HE Prime Minister Opens 9th World Policy Conference

20.11.16

Doha, November 20 (QNA) – HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani opened the 9th edition of the World Policy Conference at Doha Sheraton Hotel today.

The opening session was attended by a number of Their Excellencies ministers, members of diplomatic missions accredited to Qatar and guests.
In his opening speech, HE Prime Minister welcomed the participants of the 9th World Policy Conference, and extended his thanks to French Institute of International Relations and to all those who contributed to the organization of this conference.

His Excellency said we are all aware that our modern world is going through an unusual stage full of serious challenges for security, stability and sustainable development due to the continued disruption of the global system which suffers from double standards in dealing with peoples’ issues.

However, more efforts should be made to maximize what has been achieved in the field of scientific progress and investment in human accomplishments in all aspects of life which made it impossible for any country to remain in isolation and away from the international surrounding, HE the Prime Minister said, while underling the importance of international cooperation and coordination and genuine partnership between States and at the regional and international levels and between governments and peoples and civil society organizations.

His Excellency said that stability and collective security require all actors in the international community, especially the Security Council to abide by international legitimacy and assume the moral and legal responsibility to achieve the will of the people and their legitimate aspirations for bringing about stability and security, freedom and change.

The biggest challenge in the Middle East remains the difficulties and obstacles facing peace process between the Palestinians and Israel, His Excellency said, adding that achieving desired peace and stability in the region is only possible through full commitment by Israel to the foundations and principles of the peace process in accordance with the two-state solution agreed upon by the international community on the basis of international legitimacy decisions. The absence of a comprehensive and just solution to the Palestinian issue threatens all attempts to pursue and consolidate the stability and security in the Middle East and indeed the world, His Excellency pointed out.

HE the Prime Minister noted that the humanitarian disaster that Syrian people are suffering at the hands of the current Syrian regime still has disastrous effects on the overall situation in the Middle East and is a threat to the preservation of the unity of Syria’s land and people.

If we examine the gravity of the violations of international humanitarian law committed by the Syrian regime in towns, villages and neighborhoods in Syria, we will be perplexed at the great distance between the magnitudes [of the violations] and the positions of the international community, His Excellency said, adding that the continuation of this crisis requires from the international community, especially the Security Council to bear legal and humanitarian responsibilities by implementing its decisions to impose a cease-fire and protect the Syrian people from murder and displacement.

He added that talking about Syria necessitates to mention that humanitarian crisis requires from all countries of the world to increase efforts to address this crisis.
HE the Prime Minister reiterated the need for the international community, especially the United Nations to develop a comprehensive perspective on the settlement of conflicts, ranging from prevention through mediation that aimed to prevent disputes from escalating into conflicts, to the stage of conflict management and reaching settlement built on the comprehensive peace agreements followed by the sustainability of peace and stability phase.

HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani said that the phenomenon of terrorism has become a serious threat to the Middle East and global stability in economic, political, social, security and development areas.

With regard to countering terrorism, HE said that it should not be limited to the security aspects, despite its importance, stressing the need for collective efforts to confront terrorism at the national, regional and international level, including cultural, intellectual, ideological, economic, social and media aspects.

In this context, HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani said that all are aware of the need to take advantage of youth’s energies and abilities as they are the future of the peoples and nations, adding that this will be achieved only by protecting them and fulfilling their hopes and aspirations which require taking the necessary measures to deal with their problems so as not to be easy prey for terrorist groups.

HE the Prime Minister said that the world is still looking for the potentials to stimulate economic growth and improve its pace as an important input for the realization of social justice and stability that people aspire to.

HE stressed that development challenges must be faced and its risks and negative effects on the political and social stability must be overcome, especially in the least developed countries, calling on the International Community to support the efforts of these countries to achieve their goals in economic and social development as well as other fields through the fulfillment of the international commitments on development aid in all its forms.

HE the Premier pointed out that the State of Qatar has spared no effort in providing development assistance and fulfilling its international obligations in this regard for many regions of the world, adding that Qatar has made great achievements in sustainable development in accordance with international and regional reports, particularly in areas such as education, health, employment, youth, human rights and economic growth thanks to the wise leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and his keenness to achieve the aspirations of the Qatari people in all aspects of life.

HE the Prime Minister said that Qatar will continue its permanent development to achieve prosperity and sustainable development for the Qatari people through Vision 2030 and the related strategic plans to consolidate a modern state based on justice, the rule of law, openness in foreign relations in accordance with strong bases and pillars, especially the mutual respect, common interests according to the rules of international legitimacy, interaction between peoples, cultures and civilizations, respect for human rights and peaceful settlement of disputes.

HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani emphasized the importance of the issues and topics of this conference, including the changes currently witnessed by the world, especially in the European Union, looking forward to the outcomes of the discussions to achieve the desired goal of this conference for the security, stability and sustainable development in the world.