The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Forum to Kick off Monday

Doha, April 27 (QNA) - The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) forum is set to be held in Doha on Monday. The event, is organised by Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA) in cooperation with the Foreign Ministrys Diplomatic Institute , under the patronage of HH Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser . Taking part in the forum are representatives of ministries, government institutions and civil society organisations, in addition to experts from regional and international organisations such as the Arab League, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) general secretariat. The forum, which takes place on April 29 and 30, aims to review the results of the fourth MDGs report on Qatar, highlight the significant achievements and challenges, and link MDGs to the major development projects to be implemented in the country in the coming years and the major international events to take place in Qatar such as the 2022 World Cup. The forum will also discuss the link between MDGs and some international goals such as sustainable development and the UNAOC goals, in addition to finding permanent mechanisms for providing statistical data related to MDGs. HE ambassador Dr. Hassan Al-Mohannadhi , the Director of the Diplomatic Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the MDGs in Qatar aims to review what has been carried out as far the MDGs is concerned during the period 2000-2012, the matter which, HE Al-Mohannadhi said, has been made clear in the 4th national report of the MDGs of the State of Qatar which the diplomatic institute , has worked out in cooperation with the Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA). HE the Director of the Diplomatic Institute further said that the organizers of the conference hope they will come up with constructive and practical recommendations that build on achievements and avoid shortages in the provision of some of the data through the creation of mechanisms and means to ensure that. They also aim to strengthen cooperation relations with concerned governmental institutions and agencies involved in providing relevant statistical data to the MDGs report indicators, and to prepare for the post 2015 MDGs, he said. Touching on the extent these important goals will be scored, Dr. Al- MohanNadhi said, "The interest of the State of Qatar to achieve the Millennium Development Goals was at the core of the priorities of the wise leadership, which adopted developmental strategies and policies aimed at promoting sustainable development in its various aspects". Elaborating he said, "We can say that most of the objectives have been achieved before the deadline 2015, where poverty and hunger have been eradicated and the state has been able to make primary education available and common for all children. Child mortality and maternal mortality have been reduced and HIV / AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases were combated, the the Director of the Diplomatic Institute said that environmental sustainability and building of a global partnership in the pursuit of international development were secured. (QNA)