemnations and reports have been exhausted, and nothing is left behind except the undeterred, ongoing and premeditated stark crime, that victimizes children, women and the elderly. We oppose violence and the targeting of innocent civilians by any party, but after a year of the war, and with all that has been and is still being perpetrated in it, it is no longer tenable to talk about Israel's right to defend itself in this context without being complicit in justifying the crime.

It is no longer plausible for any official to claim that he does not know, thanks to the well-known facts and reports issued by international organizations about the bombing of schools and hospitals and weaponizing access to food and medicine, in addition to the published and publicly uttered intentions of Israeli leaders. Therefore, the failure to intervene to stop the aggression is a major scandal.

Ladies and Gentlemen !

Every year I stand on this podium and begin my speech by talking about the Palestinian cause, the absence of justice, the perils of believing that it can be neglected, and the illusions of making peace without a just solution. I have done so every year at a time when the Palestinian cause has become absent from the speeches of major powers’ representatives in our world. There are those who are tempted by the possibility of either marginalizing this issue to get rid of its burden, or seeing it vanished without resolving it, but the Palestinian cause is resistant to marginalization, because it is an issue of indigenous people on their own land and who are subjected to a settler-colonial occupation.

This occupation has taken the form of an apartheid system in the 21st century. Can this be overlooked ? The Palestinian cause will remain lingering in place, except in two cases, either the end of the occupation, or the disappearance of the Palestinian people. However, it seems that there are those in Israel who entertain wishful thinking to eliminate this people.

The ongoing Israeli aggression for nearly a year is nothing but a result of the absence of a sincere political will, deliberate international failure to resolve the Palestinian issue with a just solution, and insistence of the occupying Israeli authorities to impose a fait accompli on the Palestinians and the world with all types of force.

The ongoing brutal war has fired the coup de grace at international legitimacy and inflicted serious damage on the credibility of the post-World War II concepts on which the international community was founded. As if the dire consequences of this approach, which are visible before our eyes, are not enough to prove that ignoring a just solution is conducive to disaster, we discover, to our disbelief, that some are still trying to find innovative measures to run Gaza after the war, with or without an authority, only on the basis of security considerations (and what is meant in this respect, of course, is the security of the occupation, not the security of those who are languishing under the occupation itself).

It is the same mindset that led from one disaster to another. It is the approach that wants to tailor the entire region to fit Israel’s size, while looking for circumventions to avoid ending the occupation and work on imposing the rule of one people over another by force. Is it reasonable that even after this disaster, the major countries with the ability to influence the course of events are unable to reach a conclusion of the necessity to stop the war and pivot towards a just solution immediately instead of innovatively working on formulations to evade it ?

The end of the occupation and the Palestinian people exercising their right to self-determination is neither a favor nor a gift from anyone. Unfortunately, the Security Council has failed to implement its ceasefire resolution in the Gaza Strip and to refrain from granting the state of Palestine full membership status in the United Nations despite the General Assembly's adoption of a resolution supporting Palestine's request for UN membership last May.

The state of Palestine's full UN membership neither establishes its sovereignty nor ends the occupation, but at least sends a message to the far-right government involved in challenging international legitimacy, that force does not eliminate rights. Talking about such a step harming the peace process is simply eyewash, because there is no Israeli partner for peace during the current government's tenure, and no peace process taking place, but rather a genocide.

In this regard, we highly value the position of the countries that recognized the State of Palestine based on 1967 borders. The continuation of the humanitarian tragedy of the brotherly Palestinian people for more than seven and a half decades is a shameful stain on the conscience of the international community and its institutions. There is no point in talking about security, peace, and stability in the Middle East region and across the world if not backed by concrete steps leading to an immediate ceasefire and an end to the Israeli occupation of all Arab territories.

Honorable Audience !

It is no secret that we are facing a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and other Palestinian territories, which are subjected to coordinated attacks by the occupation army and settlers in an attempt to enforce plans to expand settlements, annex the West Bank, and Judaize Jerusalem. The international community bears responsibility for the consequences of what is happening to the brotherly Palestinian people who are subjected to unfolding genocidal war that has resulted, so far, in the death of more than 41 thousand martyrs, let alone the missing under the rubble, including seventeen thousand children, eleven thousand women and one hundred thousand wounded including thousands of disabled and millions of people who were forcibly displaced several times, in addition to the complete destruction of the infrastructure of hospitals, schools and buildings including mosques and churches.

