New York - Information Office - October 14

The State of Qatar has expressed its support for the efforts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations aimed at facilitating a permanent and agreed upon political solution to the problem of the Moroccan Sahara within the framework of the political process supervised by the United Nations, in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions, the latest of which is Resolution 2548 (2021), in a manner that guarantees the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco.

This came in the statement of the State of Qatar delivered by the Third Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani, in the general discussions of the 4th Special Political and Decolonization Committee of the United Nations General Assembly for its seventy-seventh session, on the provisions relating to decolonization (Moroccan Sahara).

Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani expressed Qatars belief in the principle of ending colonialism and foreign occupation in all its forms and manifestations, and reiterated its emphasis on the Declaration on Granting Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples No. 15/14 of 1960, which clearly affirms that the continuation of colonialism and occupation means the continuation of the violation of basic human rights and dignity, referring to a number of international human rights charters and treaties in this field, foremost of which is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in addition to UN resolutions related to decolonization.

With regard to this committees consideration of the items related to decolonization, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani stated that the State of Qatar calls on all member states and concerned parties to seek and cooperate seriously in order to reach just settlements for all cases before the committee, in accordance with international law, and in a manner that takes into account the specifics of each case.

With regard to the issue of the Moroccan Sahara, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani reiterated the position of the State of Qatar, which stems from its belief in the settlement of differences and disputes, through dialogue, negotiations and other peaceful means that are consistent with the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, expressing the State of Qatar's support for the efforts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations aimed at reaching a permanent solution and agreed upon political process within the framework of the political process supervised by the United Nations, in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions, the latest of which is Resolution 2548 (2021), in a manner that guarantees the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco.

He also reiterated Qatar's welcome to the autonomy initiative submitted by the Kingdom of Morocco, saying, that it is a constructive initiative and represents an objective basis for any realistic and sustainable solution to this issue.

He expressed his hope that the draft resolution that the committee will consider on this issue will contribute to supporting the political process and reaching a final and sustainable solution in a manner that serves the interests of the parties and is in the interest of strengthening stability and cooperation in the region, as well as international peace and security.