DOHA: The State of Qatar participated in the meeting of the Policy Advisory Group of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), held in Doha.
Minister of State for International Cooperation HE Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad opened the meeting.In her remarks during the meeting, the Minister of State for International Cooperation said that international partnerships are not just an option to resort to when crises intensify but rather the essence of human existence, and a moral duty that requires us to elevate our collective spirit to achieve it to uphold the spirit of joint humanitarian work, and nothing is more eloquent and clearer than the lessons of history in this context.
She emphasized that the State of Qatar is fully convinced of the path of cooperation and partnership as the only way to end the successive woes of the peoples of the world. She noted that the ICI was established to be based on the foundations of joint action and a firm collective will and to establish the pillars of human security and dignity in a world where destinies are intertwined and interests and opportunities intersect.
The Minister of State for International Cooperation indicated that the State of Qatar, as a full member of the ICI, believes that achieving regional and global security requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond traditional military solutions, to extend to combating obscurantism and enhancing societies' awareness of the principles of peace and human coexistence. This includes promoting sustainable development, protecting human rights, and supporting peoples in achieving their legitimate aspirations.
Shepointed out that relations between the State of Qatar and NATO have witnessed tangible development over the past years, reflected in the exchange of visits and the active participation of the State of Qatar in all activities aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two sides. She added that as a living example of this commitment, the State of Qatar hosted the annual NATO conference on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in March 2015. This was the first time this conference was held outside Europe, signaling a clear message about Qatar's pivotal role in supporting global security and peace efforts.
The minister indicated that Qatar is the only country within the framework of the ICI that has passed all stages of the "NATO Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC)", an achievement that highlights the depth of the partnership between the two sides and the importance of Qatar as an ally and strategic partner.
She said that in light of the successive crises and conflicts that the world is witnessing today, which threaten stability and leave deep scars due to humanitarian crises and the reality of devastating conflicts, the moment has come to form a common resolve and intention so that efforts can be combined to find comprehensive and sustainable solutions.
The Minister of State for International Cooperation pointed out that the wars in Gaza and Lebanon, in addition to the situations in Syria, Yemen, and Sudan, constitute a threat that extends beyond the borders of the region to global security, causing waves of illegal immigration, mass displacement, a large influx of refugees, and the growth of fertile environments for the penetration of terrorism and organized crime.
She stressed the need to address these challenges with strength and decisiveness, not only with security forces but also by enhancing the power of enlightened thought, resisting chaos by promoting the values of justice, peace, and human compassion, and working to address the roots of crises with their intellectual depth and philosophical contexts, in addition to unifying joint efforts to build a future that meets the aspirations of peoples and puts an end to the suffering that afflicts innocent people.
The Minister of State for International Cooperation extended her sincere congratulations to Javier Colomina on his appointment as the first Special Representative of the Secretary-General of NATO for the Southern Neighborhood, wishing him success in his mission. She also congratulated everyone on the 20th anniversary of the launch of this pioneering initiative, voicing her hope that it will remain a beacon of fruitful cooperation between its members, striving to achieve the peace and security that peoples seek.
