UNSC President Calls for Positive Development for Poorer Countries

Doha, April 22 (QNA) - The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XIII), which opened yesterday at the Doha National Convention Centre, continued its sessions today. During a special session, chaired by HE the Minister of Culture, Heritage and Arts Dr. Hamad bin Abdul Aziz Al-Kuwari, who is also the UNCTAD XIII president, HE the President of the United Nations General Assembly Ambassador Nasser bin Abdul Aziz Al-Nasr called on UNCTAD member states to direct their "creative differences" towards achieving of a positive development in the World Poorest Countries, which calls for a better life. HE Ambassador Al-Nasr said member states must, as they try to channel these creative differences towards achieving positive results, avoid suppressing the will of all people, particularly the poorest and most vulnerable, which calls for a better life. He explained that this will is the original source for the sake of which this very special institution has originated, adding that within the framework of the UNCTAD, balance and pragmatism should constitute the main slogans. Ambassador Al-Nasr said that the absence of these slogans can lead to the undermining of confidence and the loss of legitimacy, stressing that all in their capacity as stakeholders in the works of UNCTAD, should provide appropriate guidance to the Conference. He called for a direct, honest and realistic look to the problems facing the world today in order to determine appropriate priorities and take advantage of the resources of UNCTAD as effectively as possible. The President of the United Nations General Assembly meanwhile hailed the contribution of the State of Qatar to the promotion of United Nations' developmental agenda. He noted that, in his capacity as the current President of the United Nations General Assembly, focuses a great deal of his efforts on international development issues, given the fact that the General Assembly is the main forum to discuss the international economic and financial system. He pointed out that he identified the issue of sustainable development and global prosperity, "as one of pillars of his vision to the General Assembly works during this session". Ambassador Al-Nasr reviewed the various stages the UNCTAD has undergone since the first conference, and the United Nations' decision to accept it as a UN-sponsored organization in a unique way in the framework of the United Nations structure. He also noted that the UNCTAD meeting conspicuously reflected concerns of the majority of UN General Assembly member states in the field of development, which also represent the concerns of the vast majority of the world's population, emphasizing the distinct role that has been played by the conference in expressing the most urgent needs of developing countries and support for meeting such needs, as well as in providing a forum through which all participating countries could develop the appropriate frameworks to discuss the multi-faceted development plan.(QNA)