RAMY SALAMA

DOHA QATAR underlined the aim for Unctad XIII quadrennial conference, Middle East’s first, to be inaugurated by the Emir HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani on Saturday saying it hoped the meet would help stimulate sustainable development.

Addressing the World Investment Forum 2012 (WIF 2012) that opened in Doha on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs HE Ahmed bin Abdullah al Mahmoud, said sustainable development was the very foundation of peace and stability. Every person, including youth, hoped to “obtain suitable employment, and the disappointment of this hope must result in sorrow and self-pity”, he told the gathering in the address on behalf of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al Thani.

“Qatar acknowledges the extensive efforts of UNCTAD in promoting sustainable development, and international investment, which in turn facilitate the increase of employment opportunities.

We have high hopes from this conference, and hope that it will contribute to the stimulation of sustainable development in the wake of the global financial crisis”, he added.

Unctad Secretary-General Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi and International Chamber of Commerce Secretary-General Jean-Guy Carrier also spoke.

At a different meeting, ministers of the world’s 48 least developed countries (LDCs) adopted a declaration for strengthening the organisation and bolstering its research, technical-cooperation, and consensus-building work. The document also reaffirmed LDCs’ support for the concept – long advocated by Unctad – of the “developmental state”.

Meanwhile, Unctad offered to help African nations boost trade within the region that may lead to a free trade area. Under the offer made at a meeting of the African trade ministers, the organisation will provide assistance in matters relating to trade policy, trade facilitation and productivity.