HH the Qatar Emir to Open UNCTAD XIII Next April

Doha, February 18 (QNA) - HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani will open the thirteenth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XIII), which will be held in the Middle East for the first time. Several Heads of States and ministers of trade and developments in the UNCTAD 193 member states will take part in the conference, which Doha will host at Qatar National Convention Center from April 21 to 26. Qatar will take over the UNCTAD presidency for the next four years after the Republic of Ghana. HE Qatar's Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, who has extensive experience in the management of such conferences in light of his work in the UN and the UNESCO for many years and as an ambassador to several countries, will preside over the conference meetings. The Higher Organizing Committee of UNCTAD XIII has expected that about 8000 participants from member states, regional and international bodies and institutions and civil society organizations will attend the conference. A number of important forums on the investment in the developing countries, women's empowerment and civil society organizations will be held on the sidelines of the conference, the Committee pointed out. The main theme of the conference will be "Development-centerd globalization: Towards inclusive and sustainable growth and development" where participants will discuss development and trade issues like enhancing the enabling economic environment at all levels in support of inclusive and sustainable development, strengthening all forms of cooperation and partnerships for trade and development, including North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation, addressing persistent and emerging development challenges as related to their implications for trade and development and interrelated issues in the areas of finance, technology, investment and sustainable development, and promoting investment, trade, entrepreneurship and related development policies to foster sustained economic growth for sustainable and inclusive development. Established in 1964 , UNCTAD promotes the development-friendly integration of developing countries into the world economy. UNCTAD has progressively evolved into an authoritative knowledge-based institution whose work aims to help shape current policy debates and thinking on development, with a particular focus on ensuring that domestic policies and international action are mutually supportive in bringing about sustainable development. Qatar signed the host-country agreement for the UNCTAD in Geneva in July 2011 after it was elected by the developing countries group as a result of its pioneering experience in organizing international conferences in addition to its strong economy. (QNA)