A whole society is being destroyed in the course of the genocide against segments of the Palestinian people. It is the Gazan Palestinian community that has retained its composure and achieved remarkable development levels amid more than 17-year old stifling siege.

Mr. President !

The State of Qatar has opted for undertaking mediation efforts in an endeavor to stop the aggression on Gaza and secure the release of prisoners and detainees. It is a mediation amidst fierce war and complex circumstances, during which one party would not hesitate to assassinate counterpart political leaders with whom it negotiates, such as the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, who many people feign forgetfulness that he was not only the political leader of Hamas but also the first elected Palestinian prime minister.

For us mediation and humanitarian work are both a strategic political choice at the regional and international levels, and a humanitarian duty before being a political one. And we are not boastful of that vis-a-vis others. Our mediation efforts, in partnership with the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States of America, culminated in a humanitarian agreement last November. It resulted in a brief ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the release of 240 Palestinian prisoners and 109 of the detainees in Gaza, and increased the flow of relief shipments.

We also provided humanitarian support to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip, contributed to evacuating the wounded and sick, supporting humanitarian initiatives to deliver aid through all accessible routes, and increasing our support to UNRWA, an irreplaceable international agency whose services are indispensable and which has been subjected to a defamation for political purposes related to the Israeli government's desire to eliminate the refugee crisis without resolving Palestine cause.

The State of Qatar will spare no effort to provide various forms of humanitarian assistance to the brotherly Palestinian people until this crisis is resolved. Despite the daunting challenges, obstruction attempts, and the aspersions we are subjected to, we will continue our effort of mediation to resolve the disputes through peaceful means, as we are cognizant that any dispute will never lack a force interested in its continuation while being skeptical of any mediation regardless of the intentions.

We will continue to exert efforts with our partners until reaching a permanent ceasefire, securing the release of prisoners and detainees, taking the path of a just solution in accordance with the resolutions of the international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative, and enabling the Palestinian people to obtain all their legitimate rights, foremost of which is their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital on the 1967 borders.

The establishment of an independent Palestinian state within a just and permanent solution is in the interest of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. We will not achieve this goal except with a serious partner who is aware of the importance of renouncing discord and ending the occupation and all forms of aggression, so that we can reach together the desired peace in the Middle East.

Mr. President !

Apart from committing a major crime by rigging wireless communication devices and exploding them simultaneously across thousands of people with total disregard for their identity or location, Israel is currently waging a war on Lebanon and no one knows to what extent this war could escalate. This is what we have repeatedly warned against if the brutal war on Gaza doesn’t end.

This systematic destructive war must stop, and this is the choice before Israel as its leaders know very well. They know that it will neither bring security and peace to northern Israel nor to Lebanon, and that the key to security rests on a just peace.

Stop the aggression on Gaza! Stop the war on Lebanon. In brotherly Yemen, we look forward to preserving the 2022 truce and proceeding there from towards a comprehensive ceasefire, resolving the crisis, ensuring Yemen's unity and achieving the aspirations of its brotherly people, through negotiations between the Yemeni parties based on the outcomes of the national dialogue, the Gulf initiative and relevant Security Council resolutions.

As regards the crisis in Syria, and since the beginning of the crisis, the position of the State of Qatar has been clear that Qatar is keen on the interests of brotherly Syrian people, hoping that the parties and countries involved in the crisis will be convinced of the necessity for dialogue and understanding to end this crisis in accordance with the Geneva Declaration 1, and Security Council Resolution 2254, in a way that will achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people and preserve Syria's unity, sovereignty and independence.

Regarding the Sudanese issue, we call on all Sudanese parties to stop fighting, and we affirm our support for all regional and international efforts to end this crisis in a way that will ensure the unity of state institutions and the sovereignty and stability of Sudan.

In Libya, we support the political trajectory and the implementation of Security Council resolutions, and we urge all parties to recourse to dialogue and overcome differences in order to complete the comprehensive national reconciliation and preserve the progress and gains achieved on the security, political and economic tracks, and unify state institutions.

Arab countries cannot achieve security and stability without the existence of firmly established states capable of legislating and enforcing the law, developing and implementing national policies. No state can firmly be established and stable in the presence of armed factions that are not under its control. These are self evident and unquestionable matters.

