The State of Qatar opened the 50th session of the UN Commission on Population and Development under the theme "Changing Population Age Structures and Sustainable Development" at the UN headquarters in New York. Opening the session, HE Qatar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani, who chairs of the United Nations on Population and Development, stressed the importance of the current session of the Population and Development Commission in providing an excellent opportunity for Member States and stakeholders to exchange views and reach agreement on population issues that are fundamental to the identification and implementation of the post-2017 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The State of Qatar stressed its important role in supporting the international efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change as it has initiated the establishment of the Global Drylands Alliance, which seeks to combat desertification and drought and conserve environment and thus contribute to the efforts of the Paris Agreement. It also stressed that combating climate change is a prerequisite for maximizing progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development . This came in a speech delivered by Qatar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, HE Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, before the High-level Meeting on "Climate Change and the Sustainable Development Agenda."

The State of Qatar stressed today the importance of enhancing the role of the United Nations General Assembly in terms of mediation. This came in Qatar's statement in a meeting at the UN headquarters on the role of the UN General Assembly. The statement was read by HE Qatar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Aliaa Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani. HE the Ambassador said that the subject of enhancing the role of the UN General Assembly gained the attention of the member countries.

The State of Qatar has confirmed that the success of the International Community to put an end to the phenomenon of trafficking in persons requires concerted international efforts to address its causes, and foremost finding just solutions to conflicts and crises and fighting against impunity. This came in a statement of the State of Qatar delivered by HE the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani during the official meeting of the Security Council on Trafficking in Persons in Conflict Situations on Wednesday. HE said that trafficking in human beings has become a global phenomenon that poses a challenge to the international will and the values of humanity, since it represents a flagrant violation of human rights.

The State of Qatar has emphasized the importance of continuing efforts with the United Nations, UN Member States and civil society to ensure the effective implementation of the international, impartial and independent mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the crimes committed in Syria since 2011.

The State of Qatar stressed the importance of reforming the United Nations Security Council in light of the current challenges and conflicts. Addressing the UN General Assembly Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council Reform,

The Commission on Population and Development of the UN Economic and Social Council, chaired by the State of Qatar, held a preparatory meeting ahead of the commissions 50th that will take place in New York from April 3 to April 7.

Qatar's permanent representative to the United Nations HE Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani said today that the State of Qatar remains committed to all the UN's counter-terrorism efforts.

The State of Qatar and Papua New Guinea held today at the headquarters of Qatar's permanent committee to the UN a signing ceremony for establishing diplomatic relations.

Qatar's permanent representative to the United Nations HE Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani chaired today a consultative meeting for member countries to prepare for an October event on international efforts for combating human trafficking.