New York, October 14 (QNA) - The State of Qatar affirmed its role as a strategic and effective partner in support of the Least developed countries (LDCs), Landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (PSIDS).

In this context, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani announced during the UN Climate Action Summit 2019 that Qatar will contribute $100 million to support least developed countries and small island developing states to address climate change.

This came in the State of Qatar's statement delivered by the Second Secretary at the Permanent Delegation of Qatar to the United Nations Ahmed bin Saif Al Kuwari before the Economic and Financial Committee (Second Committee) of the General Assembly at its 75th session on issues relating to groups of countries in special situations.

Al Kuwari pointed to the valuable contributions of the State of Qatar at the international level, as it allocated a large part of its international development assistance to the least developed countries. In this context, he referred to Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), which is currently working on developing a mechanism for disbursing the amount allocated by the State of Qatar, as three priority areas will be taken into consideration, including education as a basic pillar of the global response to climate change, addressing the impacts of climate change due to its effect on health programs and systems, and economic development.

Al Kuwari expressed Qatar's pride and constant keenness to play its role as an effective strategic partner to respond to the needs and challenges, noting that Doha will host the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries.

He also referred to the close cooperation between the State of Qatar and the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), for the purpose of coordinating and discussing important issues within the framework of the preparatory process for the conference.

In light of the significant setbacks imposed by the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and its negative repercussions that exacerbate the humanitarian needs, as well as the existing challenges, especially for the least developed countries that are the most affected, Al Kuwari expressed the State of Qatar's confidence that the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, which will be based on the experiences gained in previous conferences, will be held at an appropriate and crucial time and will be a unique opportunity to support the efforts of these countries, help them protect the development gains they have achieved and advance the achievement of the sustainable development goals.

The State of Qatar is confident that the conference will provide a unique opportunity to chart a path that leads the most vulnerable countries to achieving sustainable development and ensures that they are not left behind, Qatar's Second Secretary at UN Permanent Delegation said, adding that the future work program will also provide an opportunity to make concerted efforts to overcome obstacles that hinder the achievement of goals in the least developed countries.

He also expressed the State of Qatar's aspiration to cooperate with all partners, stressing that it will spare no effort to ensure the requirements for the success of the Fifth United Nations Conference and to make it a milestone that contributes to meeting the aspirations of the least developed countries.

Al Kuwari noted that the State of Qatar enjoys a constructive and positive relationship with landlocked developing countries, affirming that multilateral cooperation and the activation of real partnerships are of crucial importance in addressing the development challenges facing these countries, accelerating the implementation of the Vienna Program of Action and responding to the social and economic impacts of the pandemic.

At the end of the statement, Al Kuwari said that State of Qatar will spare no effort to remain at the forefront of the active countries that can be relied upon in order to move forward in achieving common goals and implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. (QNA)