Ladies and gentlemen!

The war between Russia and Ukraine has caused great human suffering and left repercussions on Europe and the world. We reiterate our call on all parties to implement the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and the rules of international law, and seek to find a peaceful solution, as the only possible solution.

In this context, and based on our firm belief in the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes, we have made a tangible contribution over the past year, as Qatari mediation led to prisoner swap between the United States and Venezuela; and dozens of Ukrainian children were reunited with their families after being separated by war.

Finally, we affirm that the State of Qatar will spare no effort in working with its international partners and the United Nations to firmly consolidate the pillars of peace, security, sustainable development, human rights and the rule of law at all levels and to address global challenges in order to achieve a better future for all.

Thank you, and may the peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you.

New York, 23 Sept 2024 (Anadolu)

The 79th UN General Assembly, deemed one of the largest global diplomatic events, will kick off Tuesday in New York.

The General Assembly is held annually at UN headquarters in New York, bringing together the heads of state and government of member states. It is to take place from Sept. 24-30.

The 79th session will be opened by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and will be chaired by Cameroonian President Philemon Yong. At least 133 heads of state and government, three vice presidents, 80 deputy prime ministers and 45 ministers are expected to attend.

In a tradition that has been maintained since 1955, Brazil will give the first speech after the presidents. After Brazil, the host country, the US, will take the floor.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will represent Türkiye and deliver his speech in the third row on the first day, following the US. Erdogan, who will address the General Assembly for the 14th time, is expected to draw attention to the situation in the Gaza Strip.

He is also expected to urge member states to stand against Israel's attacks.

iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, will address world leaders on Tuesday afternoon.

Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif will address the 193-member General Assembly on Sept 27, after going through a hectic round of engagements at the United Nations. He is scheduled to arrive today, Monday evening to lead Pakistan’s delegation at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Shehbaz Sharif said in a post on X that he would “present Pakistan’s perspective to the world, advocate our interests, and strengthen international partnerships”.

Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AlThani as reported by Qatar News Agency arrived today in New York. HH is expected to deliver a speech at the opening session on Tuesday. In his address, the Amir will address the constants of Qatar's policy, the state's positions towards contemporary challenges, and the most prominent local, Arab and international issues. Through his speech, the Amir of Qatar is also expected to renew Qatar's permanent commitment to working with the UN and strengthening partnership with its various agencies; so that common global challenges are confrontable and aspired goals are achievable.

 

Crises from Gaza to Haiti

UN leaders are meeting at a time when the number of crises, conflicts and wars is increasing. Thus, the number of crises from Gaza to Ukraine, and from Sudan to Haiti, are expected to be on the agenda.

It is expected that leaders will focus on Gaza, which the UN has previously described as 'hell on earth'.

In Gaza, along with emphasizing a cease-fire, member states are expected to highlight Israel’s violations of international law and UN resolutions, as well as the difficulties in delivering humanitarian aid to the region.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to speak the morning of Sept. 26, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled for the afternoon.

This year, the main theme of the UN General Assembly discussions is "Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations."

"Today's global order simply does not work for everyone. In fact, I would go further and say: it's not working for anyone," said Guterres. Therefore, it is expected that leaders will address the reform of the Security Council and the international financial architecture.

In addition to the high-level week, the "Summit of the Future" is to be held from Sept. 22-23, before the General Assembly. It will focus on adapting current international institutions to present-day challenges, while a high-level meeting on rising sea levels will discuss the fight against climate change.

Leaders are also expected to hold consultations on various issues such as sustainable development goals, antimicrobial resistance and nuclear disarmament.

Castro spoke for 296 minutes, Gaddafi for 100 minutes

General Assembly meetings have been held since 1946 since its establishment with 51 members. Leaders are expected to limit speeches to 15 minutes and touch on the main theme.

Many leaders' disregard for time limits, however, has led to memorable moments. One was Cuban President Fidel Castro’s 296-minute speech in 1960, followed by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s 100-minute address in 2009, where he tore up a page from the UN Charter.

Another notable moment from the General Assembly’s history is when former Soviet Union President Nikita Khrushchev banged the table with his fist and hit it with his shoe after becoming furious during a speech by the Philippines in 1960.

Former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s 2006 speech is also frequently referenced, where he called former US President George W. Bush, who had spoken a day earlier, "the devil."

