Qatar's Minister of Culture Meets Heads of Arab Diplomatic Missions in Geneva, Corrected Repeat

Geneva, February 29 (QNA) - HE Qatar's Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, who is also the upcoming president of the 13th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), met here on Wednesday with the heads of the regional and geographical group and chairman of the UNCTAD's Wording Committee for consultations and exchange of views on the conference, due to be hosted by Doha in April. The heads of the regional and geographical group and chairman of the UNCTAD's Wording Committee voiced their appreciation for Qatar for hosting UNCTAD conference as assigned by the United National General Assembly. They also expressed their confidence the current negotiations with all the UNCTAD members would come up with their approval on the final report before schedule. For his part, Dr. Al Kuwari renewed the belief of the State of Qatar and it wise leadership in the responsibility placed on their shoulders amid such exceptional circumstances being characterized by the exacerbation of the economic crisis and the stumbling of the development process and its negative repercussions on the poor countries. HE the Minister said that Qatar will expert utmost effort to fill the development gap in the world and reduce its negative consequences. Qatar is scheduled to 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 Chairmanship of the Conference for the next four years, in succession to 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 aforesaid UNCTAD conference. This choice came from the group of the developing countries as a result of the big experience Qatar has gained in organizing the international conferences, in addition to the power of the Qatari economy. It is worthy to mention that the UNCTAD as a permanent intergovernmental body, was established in 1964 . 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." The meeting was attended by HE Sheikha Aliaa Bint Ahmed Bin Saif Al Thani, Qatar's Representative to the UN Geneva-based European Headquarters. (QNA)