Economic Recession, Marginalization Fuels World Conflicts: Qatar Chamber Chairman

Doha, April 23 (QNA) - HE the Board Chairman of Qatar Chamber Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammad Al Thani, has said that economic recession and the continuous marginalization of the participation of developing and the least developed countries in making decisions concerning their future, would increase spots of trouble in the world. Addressing the opening session of the 8th World Chambers Congress, which launched here on Tuesday , HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim said the current changes and fluctuations the world is undergoing increases doubts about the world economy's ability to overcome its crises and solve the problem of the lack of vital resources such as food, water and energy as well as the problem of climate change, which threatens to displace millions of the world's population, which is expected to reach about 9.2 billion by 2050. "We, governments and business owners, should not allow the economic recession, protectionist tendencies and self-interest-based economic policies to lead the world economy because they will inevitably result in disastrous consequences that might threaten the survival of humanity. It is certain that the stability and economic recovery of the developing and least developed countries is the way to achieve peace and security in all parts of the world and not vice versa," Qatar Chamber's board chairman said. He added that Qatar is honored to host the 8th World Chambers Congress, which preaches the noble and humane goals and concepts of sustainable development, economic stability and social justice that constitute a dream for millions of people around the world. He noted that the event features a selection of decision-makers and business owners from more than 140 countries, representing up to 2,000 international chambers and economic institutions. HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammad Al Thani said the conference comes at critical times for the Arab region that has witnessed several uprisings. He added that the close monitoring indicates that poverty, unemployment and loss of hope in the future were the main issues that fueled Arab revolutions. He said that the conference, jointly organized by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI), goes in line with Qatar's policies, which aim to build a strong and balanced global economy that achieves social justice and sustainable development for all the peoples of the world. Qatar has insisted on these pillars since it hosted the fourth WTO ministerial forum in November 2001, which resulted in the Doha Round negotiations that aimed to support the global economy, help developing and least developed countries integrate into the global economy through increased trade fair, HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammad Al Thani said, noting that the insistence of some major countries to impose protectionist measures for its products led to the suspension of the Doha negotiations. The Qatar Chamber chairman also pointed to the second South Summit of the Group of 77 and China, held in Doha in 2005, which drew an ambitious action plan for the establishment of a new and balanced global economy, highlighting also the Doha-based U.N. Conference on Financing for Development in 2008, which discussed challenges hindering the process of development in developing countries. HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim also underlined Qatar's hosting of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XIII) in April 2012. (END)