New York, March 27 (QNA) - The State of Qatar stressed the importance of investing in human development and human resources through a strong focusing on education for girls, boys, women and men, thus contributing to progress in the social and economic development.

This came during a lecture delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani at US Military Academy at West Point, at the invitation of Dean of the Academic Board of US Military Academy, West Point Dr. Cindy Jebb.

In Her Excellency's lecture to students at West Point, HE said that 19.6 percent of government spending in Qatar goes to education compared to the global average of 14.2 percent, pointing that the number of women with secondary education was higher than that of men in 2016 to 70.9 percent compared to 67.8 percent for male counterparts.

Her Excellency added that the number of women in Qatar is higher than that of men in higher education, stressing that Qatari women have been enrolled in universities which were considered exclusive to men, especially in the fields of engineering, technology, media and medicine.

Her Excellency expressed her pride in the engagement of Qatari women in the field of diplomatic corps as the percentage of women working in the diplomatic corps is about 30 percent, and referred to Qatar's priority to invest in innovation in education, supporting a wide range of global projects targeting grassroots literacy to advanced university research. In this context, Her Excellency referred to the initiative launched by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser at the World Innovation Summit in 2009.

Her Excellency noted that she is pleased with the involvement of women, especially educated young women in the labor market, pointing out that the share of Qatar in the employment of females is higher than other countries in the Gulf, according to the World Bank. and the State of Qatar ranks highest among the six countries in the GCC she said.

HE Ambassador pointed to the developments that resulted from Qatar's success in hosting the World Cup in 2022, which contributed to increasing the participation of women, pointing to the participation of women in the development of programs and the implementation of many activities related to the World Cup.

Her Excellency also noted her delight in the involvement of Qatari women in internal security and police forces from the summer of 2018. HE the Ambassador stressed that it was a priority for Qatar to ensure that women and girls were able to participate fully in all areas of life, including ensuring that all girls had access to quality education regardless of poverty, conflict or disaster. In this context, HE referred to Education Above All Foundation, headed by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who has promised to educate 10 million children outside schools in some of the most challenging regions around the world.

Her Excellency said that Qatar is at the forefront of efforts to stop the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and to seek justice and accountability, noting the establishment and provision of financial support to the impartial and independent international mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed in Syria since 2011.

HE Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani referred to the support provided by the State of Qatar to the United Nations Development Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children.

She also reviewed the role played by the State of Qatar in the United Nations to promote gender equality.

With regard to the situation in the region, HE the Ambassador addressed the unjust blockade and unilateral measures of the blockading countries, which paved the way for them to commit a crime of hacking Qatar News Agency to raise allegations to create a crisis to justify those illegal actions in violation of the Charter of the United Nations and international law.

HE the Ambassador noted that the international community realized soon the reality of this fabricated crisis and revealed the real objectives of the unjust blockade and the unjust pretexts that have been cast, which has lost the unjust campaign against the State of Qatar credibility and justifications, especially since the world is aware that Qatar is a strong partner of the international community in the fight against terrorism.

She also noted the effects of the blockade and illegal and unjust measures, which included widespread violations of human rights, such as preventing freedom of movement, preventing freedom of expression, cutting off families, depriving students of their studies and other unprecedented violations in our region, which violate international norms, charters and fundamental rights.

She referred to the July 2018 decision of the International Court of Justice to approve the application of the State of Qatar to take measures against the UAE to take discriminatory measures against Qatari citizens in violation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which confirms the legal position of the State of Qatar and refutes allegations against it .

HE the Ambassador highlighted the State of Qatar's policy of respecting international law and human rights, its international relations and the openness it enjoys in the area of freedoms and information. This has set it an example in the region, which faces serious challenges in respect of international law and human rights.

On the State of Qatar's commitment to freedom of opinion and information, HE the Ambassador referred to Qatar's hosting of Al-Jazeera, one of the most media channels, that enjoys professionalism and neutrality in the region and is internationally recognized, reflecting the policy of the State of Qatar in support of freedom of the press and media, and the right of the individual to know the facts. In this context, she referred to the project to establish a free media city in Doha, in line with international standards adopted in this regard.

With regard to the State of Qatar's position towards the Palestinian issue, HE the Ambassador noted the State of Qatar's keenness to achieve peace in the Middle East based on international law and international references and its policy in taking steps that would enhance the chances of peace, including the provision of basic humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip who are facing difficult humanitarian conditions, where assistance is provided in coordination with United Nations agencies.

On the Syrian crisis, she reiterated the State of Qatar's support for a political solution to the crisis based on the 2012 Geneva Declaration and the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people for security and stability and maintaining Syria's national and regional unity, as well as to ensure accountability of those responsible for committing the heinous crimes in Syria, in accordance with the provisions of international law and the mechanisms adopted by the United Nations.

On the situation in Yemen, HE the Ambassador said that the war in Yemen represents a challenge to the international community as a result of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences it has caused, and renewed the position of the State of Qatar calling for the need to find a political solution based on Security Council resolutions, to save the Yemeni people blood, and the need to respect the humanitarian obligations by all parties. She referred to the humanitarian support provided by the State of Qatar, in coordination with the United Nations organs, to help Yemenis to cope with the humanitarian and health effects of the war. (END)