Keynote Statement, H. E. Dr Hend Al-Muftah
H. E. Dr Hend Abdalrahman Al-Muftah
Permanent Representative
State of Qatar to the UN office in Geneva
Switzerland
DOI: 10.47556/B.OUTLOOK2024.22.4
Excellencies, Distinguished participants, Ladies and gentlemen
It is a great pleasure and honour for me to address this conference, and I thank WASD team and Professor Allam for the great effort they have exerted to ensure its success. We, at the Permanent Mission of Qatar in Geneva, are proud to co-sponsor this event.
I believe that holding this conference in this place, at this time, has a great significance, The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development seeks to realize the human rights of all and to achieve in particular the right to development. There is no other place to address these issues better than the Palais des Nations in Geneva, and I am glad that Dr. Tatiana, DG of UN Office in Geneva is participating with us today.
The Sustainable Development Goals are a shared vision for a universal action to end poverty; achieve equality; realize peace and prosperity; protect the planet and leave no one behind.
Unfortunately, with less than 6 years remaining to achieve these Global Agenda, the full implementation seems to be a hard to reach goal. But I am confident we will not slow down and we will continue to make significant advances in our shared goals and ambitions.
All actions are desperately needed, at this time, to put the SDGs back on track Countries, private sector, civil society organizations, and academia, are all needed to work together in collaborative partnership.
We are embarked on this journey together, so we have to reach the final destination together.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Education is a key and enabling right for the implementation of all the SDGs.
Universities, in particular, remain vital players to delivering all the sustainable development goals. By disseminating knowledge, thoughts and ideas from lecture rooms and laboratories into the day to day life of people, they help government decision and policy makers and equip them with the necessary tools needed to shape the policies and strategies to overcome different challenges.
Universities are trusted partners to bridge the gap between peoples from different countries and cultures through providing an environment where every student can feel free and comfortable to create and innovate, and find solution to critical challenging problems.
This is the reason why this conference about the role of educational institutions in driving forward the implementation of the 2030 Agenda matters at this particular point in time.
Distinguished participants,
Education is a top priority for the State of Qatar. It is our major tool for our quest to achieving the SDGs.
Investing in quality education has been one of the most important elements of building the economy, advancing our society, and achieving growth and prosperity.
Our initiatives to provide quality education have not been confined to Qatar, we have implemented successful projects to provide quality education to millions of out of school children in conflict and insecurity situations.
We have extensively engaged our academic institutions in supporting our national development strategies, using innovation and scientific research in implementation, monitoring and follow-up processes.
Guided by the Qatar National Vision 2030, Qatar relies on research, development and innovation in implementing SDG 2030 and in increasing productivity.
We have established a solid social protection system providing full access to health and education services for all, which made Qatar achieve advanced rankings in the Human Development Index globally and regionally.
Qatar is also moving strongly towards environment-friendly solutions, by diversifying energy sources, investing in solar energy, and expanding natural solutions. We have also invested heavily in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), to empower our sustainable development and accelerate our implementation of the SDGs, Ladies and Gentlemen, I conclude by saying that SDGs are about fighting for a better future that we all deserve.
Let’s keep the momentum and keep going on to drive change forward.
I wish this conference all success and I look forward to join you in persons in many future events to come.
Thank you.
