The Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani took part in the opening session of the General Debate of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in the presence of leaders of states and heads of governments and delegations of governmental, regional and international organizations and civil society institutions.
The blockade on Qatar has paralysed the Gulf Cooperation Council
In the Name of God the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the outset, it gives me pleasure to congratulate His Excellency Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande on his assumption of the presidency of the seventy-fourth session of the General Assembly, wishing him every success.
I would also like to express our appreciation to Her Excellency Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces for her efforts in running the tasks of the 73rd session of the General Assembly.
We also value the efforts of His Excellency the Secretary General Mr. Antonio Guterres, to enhance the role of the United Nations and achieve its lofty goals.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The world faces enormous and diverse cross-border challenges between peoples and states and that impose on us multilateral action, especially when it comes to risks threatening international peace and security, environmental issues, sustainable development, asylum and immigration.
In the situation of international peace and security, nothing will render the wisdom of leaderships indispensable (especially those of the major powers), who are capable of embracing the purposes of the United Nations Charter. We have no means at our disposal except activating the mechanisms adopted by the international community in the field of collective security, deterring international law violators, ensuring the respect for the sovereignty and security of states, prohibiting the occupation and annexation of the lands of others by force or changing their nature, in addition to preventing armed conflicts by means of peaceful resolution of disputes.
Mr. President,
The strategic importance of the Gulf region renders the realization of stability therein a regional and international need. We assert our firm position to keep the region away from the risks by resolving differences through dialogue based on common interests and respect for the sovereignty of its states. Stirring up tension and dictating the will by using siege and sanctions are not in the interest of any of them.
I have previously pointed out to the necessity for the work to establish a regional security system that preserves the security and stability of the Middle East and the Gulf region in particular. The overall events confirm the importance of this idea and the need for the work to achieve it.
In this context, the unjust, unlawful and unjustified blockade imposed by some countries on the State of Qatar continues. The Gulf Cooperation Council was its second victim paralyzing and causing it to lose its role.
When I stood before you here two years ago, three months after the imposition of the blockade, I was confident of the steadfastness of the Qatari people and their brothers residing in Qatar, of surpassing the blockades effects, and even of taking advantage of the challenge imposed on us despite the cost we paid. I have also been confident since the first day of the campaign of incitement and distortion which preceded the blockade that the Arab, Gulf and world public opinion will soon realize the concealed objectives of the propaganda campaign against the State of Qatar, that is driven by tendencies of domination, the imposition of tutelage and control over the potentials of other states, and the real objective of making accusations that were quickly proved to be untrue, this has happened, as this approach had been unveiled repeatedly when other states fell victim to it.
In line with our firm policy of respect for international law and the peaceful resolution of differences and disputes, we, who have sustained aggression, emphasize our position that the unconditional dialogue based on mutual respect and the lifting of the unjust blockade is the only means to end this crisis, we renew our deep appreciation to the sincere efforts of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the sisterly State of Kuwait, and the endeavors of the brotherly and friendly countries to resolve this crisis.
The continuation of Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and the Arab territories in general, and the ensuing unlawful practices, and in particular the expansion of settlements, judaization of the city of Jerusalem, the unjust and strangling blockade of Gaza strip, intensifying the settlement in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights and changing its nature, all these practices are happening in overt defiance to the United Nations and its resolutions to the extent that Israel regards the airspace of the region as permissible. For how long would the international legitimacy remain unable to find who would enforce its respect when it comes to Palestine
It has been proved that settlements based on the imposition of the logic of force will only result in their violation and denial by the logic of force of occupation as well. However, permanent peace is that based on justice, which means guaranteeing the rights of the Palestinian people, whose homeland has been usurped, foremost of which is the establishment of the Palestinian State on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and the termination of Israeli occupation of all occupied Arab lands, including the Syrian Golan Heights and the Lebanese territories.
As Qatar will not stop supporting any effort exerted in favor of realizing just peace, it will also continue to provide political and humanitarian support to the brotherly Palestinian people.
