Minister of Culture Meets Heads of Arab Diplomatic Missions in Geneva

Geneva, February 29 (QNA) - HE the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr. Hamad bin Abdul-Aziz Al Kowari, who will chair the 13th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), met here today with heads of Arab diplomatic missions accredited to the United Nations Office at Geneva for consultations and exchange of views on the conference, due to be hosted by Doha in April. During the meeting the Arab Ambassadors expressed their pride over Qatar's hosting of the UNCTAD session after it was entrusted by the United Nations General Assembly to host it. They also expressed their confidence that current negotiations would result in an agreement of all UNCTAD members on the final report before its due date. For his part, Dr. Al Kuwari renewed the belief of the State of Qatar and it wise leadership in the responsibility placed on them in exceptional circumstances characterized by the exacerbation of the economic crisis and stumbling of development and its negative impacts on poor countries. HE the Minister said Qatar will make every effort to fill the development gap in the world and reduce its negative consequences. Qatar will host the UNCTAD's 13th session which will be held at Qatar National Convention Centre during the period from April 21 to 26 with the participation of a number of Heads of State and ministers concerned with trade and development in the UNCTAD's 193 member states. The State Qatar and will receive the Chair of the Conference for the next four years, to succeed of the Republic of Ghana which chaired UNCTAD's 12th session. The State of Qatar has signed in the city of Geneva, Switzerland in July 2011 an agreement with UNCTAD to host the conference. This choice came from a group of developing countries as a result of the big cumulative experience gained by the State of Qatar in organizing international conferences, in addition to the power of the Qatari economy. The UNCTAD was established in 1964 as a permanent intergovernmental body. It is the principal organ of the United Nations General Assembly dealing with trade, investment, and development issues. The organization's goals are to "maximize the trade, investment and development opportunities of developing countries and assist them in their efforts to integrate into the world economy on an equitable basis." (From official website). The creation of the conference was based on concerns of developing countries over the international market, multi-national corporations, and great disparity between developed nations and developing nations. (QNA)