The Shura Council State of Qatar

HE Speaker of Al Shura Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud said that The State of Qatar has attached great importance to preventive diplomacy in view of the growing role of this strategy in the achievement of international peace and security.

His Excellency also stressed, during a parliamentary hearing held at the United Nations in New York, that the State of Qatar sought to mediate some conflicts that were threats to international peace and security in the Middle East, such as resolving the crisis in Lebanon, the conflict in Darfur, relations between Sudan and Chad and between Djibouti and Eritrea, as well as in Afghanistan.

He noted that The State of Qatar has proposed to host an international conference on preventive diplomacy, given the importance of a preventive diplomacy strategy. He also noted that the international community faces real challenges that pose a threat to international peace and security, adding that they were challenges that could give the United Nations a true test of its success in achieving peace.

HE Speaker of the Shura Council stressed the importance of the roles parliaments can play in the world in order to achieve international peace and security, by supporting the strategy of preventive diplomacy. His Excellency pointed out that peace does not simply mean the absence of war, but goes beyond that to respect for legitimacy and for human rights, and to addressing tensions arising from conflicts that are yet to be resolved in a fair and equitable manner.

He stressed in this context that the Shura Council in Qatar believes that peace can only be achieved by justice and balancing the interests of different countries, regardless of the size of their wealth or geographical area, and that the world will not enjoy peace without respect for international legitimacy and without resolving disputes through dialogue.

His Excellency pointed out that failure to resolve conflicts around the world has affected the people's confidence in the ability of the international community to provide solutions, leading to further division.

He wondered what the role of parliamentarians is in encouraging both countries and the United Nations to rely on preventive diplomacy, in order to realize the vision of a world living peacefully.

HE the Speaker of the Shura Council and his accompanying delegation are currently participating in a parliamentary hearing held at the United Nations on the parliamentary response to the challenges resulting from multilateralism.

HE the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya bint Ahmed Al-Thani attended the session a long with members of the Shura Council.