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Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar reaffirms its rejection of using food, starvation of civilians as weapon of war
The State of Qatar has reiterated its rejection of the use of food and the starvation of civilians as a weapon of war, calling on the international community to compel Israel to allow the safe, sustained, and unobstructed entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, to be distributed by international humanitarian organizations. This came in a statement delivered by Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani during the UN Security Council's quarterly open debate on 'The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question' (MEPQ), held at UN Headquarters in New York. She emphasized that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is beyond description, amid widespread famine, the collapse of infrastructure and the healthcare system, the spread of disease, and a death toll surpassing 58,000, including nearly 18,000 children. She affirmed the State of Qatar's strong condemnation of Israel's ongoing attacks on civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and residential areas, stressing that the forced displacement of Palestinians in any form constitutes a blatant violation of international humanitarian law. Sheikha Alya also stated that Qatar has made sincere efforts, in coordination with Egypt and the United States, to reach a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. She noted that past diplomatic efforts had yielded tangible results through previously reached agreements, and that current mediation efforts are ongoing to bridge the gap between the parties and secure an urgent agreement. She further condemned the statements made by Israel's Minister of Justice regarding the annexation of the West Bank, describing them as a continuation of illegal settlement policies and a flagrant violation of international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2334. She also denounced the approval of new settlement construction, and the attacks carried out by settlers as part of an ongoing series of crimes against the unarmed Palestinian population. She called for urgent international action to protect civilians and to ensure accountability for those responsible. She conveyed Qatar's condemnation of attempts by the Israeli occupation to alter the religious and historical status of holy sites, including the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli officials and settlers, the closure of the Jerusalem Fund, and the transfer of authority over Al Ibrahimi Mosque to a Jewish religious council. She said Qatar warned of the risks of regional spillover due to the conflict and condemned Israel's attacks on Syria, reaffirming its support for the Syrian Arab Republic's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people for stability and development. She also reaffirmed the State of Qatar's principled and unwavering support for Lebanon, its unity and territorial integrity, and called for the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from all Lebanese territory, urging all parties to uphold the ceasefire agreement. She expressed the State of Qatar's welcome of the upcoming United Nations High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution to be co-chaired next week by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic. Qatar hopes the conference will yield tangible results and clear international commitments, serving as a foundational step toward full UN membership for the State of Palestine. Sheikha Alya concluded by reaffirming Qatar's principled and consistent stance in support of a just and sustainable solution to the Palestinian issue, based on international legitimacy and ensuring the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. She stressed that Qatar will spare no effort in facilitating and supporting efforts toward achieving this goal.
Mid East Info
5 days ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
UAE's GEEP hosts global retreat to advance government collaboration at UN SDG forum - Middle East Business News and Information
First-of-its-kind initiative convenes global leaders at UN Headquarters to scale partnerships and accelerate SDG implementation through shared government expertise Dubai, New York, United Nations,July 2025: The Government Experience Exchange Programme GEEP, under the UAE Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, convened its first international retreat as part of the 2025 UN High-Level Political Forum HLPF on Sustainable Development, organised by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) at its headquarters in New York City. The first-of-its kind gathering reinforced the UAE's commitment to international partnerships, bringing together global stakeholders to expand strategic collaboration and share government best practices that drive progress on the 2030 Agenda. Held at the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to United Nations, the session showcased the UAE's advanced model in government knowledge sharing and its effectiveness in promoting institutional excellence globally. It brought together senior representatives from governments, international organisations, and research institutions to explore multilateral and shared experiences that support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Participants exchanged ideas on expanding partnerships across sectors to achieve measurable development outcomes, aligned with this year's HLPF theme: 'Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs.' The session reflected the UAE's ongoing commitment to fostering government modernisation and using knowledge exchange to build more effective, sustainable, and resilient institutions. Abdulla Lootah: UAE Strengthens Global Partnerships for a Sustainable Future His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chair of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, emphasised the UAE's expanding international partnerships to accelerate SDG implementation worldwide. He noted that GEEP represents one of the nation's key platforms for sharing best practices, driven by proactivity, innovation, and future-readiness. H.E Lootah highlighted that GEEP includes more than 100 work streams across key areas, including government excellence, services, accelerators, public policies, and competitiveness. He affirmed that hosting this inaugural international session reinforces the UAE's role in enabling international collaboration and directing knowledge exchange toward real impact on the 2030 UN Agenda, building a more sustainable future for all. Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development: The session facilitated robust dialogue between government representatives, international organisations, the private sector, and civil society, reinforcing collaboration to accelerate the implementation of 2030 SDGs and deliver tangible contributions to the outcomes of the 2025 HLPF. Three roundtable discussions were conducted centred on: Global Partnerships SDG17, Safety and Security SDG16, and Sustainable Environment SDG14. Topics included the role of knowledge exchange in accelerating sustainable development, the importance of international cooperation for crisis resilience, and approaches to environmental protection and green transition. The UAE delegation included leading experts, including Lt. Ahmed Al Zarouni, Director of International Police from the Ministry of Interior, and Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General from the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi. UN High-Level Political Forum: The HLPF on Sustainable Development is the UN's central platform for reviewing and advancing SDGs. Established in 2012, the forum plays a pivotal role in monitoring national and international progress on the 2030 Agenda. Participating delegations at HLPF conduct assessments of progress toward the SDGs, with this year's forum featuring in-depth reviews of five priority goals: SDG3 ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages; SDG5 (achieving equality and empowering all women and girls; SDG8 promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all; SDG14 conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development); and SDG17 strengthening and revitalizing the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development).
Scoop
22-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
UN's Guterres Declares Fossil Fuel Era Fading; Presses Nations For New Climate Plans Before COP30 Summit
22 July 2025 In a special address at UN Headquarters in New York, Mr. Guterres cited surging clean energy investment and plunging solar and wind costs that now outcompete fossil fuels. ' The energy transition is unstoppable, but the transition is not yet fast enough or fair enough, ' he said. The speech, A Moment of Opportunity: Supercharging the Clean Energy Age – a followup to last year's Moment of Truth – was delivered alongside a new UN technical report drawing on global energy and finance bodies. 'Just follow the money,' Mr. Guterres said, noting that $2 trillion flowed into clean energy last year, $800 billion more than fossil fuels and up almost 70 per cent in a decade. Key points from the address Point of no return – The world has irreversibly shifted towards renewables, with fossil fuels entering their decline Clean energy surge – $2 trillion invested in clean energy last year, $800 billion more than fossil fuels Cost revolution – Solar now 41 per cent cheaper and offshore wind 53 per cent cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives. Global challenge – Calls on G20 nations to align new national climate plans with the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement Energy security – Renewables ensure 'real energy sovereignty' Six opportunity areas – Climate plan ambition, modern grids, sustainable demand, just transition, trade reform, and finance for emerging markets. A shift in possibility He noted new data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) showing solar, once four times costlier, is now 41 per cent cheaper than fossil fuels. Similarly, offshore wind is 53 per cent cheaper, with more than 90 per cent of new renewables worldwide beating the cheapest new fossil alternative. ' This is not just a shift in power. It is a shift in possibility,' he said. Renewables nearly match fossil fuels in global installed power capacity, and 'almost all the new power capacity built' last year came from renewables, he said, noting that every continent added more clean power than fossil fuels. Clean energy is unstoppable Mr. Guterres underscored that a clean energy future 'is no longer a promise, it is a fact'. No government, no industry and no special interest can stop it. ' Of course, the fossil fuel lobby will try, and we know the lengths to which they will go. But, I have never been more confident that they will fail because we have passed the point of no return. ' He urged countries to lock ambition into the next round of national climate plans, or NDCs, due within months. Mr. Guterres called on the G20 countries, which are responsible for 80 per cent of emissions, to submit new plans aligned with the 1.5°C limit and present them at a highlevel event in September. Targets, he added, must 'double energy efficiency and triple renewables capacity by 2030' while accelerating 'the transition away from fossil fuels'. Real energy sovereignty The Secretary-General also highlighted the geopolitical risks of fossil fuel dependence. 