The State of Qatar participated via videoconferencing in the joint thematic event of the United Nations General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) "Diversifying the Financing Toolbox to Enhance Investment in the least Developed Countries."

HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani represented the State of Qatar in the meeting.

In his speech at the meeting, HE the Foreign Minister expressed his sincere thanks to HE the President of the General Assembly and HE the President of the ECOSOC for holding this important joint event, adding that the State of Qatar values the priority given to issues related to the least developed countries and the high place that it occupies on the agenda of the General Assembly and the ECOSOC, commending the UN support provided to these countries.

HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the indicators related to the negative repercussions of the global crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic show the impact of this pandemic in particular on the least developed countries, the real challenge it poses that threatens the economic, social and development progress for these countries, and exacerbates the challenges that they face.

HE the Foreign Minister said that at a time when the world is witnessing an accelerating pace of climate risks that have negative effects on the least developed countries and based on Qatar's awareness of the importance of supporting countries that face special challenges in this field, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani announced during the Climate Action Summit in September 2019, the State of Qatar's contribution of USD100 million to support small island developing states and least developed countries to deal with climate change and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) is implementing this pledge through partnerships and financing of projects and targeted initiatives that help on enhancing resilience and adapting to climate change.

His Excellency explained that within the framework of the effective partnership of the State of Qatar in the international community to confront global challenges, the State of Qatar is proud to host the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) during the period from January 23-27, 2022, and is looking forward for this conference to complement the successes achieved in previous conferences. He added that the Doha conference will be an important turning point in response to meeting the aspirations of these economically promising countries, addressing the root causes of the existing challenges, and achieving further progress in supporting the issues of the least developed countries.

HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani affirmed that the Doha Work Program for the next decade will serve as a starting point and a roadmap, as it is the first work program that will address and give priority to addressing the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the least developed countries and assisting them to achieve development in the next ten years in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the exit of these countries from the list of least developed countries. He pointed out that the State of Qatar is keen to allocate a large part of its development aid to developing and least developed countries around the world as it has made contributions of more than USD140 million through international organizations and charities to strengthen the capabilities of many countries to mitigate the impact of the pandemic, especially in the least developed countries.

At the conclusion of his speech, HE the Foreign Minister stressed that the State of Qatar will spare no effort to continue to provide initiatives that contribute to alleviating the burdens of common challenges and crises and continue work based on the principle of cooperation and partnership, wishing that this meeting would achieve its desired goals. He welcomed all participants at the LDC5 in Doha in 2022, expressing his aspiration for active participation.