In 2018, then-New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern attended the General Assembly with her 3-month-old baby, a moment that remains memorable.

Similarly, former US President Donald Trump's statement in 2017 that he would 'destroy North Korea', if necessary, also stands out. The General Assembly often sees delegations walking out of speeches that they "disapprove.”

Today, Turkish President Erdogan and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian held a closed-door meeting at the Turkish House on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York to discuss bilateral relations, Israel's attacks on Palestine and Lebanon, and well as regional and global developments.

It is "important" to take steps that serve peace against "Israel's aggression that threatens" regional security, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Today.

Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported that Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani;  President of the International Peace Institute, Prince Zeid bin Ra'ad Al Hussein;, and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell co-hosted on Sunday the 19th edition of the Ministerial Dinner on the Middle East, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) in New York.

During the ministerial dinner, the latest developments in the region and means to enhance regional security and stability were discussed.

Doha, 23 Sept. 2023

QatarEnergy has witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish Qatar Salt Products Company (QSalt).

This strategic partnership, an initiative by QatarEnergy’s TAWTEEN localization program, brought together Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Company (MPHC) (40% share), Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Co. (QIMC) (30% share), and the Turkiye’s Atlas Yatirim Planlama (30% share). The new joint venture will build a salt production plant in the Um Al Houl area in Qatar, to be operated by Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) and Qatar Vinyl Company (QVC).

Present on the occasion were Sa'ad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs, President and CEO of QatarEnergy; Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Jabr Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company (QIMC); Nusret Argun, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Atlas Yatirim Planlama; senior executives from QatarEnergy and the participating companies.

Sa'ad Al-Kaabi said on the occasion that 'We are pleased to witness the establishment of this very important joint venture that will help enhance Qatar’s self-sufficiency by producing both industrial and table salts to meet local demand and to support regional and international exports'.

He congratulated all partners and stakeholders in Qatar Salt Products Company on this achievement, which he believes will further support the supply chain and industrial localization in the State of Qatar, as well as promote sustainable environmental practices.

Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Jabr Al Thani expressed delight at being part of this pioneering project, the first of its kind in the region, which employs advanced technology to utilize brine from the desalination process. He praised QatarEnergy’s role in boosting private sector contribution to the national economy.

Nusret Argun of Atlas Yatirim Planlama, said, 'We are proud to have come to the realization phase of this project, which we have taken part in every stage. This facility will be the first facility of the Middle East region and it will serve localization and supply security by meeting both Industrial and Food-grade Salt needs. As a Turkish company in Qatar, we are pleased to be involved in such a project'.

The new plant, which will be built at an estimated cost of about one billion Qatari Riyals, will also produce industrial salts essential for the petrochemical industry, along with Bromine, Potassium Chlorides, and demineralized water, which will be produced at a later stage, contributing to product diversification and economic growth.

This innovative facility will utilize reject water recovery from reverse osmosis (RO) desalination units, transforming waste from desalination processes into a valuable resource. With a production capacity of one million tons per annum, the plant will significantly reduce Qatar’s reliance on imported raw materials, addressing the current import of approximately 850,000 tons of table and industrial salts annually.

As part of the TAWTEEN program, the project will benefit from initiatives designed to enhance local content and support the growth of domestic industries. This collaboration highlights a strong public-private partnership aimed at achieving key national objectives.

 

Doha, 21 Sept 2024

Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), a sister concern of Qatar Foundation (QF)  recently organized a three-day program to introduce university students to tech innovation and entrepreneurship.

Comprising a series of workshops focused on AI-based product development, the craft of pitching, as well as one-on-one mentorship, the program concluded with a first-of-its-kind ‘pitching’ competition held on a moving tram around QF’s Education City.

The first edition of the ‘QSTP Ride and Pitch’ program - open to QF partner universities - drew keen participation of students from Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q); Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q); Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar (WCM-Q); Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU); and Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ), representing different countries including Qatar, Egypt, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Morocco, and the US.

Throughout the program students learned about ways to develop and enhance their entrepreneurial ideas under the guidance of nine mentors,  including business founders, professors, senior researchers and consultants.

Among some of the mentors were Bashar Hudhud, Co-Founder of QSTP-incubated startup, Class Tap; Mohammed Zebian, Acceleration Program Manager, QSTP; and Rayane Fodil, Head of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Innovation Cafe Consultancy.

