NEW YORK: Qatar has affirmed its continued support for the efforts of the UN Security Council to maintain international peace and security, and to work to enhance the capabilities of friendly and sisterly developing countries to withstand and adapt to the challenges of climate change, through its policy based on partnership and cooperation, providing humanitarian and development aid and assistance, and adopting many initiatives that provide innovative solutions for development challenges.
This came in the statement of Qatar delivered by Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani before the Security Council open debate session on the Impact of Climate Change and Food Insecurity on the Maintenance of International Peace and Security, at the UN headquarters in New York.
The Permanent Representative of Qatar said that countries with high fragility, especially developing countries and least developed countries, suffer from food insecurity, as a result of the impact of climate change, which appears in the population's loss of livelihoods, the increase in poverty and hunger, the increase in social tensions, competition for resources, and displacement and asylum.
She explained that Qatar shares the UN Secretary-General's deep concern about the ongoing suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people in light of the Israeli war on Gaza, and the occupation's use of the policy of starvation and siege as collective punishment, in addition to the forced displacement of residents from their cities, and the continuous deprivation of besieged civilians of humanitarian aid, food and medicine. She has reiterated Qatar's firm position in support of an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, lifting all restrictions that hinder the arrival of humanitarian aid, stopping forced displacement, and the necessity of protecting civilians per international humanitarian law.
Armed conflicts lead in particular to food insecurity, as agricultural production stops, the movement of trade, transport, and storage is affected, supply chains stop and food prices rise, she said, pointing out that climate changes and the spread of armed conflicts and wars contribute to exacerbating food insecurity and cause food crisis; a global crisis that many countries suffer from. They also negatively affect international peace and security in various ways, she added.
She said that Qatar is making continuous efforts to enhance its adaptation to the challenges of climate change and its effects on food security and sustainability, represented by its National Environment and Climate Change Strategy, which is consistent with its National Vision 2030, including the Climate Change Action Plan, noting that Qatar is keen to provide aid and assistance to developing and least developed countries.
She noted His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani's announcement, during the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019, of Qatar's contribution of $100mn to support the efforts of small island developing states in the Pacific Ocean to address the dangers of climate change and environmental challenges and their impacts on peace and security.
She also pointed out that the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) signed a partnership agreement worth $200mn with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in March 2022, intending to invest in agricultural technologies and equipment and provide markets and economic opportunities for small producers in Africa, especially areas affected by conflicts. It also signed a contribution agreement with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), to support efforts to adapt to climate change, eradicate hunger, and economic empowerment of smallholders.