Mr. President,
The tragedy of the Syrian people and the continuation of their suffering for the eighth year became a major scandal and disgrace on humanity. What increases the danger of this human crisis is the absence of a clear vision for its solution with the continuation of the acts of fighting, destruction, displacement and its international neglect.
We are all aware that the main responsibility about the failure to impose the political solution which we all prefer for Syria is basically due to the inability of the Security Council to protect civilians and issue the necessary resolution to stem the bloodshed and the continuation of the Syrian regime stubbornness and its rejection of all regional and international initiatives. And that all who are listening to me now know that when we refer to the Security Council we mean the major powers.
Its about time for the Syrian people to have security, decent and just life, through reaching a political solution that will fulfill the aspirations of all the spectra of the Syrian people, in accordance with Geneva Communique (1) and the Security Council resolutions including resolution 2254, in a way that will maintain the territorial integrity of Syria, its sovereignty, independence, and applying justice by holding the perpetrators of atrocities against civilians accountable in accordance with the rules of the international law.
The State of Qatar will continue to carry out its humanitarian obligation in providing political support and humanitarian aid to the brotherly Syrian people to alleviate their suffering.
As to the brotherly Yemen, we emphasize our concern about the unity of Yemen and its territorial integrity, its sovereignty as well as the necessity to complete the political process in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions and in particular resolution 2216.
In this respect I emphasize that the outcome of the national dialogue in January 2014, in which all the Yemeni parties took part, has provided equitable and just solutions for all the issues over which fighting is taking place including the issues of the system of government, the federal structure of the state and the issue of the south. The Yemenis have achieved that through dialogue among them.
Until the Yemenis return to themselves and apply solutions they reached without foreign intervention, we find no way except to support the United Nations efforts to end the war and support its U.N. humanitarian and relief efforts.
In Libya, the latest developments warn of risks for Libyas national unity and stability.
The latest military operations against the capital Tripoli have led to the non-holding of the comprehensive Libyan national conference, which reveals a new failure to the collective security system in the Middle East region, the double standards and selectivity in the implementation of the international legitimacy due to the support extended by some countries to the military militias against the legitimate government, these militias which did not hesitate to commit war crimes against civilians. We call for holding accountable the perpetrators of such crimes, and for supporting the legitimate and internationally recognized government of the national accord, to enable it to assume all its tasks in putting an end to the suffering of the Libyan people and in restoring security and stability across Libya.
The Libyan people have paid a high price for sake of their liberty, but have not reaped the fruits of their struggle and sacrifices, though they got tired of chaos. There is an international effort and an internationally recognized settlement, why it is not being implemented because certain countries do what they dont say, and say what they dont do. They formally participate in the international effort by one hand and undermine that effort by the other hand through the support of war lords and terrorist militias for narrow interests.
We call on all the active parties in Libya to shoulder their responsibility and respect the will of the Libyan people towards a peaceful solution, and we warn that the intervention in the Libyan affairs exacerbates the complication of the crisis, prevents reaching national conciliation and contradicts the Security Council resolutions.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
With the help of God, Qatar continues to provide space for dialogue and support for conciliation based on rational and equitable solutions to the crises and armed conflicts. We have hosted negotiations between the United States and the Taliban Movement, and before the US decision to halt them these negotiations made significant progress between the two sides to achieve peace in Afghanistan, and we call on the international community and effective regional states in particular to join forces to achieve peace and stability in this country.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Developments of the last year in more than one country in our region have proved that repression and crimes against humanity, which perpetrators have tried in vain to block the course of history, did not stop people’s aspirations for justice and human dignity and the aspirations of Arab youth for a better future.
It has also been proven that gradual reform is the optimum path to change in countries with complex societies in a region complicated in itself. If some regimes opted for reform in response to the aspirations of the people, they would have spared enormous losses and countless victims.
