Qatar took part in the Global Leadership Council meeting for the Generation Unlimited initiative, held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting, organized by Canada, saw participation from a wide range of international leaders, including Qatar’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, HE Lolwah bint Rashid AlKhater.
Key figures attending the meeting included Canada’s Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen; Canada’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Bob Rae; President of the UN Economic and Social Council, Paula Narvaez; and UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell.
In her remarks, HE AlKhater highlighted the strong partnership between Qatar and Canada, emphasizing the importance of the Generation Unlimited initiative as a platform for collaboration between governments, private sector leaders, development partners, civil society, and youth. She noted that this initiative aims to unlock the potential of 1.8 billion young people worldwide by providing them with the necessary skills and opportunities to contribute positively to their communities.
HE AlKhater stressed that youth empowerment is a top priority for Qatar, which has implemented various programs to support their development. She referenced Qatar’s work through the Education Above All Foundation and the Qatar Fund for Development, which have provided educational and economic empowerment opportunities to millions of children and youth in more than 60 countries.
HE AlKhater also praised the significant role of UNICEF in making a positive impact on the lives of children globally, underscoring Qatar’s commitment to international collaboration. She cited the country’s efforts to fulfill its commitments under the Charlevoix Declaration, led by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, which focused on educating one million girls. By 2020, Qatar had surpassed this goal by educating 1.7 million girls.
A major highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development. The MoU aims to strengthen joint foreign aid policies, promote economic and social development, and reduce poverty in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Additionally, HE AlKhater announced a framework agreement between the Education Above All Foundation and Global Affairs Canada to boost global cooperation in education. Under this agreement, the foundation has committed $40 million of a $95 million budget for 2024-2028.
In closing, HE AlKhater reaffirmed Qatar’s dedication to international cooperation, emphasizing the importance of multilateral action in addressing global challenges, especially in humanitarian and development sectors.