'The greatest threat to energy security today is fossil fuels,' he said, citing price shocks after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. ' There are no price spikes for sunlight, no embargoes on wind. Renewables mean real energy security, real energy sovereignty and real freedom from fossil-fuel volatility. ' Six opportunity areas Mr. Guterres mapped six 'opportunity areas' to speed the transition: ambitious NDCs, modern grids and storage, meeting soaring demand sustainably, a just transition for workers and communities, trade reforms to broaden cleantech supply chains, and mobilising finance to emerging markets. Financing, however, is the choke point. Africa, home to 60 per cent of the world's best solar resources, received just 2 per cent of global clean energy investment last year, he said. Only one in five clean energy dollars over the past decade went to emerging and developing economies outside China. Flows must rise more than five-fold by 2030 to keep the 1.5-degree limit alive and deliver universal access. Mr. Guterres urged reform of global finance, stronger multilateral development banks and debt relief, including debtforclimate swaps. ' The fossil fuel age is flailing and failing. We are in the dawn of a new energy era,' he said in closing. ' That world is within reach, but it won't happen on its own. Not fast enough. Not fair enough. It is up to us. This is our moment of opportunity. '
Scoop
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Gaza: Guterres Condemns Killing Of People Seeking Food As Humanitarian Conditions Deteriorate
21 July 2025 Stéphane Dujarric was speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters in New York a day after dozens of Palestinians were killed seeking food aid. He said the Secretary-General deplored the growing reports of both children and adults suffering from malnutrition and strongly condemned the ongoing violence, including the shooting, killing and injuring of people attempting to get food. Not a target 'Civilians must be protected and respected, and they must never be targeted,' said Mr. Dujarric, noting that the population in Gaza remains gravely undersupplied with the basic necessities of life. He stressed that 'Israel has the obligation to allow and facilitate by all the means at its disposal the humanitarian relief provided by the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations.' Mr. Dujarric said the Secretary-General noted that the recent intensification of hostilities comes as the humanitarian system in Gaza is being impeded, undermined and endangered. New evacuation orders He pointed to a new evacuation order issued for parts of Deir Al-Balah, which is pushing people into more desperate conditions and sparking further displacement, while restricting the UN's ability to deliver aid. He reported that two UN guesthouses in Deir Al-Balah were struck, despite the parties being informed about their locations. 'They suffered damage,' he said, responding a reporter's question. 'The UN staff inside was, to say the least, rattled.' Mr. Dujarric underscored that the UN intends to remain in Deir Al-Balah. Ceasefire now The Secretary-General reiterated his urgent call for the protection of civilians, including humanitarian personnel, and for the provision of essential resources to ensure their survival. He once again called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Mr. Dujarric said the UN stands ready to significantly scale up its humanitarian operations in Gaza, adding 'the time for a ceasefire is now.' People dying from malnutrition Amid the ongoing shelling, displacement and destruction in Gaza, humanitarians continue to receive reports of severely malnourished people arriving at medical points and hospitals in extremely poor health. More than a dozen people, including children, have reportedly died from hunger in the last 24 hours, according to the Gaza health agencies. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) recalled that roughly 88 per cent of Gaza is now under displacement orders or within displacement zones. Shelter and fuel Gaza's population is some 2.1 million and about 1.35 million need shelter and household items. However, no shelter supplies have been allowed to enter for more than four months. The dire fuel crisis also continues, with humanitarians continuing to warn that the limited quantities that have been allowed to enter in recent days are hardly sufficient. Traditional aid systems critical: UN official Meanwhile the new UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ramiz Alakbarov, has met with the Prime Minister of the State of Palestine, Mohammad Mustafa, in Ramallah. At a press conference, Dr. Alakbarov called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of the hostages, and the lifting of all restrictions on access to people in Gaza. He said to address immediate needs, humanitarian organizations must be able to use the traditional systems of aid delivery. He noted that these systems are currently undermined by violence, including armed looting and recurrent shootings at civilians seeking aid. which he said must be independently investigated.