On the final day of the program, the students competed in a two-minute pitch in front of a panel of judges, three of whom were with the participants on the tram while two were watching live. The one-hour tram ride familiarized students with the thrill, unpredictability, and agility that startup founders often face as part of their journey.

One of the judges, Hamad Al Hajri, Founder & CEO of Snoonu, appreciated the initiative, saying he thoroughly enjoyed the pitching competition. “In the world of innovation, everything has to be innovative. The pitching competition  inside a tram is reflective of how startups are in real life. The constant movement including the shaking and bumping and students trying to balance themselves - this is what the startups experience on a daily basis”.

“I think most of us as judges came in thinking that we would inspire the participants but they actually inspired us. They have given us hope that there are many intelligent ideas from young people just waiting to be discovered. It is important that these young people have the resources and support they need not just from the government but also from the private sector to be able to flourish and benefit the local tech innovation ecosystem.”

Dr. Jack Lau, President of QSTP, said: “This was the most innovative pitching event that I have ever been to, taking advantage of what is indigenous to Qatar, QF, and Education City. I am grateful to QF for their support and equally  proud of our team for the organization of this wonderful event that presented students with a memorable experience.

“Pitching their ideas in an unconventional environment was part of the challenge participants had to face. We wanted this experience to be as near realistic as possible with unexpected and uncertain occurrences. For instance, there might have been an unstable internet connection or a noisy atmosphere but these were meant to be that way in order to throw a bit of a curveball at the participants, and they all did a wonderful job. We have received amazing feedback and are already preparing for the next, bigger edition of the program which we plan on opening up to all universities in Qatar.”

The first-place winner of the competition, Shugyla Karshygakyzy, a sophomore student from NU-Q, hailed the program as an ‘eye-opening experience.’ “I am grateful for the opportunity provided to us as part of the QSTP Ride and Pitch program. People around me were very supportive and encouraging. I truly appreciate the guidance I received from the mentors during the mentorship workshops as well as the opportunities to network and build connections.”

Shugyla’s idea is to leverage AI in a way that helps tackle the issue of low engagement, views and likes on Instagram and TikTok for content creators. She aims to create a platform that combines various AI tools that help with everything from content strategy and content editing to posting content on platforms. “For someone who doesn’t come from a strong tech background, it was amazing to learn from experts and see the possibility of turning my idea into reality." said Shugyla.

HBKU student Muhammad Saad and WCM-Q student Lujain Al-Emadi won second and third place respectively.

In addition to free mentorship hours with QSTP experts and a special booth at QSTP’s upcoming AI Week 2024, winners receive the opportunity to fast track to QSTP Innovation Programs to launch their startups and find relevant support. The first-place winner walked away with an iPad Pro while the second and third place winners received AirPods.

To learn more about QSTP programs, please visit: https://qstp.org.qa/.

Doha, 21 Sept. 2024

The 13th EU-GCC dialogues has provided further opportunity to prepare for the upcoming first-ever summit in history taking place in Brussels on October 16 at the level of heads of state and governments between the EU and the GCC under the chairmanship of Qatar.

There will be an event on EU-Qatar Food Security. A day will be dedicated to food security where the government and private sectors will join the academia to look into ways to create synergies.

The 13th EU-GCC Economic Dialogue was held recently at the Hotel Plaza Doha. Both sides discussed the key economic challenges, policy priorities, and regional and international risks related to security and stability.

It may be recalled that the first EU-GCC Economic Dialogue, hosted in 2003, was held within the framework of the two parties’ commitment to strengthening their cooperation. The dialogue discussed regional and international developments, especially addressing economic challenges and finding solutions to overcome them.

Editor www.asiantelegraphqatar.com talked to Dr Cristian Tudor, European Union envoy to State of Qatar on the sidelines of the EU-GCC Economic Dialogue. Dr Tudor replying to the various questions first praised Qatar’s hosting of the 13th EU-GCC Economic Dialogue, considering these dialogues as 'the appropriate way to promote strategic relations between the EU and the GCC states, and enhance cooperation between the two peoples'.

He said, 'As the link between politics and economy has never been so intertwined, so strong, therefore, the dialogue between EU and GCC will solidify at the economic and macroeconomic level'.

