Qatar participated in the 47th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) held in Niger's capital Niamey.
Qatar's delegation was headed by director of the International Organisations Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yousef Sultan Larem.
Speaking at the session, Larem said Qatar continues its active role to confront terrorism and participate in international mechanisms to co-ordinate efforts to combat terrorism and its financing, especially in partnership with the United Nations.
He said Qatar has carefully developed the legislative and regulatory framework for combating terrorism and its financing, and has prepared a national strategy to combat terrorism.
The official said it was important to face the emerging threats and conflicts such as terrorism, religious intolerance, escalating xenophobia, hate speech and misleading information, besides Islamophobia.
He underlined the importance of serious and collective work to confront escalation against Islam, the Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him, and Muslims.
Larem said the meeting is being held at a time when the world is facing many challenges that require strengthening solidarity and co-operation between the OIC members and all countries of the world, especially as the coronavirus pandemic has affected everyone.
He said the pandemic has changed the features of societies and the activities of states and individuals everywhere, and highlighted the importance of ensuring stability, strengthening security and development and consolidating human rights so that international peace and security are not affected.
He said Qatar has worked towards combating Covid-19 by co-operating with the United Nations and providing governmental and non-governmental humanitarian aid to many countries around the world.
It has also established many field hospitals in the affected countries and has spared no effort in providing urgent medical aid as it supported the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation and healthcare organisations working to develop vaccines and healthcare resilience worth $140mn.
He said working within an international and pluralistic framework is not only necessary to address emerging crises but rather is essential to address common risks such as combating terrorism and extremism, eradicating poverty, and addressing the misuse of technology for illegal purposes as well as addressing development challenges and climate change.
He highlighted the contribution announced by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani with $100mn to the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing countries.
He said Qatar will host the fifth conference on the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing states in January 2022.
"While we are talking about the need for a collective approach and collective frameworks to address the common challenges, Qatar still faces unjust blockade and unilateral coercive measures imposed on it unlawfully and without justification and in violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, international norms and the principles of the friendly relations among the states, especially those brought together under one organisation, such as this," Larem said.
Although more than three years have passed since the blockade was imnposed, Qatar continues to adhere to its principles based on reducing tensions and resolving crises through dialogue, and in accordance with the principles of the peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for international law, he said.
"Therefore, Qatar has resorted to the international legal frameworks, foremost among which were the International Court of Justice, to confront the measures targeting it in violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, international conventions and charters, and human rights."
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