Qatar Participates in High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2021

Doha, July 10 (QNA) - The State of Qatar took part in the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2021 (HLPF) , currently being held under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), entitled "Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development". This forum, which will be held from July 6 -15, and in which Qatar will be represented by HE President of the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA) Dr. Saleh bin Mohammed Al Nabit , will discuss ways to ensure sustainable recovery from the worst recession the world has witnessed since 1930, as this pandemic caused tremendous suffering to the world's population and economies that had negative impacts on the efforts of sustainable development in the world. A statement by the PSA stated that Qatar, along with 43 member states of the UN, will carry out voluntary national reviews (VNRs) of their implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and the impact of the pandemic on the sustainable development agenda 2030 and recommendations on how to integrate their national efforts to put the national economy on track in order to achieve the sustainable development agenda 2030. The statement indicated that the PSA, as the sponsor of the preparation of the VNRs of the State of Qatar for 2021, has prepared, in cooperation with ministries and government agencies, civil society organizations and various committees, a report for the VNRs of Qatar, which will be presented at the forum, containing a set of main messages focused on the successes and challenges achieved by the State in light of the pandemic. It is scheduled that HE Dr. Al-Nabit will present the VNRs of the State of Qatar on July 12, through video conference technology, which will include an affirmation of Qatar's progress in its development efforts in accordance with its National Vision 2030, and that recovery from the effects of Covid-19 will be included in the third national development strategy, which the country has begun to lay its first blocks, in order to align it with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. HE President of the PSA will review the efforts of the State of Qatar in confronting the pandemic and the comprehensive and integrated approach that it has followed since March 2020, in coordination with all sectors in the country, in accordance with a comprehensive national plan to respond to Covid-19 pandemic, and recover from its repercussions. The report addresses the efforts of the State in developing an effective social protection system, and in achieving food self-sufficiency by 70 percent by 2023. and in order to achieve food security by 2030, and 100 percent of the population benefiting from health care. The report included Qatar's strong orientation towards environmentally friendly solutions to diversify energy sources, invest in solar energy, shift to green buildings, diversify the production base through economic infrastructure and establish industrial and service areas. The report emphasizes the successful national action plan to address the pandemic, and its contribution at the global level, by supporting COVAX initiative, relief and development assistance to countries with low incomes, as well as facilitating cash transfers of workers to their families in their countries, and its contribution to the development of the economies of those countries. The report also addresses Qatar World Cup in 2022, as one of the most important international partnerships, and one of the drivers of achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as it will leave an important national legacy, and will provide Qatar and the peoples of the region with opportunities to spread a sustainable welcome message. The forum will adopt a ministerial declaration as the outcome of its session, confirming the commitment of member states to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. (QNA)