Tudor added: 'The main problem with geopolitics is that it is affecting the investment world and we see that economy, prosperity and everything is linked to stability. There is a lot of instability, a lot of volatility, and a lot of unknowns when you look at the world so the link between the EU and GCC is getting closer and closer; we have a lot of things to do.

'We have Russian aggression against Ukraine in Europe, in this region the war in Gaza and we have seen lately the risk of escalation. That’s why the EU from the beginning has been calling for a better world, for a truce, having called for a ceasefire.

Dr Tudor said that 'We are aligning ourselves very well with Qatar, with all our friends in the GCC. Therefore, this is an important occasion for the EU and GCC to exchange ideas, talk about the challenges that we are dealing with in Europe, and talk about the challenges that our friends in the GCC are dealing with. Our proximity, our policies on humanitarian, on aid, on the economy, we see a lot of interest growing in this region for what we call the twin digital and green transition', he added.

The EU envoy to the State of Qatar said that the 13th EU-GCC dialogues has provided further opportunity to prepare for the upcoming first-ever summit in history taking place in Brussels on October 16 at the level of heads of state and governments between the EU and the GCC under the chairmanship of Qatar.

He said that before the October summit, there will be an event on EU-Qatar Food Security. A day will be dedicated to food security where the government and private sectors will join the academia to look into ways to create synergies.

Dr Tudor also informed that a significant event is scheduled for November this year, which will be marking a new era in EU-GCC relations, as well as individual ties between the EU and member states like Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. He noted that the relationship between the EU and the GCC has always been multifaceted, with diverse connections across regions.

On bilateral trade and investment, he emphasized the importance of recognizing the EU as a political and economic alliance comprising 27 member-states, including Bulgaria and Romania in the east, as well as central and western European nations. “As both regions strengthen their political and economic ties, new opportunities for mutual investments are emerging.”

He noted that the Gulf states are increasingly becoming attractive destinations for external investments, with many EU companies expressing interest in entering the GCC market. “This growing interest paves the way for collaborative projects, co-investments, and joint ventures.”

Dr Tudor highlighted the potential for identifying common ground and exploring opportunities for growth across various sectors, including business, investments, tourism, and education.

Doha, 20 Sept. 2024

IFP Qatar has announced that the 9th edition of Hospitality Qatar will take place in partnership with Qatar Tourism and under the esteemed patronage of its Chairman, Saad bin Ali Al Kharji from November 12 to 14, 2024, at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC).

Hospitality Qatar is country’s leading international trade exhibition and conference for tourism, hospitality, and hotels, restaurants and cafes (HORECA). The expo attracts annually more than 150 exhibitors from suppliers and service providers in the hospitality, HORECA, and food and beverage (F&B) sectors from around the world. It also brings together leading investors and hospitality pioneers in Qatar to explore potential investment opportunities within the country's dynamic hospitality and tourism industry.

Haidar Mshaimesh, General Manager of IFP Qatar, said: "Hospitality Qatar has firmly established itself as one of the leading specialized events in the regional hospitality industry. It provides an unparalleled platform designed to showcase the latest products, streamline business ventures, enhance networking opportunities, and enable suppliers in the hospitality industry to connect with key decision-makers and buyers from top hotels, restaurants, and F&B outlets in Qatar. Therefore, this event is a significant boost for Qatar's hospitality sector, which is experiencing rapid growth amidst the current tourism boom in the country. This surge is not only advancing the hospitality sector but also positively influencing a range of interconnected industries."

He highlighted: “The ninth edition of Hospitality Qatar will feature a diverse range of activities with many firsts, including the Qatar Halal Forum 2024, a specialized conference that focuses on halal tourism and hospitality.

He added that Halal tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments in the global travel industry, with an estimated market value of more than $300 billion by 2026. Qatar ranks 6th in the Master card-Crescent rating Global Muslim Travel Index 2024, it also leads as the most accessible destination for Muslim travelers, and ranks third in the category of Muslim Women-Friendly destinations.

This highlights Qatar's emergence as a global leader in halal tourism, increasingly becoming the preferred destination for Muslim travelers worldwide. Catering to both the recreational needs and cultural sensitivity of visitors, Qatar's tourism sector is setting new benchmarks. The upcoming Qatar Halal Forum 2024 will address key topics including the future of halal hospitality, global trends in halal travel, integrating halal principles in hotel and tourism management, and marketing strategies tailored for halal tourism, featuring insights from global leaders and innovators. Additionally, the event will host live cooking competitions with over 400 chefs from Doha’s hotels and restaurants, showcasing their culinary skills across various categories."

