Qatar committed to supporting COVAX global initiative: Lolwah Al Khater

Tribune News Network Doha Qatar has stressed its commitment to the COVAX global initiative for providing access to COVID-19 vaccine on an international sca...

Tribune News NetworkDohaQatar has stressed its commitment to the COVAX global initiative for providing access to COVID-19 vaccine on an international scale. Qatar has emphasised that the disproportionate negative impact of the pandemic requires paying special attention to the most vulnerable segments in order to help them stay resilient and recover.This came in the statement of Qatar made by Assistant Foreign Minister and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Forum which focuses on development financing in 2021, particularly financing recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.Al Khater said Qatar believes its recovery from the pandemic cannot be achieved unless all segments of its society, particularly the most vulnerable, recover as well.She added that this was reflected in providing tests and high-quality healthcare to everyone in Qatar, regardless of nationality or residency status, in addition to the national vaccination programme which will cover all targeted segments in the next few months.She said Qatar provided urgent medical aid to around 78 countries all over the world to help them respond to the pandemic, with total governmental and non-governmental aid exceeding $88 million. She noted that a total of $20 million were allocated for the international alliance for vaccination.Qatar Fund for Development had also signed an agreement worth $10 million with the World Health Organization (WHO) to support its 13th work programme and accelerate the process of providing access to tools that will combat the Coronavirus in countries that are most in need.Al Khater highlighted the big role played by Qatar Airways in repatriating more than 3 million people home safely, at a time when most airports around the world were closed.She also said that Qatar was proud to join UN campaign ‘Only Together,’ out of the country’s belief in the importance of partnership, cooperation and guaranteeing quick and equitable access to vaccines all over the world, in addition to its commitment to supporting COVAX.She stressed that the disproportionate negative impact of the pandemic requires paying special attention to the most vulnerable segments in order to help them stay resilient and recover, adding that Qatar was pleased to host the 5th UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries from January 23-27, 2022, stressing that the country is confident the event will be pivotal in enhancing these countries abilities to face challenges. She said that Doha’s work programme will be the first one to respond to challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic to the least developed countries, whether economic or social, in order to help them remain resilient and recover.Al Khater stressed Qatar’s commitment to continued active contributions and support in responding to challenges, as well as moving forward with the implementation of the 2030 sustainable development plan.