In this context, we value the steps and agreements that have been reached among the Sudanese parties and we are confident that the Sudanese people are capable of surpassing this sensitive transitional phase, and we renew our commitment by standing alongside the brotherly Sudanese people and call on all regional and international powers to support Sudan to realize the aspirations of its people for security, stability and development. And on this occasion, I call on the U.S. administration to remove Sudan from the list of states sponsoring terrorism.
Honorable Audience,
The combination of terrorism and violent extremism has become a major threat to the entire world. The elimination of terrorism requires a comprehensive approach that includes tackling its political, economic and social roots, along with the security and military action. We reiterate our condemnation of all forms of terrorism and our support for combating it.
In this respect, many countries have begun to realize the mistake of linking terrorism to a particular religion after they were subjected to terrorist operations with racist and ideological motives. There is a political and a moral need to go beyond confining terrorism to individuals and groups, and to deal with state crimes against unarmed civilians also as state terrorism, what is happening in Syria, Palestine and Libya is known to all of us. It is also necessary to distinguish between terrorism and the resistance against occupation.
The State of Qatar will continue to actively participate in the international efforts to combat violent extremism. And in this respect, I refer to the conclusion of a partnership agreement between the State of Qatar and the United Nations CounterTerrorism Office and the contribution of $75 million to strengthen the capability of that Office, as well as opening the international center on applying the behavioral vision on preventing and countering violent extremism, and the partnership agreement between Silatech Organization in Qatar and the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, with the aim of capacity-building and launching projects in the Arab region aimed at terrorism prevention.
Locally, efforts are continuing at the legislative level, and the support of national counter-terrorism specialized institutions until they became a role model to be followed at the regional level, and today Qatar assumes an active role in implementing the counter-terrorism mechanisms adopted by the international community.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Although the use of communication technology is of utmost importance in our modern world in various security, economic, commercial and other fields, however, the misuse of this technology is threatening the security of states and the cordial relations among them, as well as its infringement on the private sphere of individuals and the economic damage. As you know, Qatar News Agency has been subject to digital piracy and espionage.
Mindful of the growing importance of this issue, I renew my last years proposal calling for an international conference to address ways of regulating this issue in international law, and I affirm the readiness of the State of Qatar to host this conference under the auspices of the United Nations and to exert every effort with international partners to make it a success.
Mr. President,
We are all aware that the climate change repercussions are of a common concern to the international community and form an existential threat to some countries, in addition to its negative impact on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and on the quality of human life.
In spite of the disparity among countries in terms of situations and circumstances, today more than ever, we are in need of international cooperation and to ensure the credibility of multilateral international action to counter the climate change challenges.
Within this framework, the State of Qatar has assumed an active role in the international efforts on climate change, in partnership with France, Jamaica and the United Nations, leading the coalition concerned with funding climate activities and carbon pricing.
Mr. President,
The State of Qatar has pursued a consistent policy to protect and promote human rights, on the basis of our Arab and Islamic principles and values that uphold human value, and we are keen to honour our commitment in this respect at the national and international levels to defend individual and collective rights and respect for human rights and dignity. Qatar has made significant achievements in terms of workers’ rights and work conditions in coordination with the International Labor Organization.
The success of the United Nations in countering the common challenges depends on the member states implementation of their commitments and responsibilities. In this context, the State of Qatar has concluded partnerships with many United Nations organs, and Doha will soon host the United Nations House, which comprises offices of various organs of the International Organization concerned with peace, development, human rights, the rule of law, humanitarian action, terrorism combating and extremism, to enable them to perform their tasks ideally.
The State of Qatar has recently announced the support of the core resources of the United Nations with the allocation of 500 million dollars to be added to the support that Qatar has already provided, thus, Qatar is now considered as one of the biggest partners supporting the United Nations in various fields.
In conclusion, I renew our commitment to multilateral international action, partnership and cooperation for the interest of our peoples and the good of humanity.
Thank you, and may the peace and blessings of God be upon you.