Scoop
22-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Salvaging SDGs Still Possible, But Countries Must Act Now: Guterres
21 July 2025 Addressing ministers at UN Headquarters in New York, he called for urgent action to rescue lagging Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) amid war, inequality and fiscal strain. 'Transformation is not only necessary – it is possible,' he declared, highlighting landmark commitments adopted in recent months: the Pandemic Agreement at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, pledges to expand marine protected areas at the third UN Ocean Conference in Nice, and the new vision for global finance agreed in Sevilla at the fourth International Financing for Development Conference. 'These are not isolated wins, they are signs of momentum and signs that multilateralism can deliver.' The remarks opened the ministerial segment of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the UN's central platform for reviewing the 2030 Agenda and its 17 SDGs. Get back on track Mr. Guterres warned that the world remains far off track to meet the 2030 targets. 'Only 35 per cent of SDG targets are on track or making moderate progress. Nearly half are moving too slowly. And 18 per cent are going backwards,' he said. He urged governments to act with urgency and ambition. 'The Sustainable Development Goals are not a dream. They are a plan – a plan to keep our promises to the most vulnerable people, to each other, and to future generations.' Citing gains since 2015, including expanded social protection, declining child marriage and growing women's representation, he said the SDGs remain 'within reach' if world leaders channel resources and political will. The Secretary-General also linked development and peace, noting ongoing violence in Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine and elsewhere. 'At every step, we know sustainable peace requires sustainable development,' he said, calling for immediate ceasefires and renewed commitment to diplomacy. Double down on multilateralism Bob Rae, President of the Economic and Social Council, echoed the SecretaryGeneral's call, warning that global disruption – from climate change to economic disarray – requires deeper solidarity. 'The SDGs are not optional ideals, but rather essential commitments,' he said. 'Now is not the time for us to abandon our ideals…it is now actually the time to double down on our multilateral obligations to one another.' Mr. Rae cautioned that shrinking national budgets and rising nationalist politics are undermining progress but insisted that 'multilateralism delivers real, tangible benefits for people at every level of society.' He called for closer partnerships with civil society, local governments, and the private sector, stressing that SDGs must be 'integrated into budgets and policies around the world, not as at odds, but as the core of how governments should serve their people.' Match ambition and delivery Philémon Yang, President of the General Assembly, emphasized aligning political commitments with concrete action. He praised the Compromiso de Sevilla and last year's Pact for the Future, which aim to reform global financial systems, scale up climate finance, and strengthen international tax cooperation. 'The gap between ambition and delivery can only be closed through solidarity, resources and political will,' he said. 'The deadlines for the 2030 Agenda are fast approaching,' he warned. 'Whether we like it or not. And while progress is lagging, we have the tools and ambition to deliver.' Accountability and partnership The HLPF, established at the landmark Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012, serves as the primary UN platform for monitoring SDG progress, including through Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). This year's forum, convened under the auspices of the ECOSOC, runs until 23 July with a focus on five goals: health, gender equality, decent work, life below water, and global partnerships. More than 150 countries have presented VNRs – with 36 reporting this year – showcasing national efforts and challenges in implementing the 2030 Agenda. Mr. Guterres praised the reviews as 'acts of accountability' and 'templates for other countries to follow and learn from.' With just five years left to meet the global goals, he urged ministers to 'transform these sparks of transformation into a blaze of progress – for all countries.'