Mshaimesh noted: “Hospitality Qatar will provide the ideal platform for all exhibitors, whether they are producers, suppliers, or industry professionals to reach their target markets while also fostering growth within the sector. The event covers all segments of the industry, including hotels and facilities, interiors and design, leisure and entertainment, travel and tourism, resorts and landscaping, cutting-edge hospitality tech and supplies for HORECA, eco-friendly hotel systems and solutions, and F&B industry, among others.”

He added: “The latest report from Alpen Capital, a leading investment banking advisory firm, forecasts that Qatar's hospitality industry revenue will witness the highest growth rate in the GCC. According to the report, the sector's revenue is expected to surge from QAR 3.64 bn in 2024 to QAR 4.36 bn in 2026, reaching QAR 5.46 bn by 2028. This remarkable growth is largely driven by Qatar's visa facilitation measures, including visas on arrival to citizens from about 102 countries.

In addition, Qatar has simplified its visa procedure by re-launching the Hayya platform in 2023, which serves as a centralised platform for all tourist and corporate visas. The country has also been developing a wide range of tourist attractions, including various cultural and modern landmarks, while consistently hosting major international events all year round.”

Mshaimesh pointed out that: “Qatar's hospitality sector is reaping the benefits of the successful strategy implemented by Qatar Tourism, which aims to attract visitors from 15 key source markets worldwide, including Saudi Arabia, India, China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Australia, South Africa, Russia, Turkey, Iran, and the GCC countries. The strategy also focuses on expanding the reach of international representative offices, launching regional and international marketing campaigns, curating a robust calendar of world-class events year-round, strengthening the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector by leveraging the country’s modern infrastructure, and  developing the hospitality sector by establishing new leisure destinations and districts, launching luxury shopping centres and investing in Qatar’s natural assets.”

He continued: “Qatar Tourism is continuously expanding and diversifying its offerings while providing significant support to the hospitality sector, which is set to drive substantial growth. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts robust performance for Qatar's tourism and travel sector between 2024 and 2034.The sector is anticipated to grow its annual GDP contribution to more than QAR 135bn by 2034, nearly 13% of Qatar’s economy, a notable increase from the QAR 90.8bn, or 11.3% of GDP, projected for 2024.”

According to the WTTC, sprs is expected to rise by 15.9%, from QAR 69.6 bn in 2024 to a record-breaking QAR 116 bn ending by international travelers by 2034. Domestic visitor spending is projected to see steady growth, increasing from QAR 12 bn in 2024 to QAR 16.1  bn by 2034, with an annual increase of 2.9%. The sector is forecasted to create 123,400 new jobs during the period from 2024 to 2034, with total employment in the sector increasing from 334,500 jobs in 2024 to 457,900 jobs by 2034.

Mshaimesh stated: “Third National Development Strategy (NDS3) 2024 November 2030 targets strengthening Qatar’s position as a premier family-tourism destination, while bolstering the MICE sector.

He added that the strategy aims to attract 6 million visitors by 2030, increase total in-destination spending to QAR 34 bn, and achieve 19 million room nights. NDS3 also introduces a range of initiatives to enhance the attractiveness and competitiveness of Qatar’s tourism cluster, including the activation of tourism policies, as well as leveraging the unique connectivity provided by Qatar Airways, developing tourism assets tailored to visitor needs, elevating service excellence, creating new tourism packages, and crafting an unparalleled visitor experience.”

According to latest figures released by Qatar Tourism, visitor arrivals saw a significant 26.2% year-on-year increase, reaching 2.95 million visitors in the first seven months of this year, up from 2.34 million visitors in the same period last year. Moreover, the overall supply of hotel rooms in Qatar reached 39,910, while revenue per available room (RevPAR) stood at QAR 244 by the end of the first half of 2024.

 

About IFP Qatar

IFP Qatar is part of IFP Group, the Middle East's leading trade fair organizer with representative offices across the world. IFP works across a wide range of sectors and has delivered the region's most important events. The company's international trade fairs are designed to be ideal and dynamic platforms for foreign and local companies doing business in the Middle East and seeking exposure to top regional buyers and decision-makers.

For more information, please visit www.ifpexpo.com