New York: Based on Qatar’s initiative, in partnership with Italy, Thailand, Mexico and Morocco, the UN General Assembly held a meeting on ‘Integrating crime prevention and criminal justice’ into the UN post-2015 Development Agenda.
It also discussed the 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice to be held in Doha from April 12 to 19.
In a televised statement, Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamad Al Attiyah expressed satisfaction over justice and economic and social development — two essential elements — to ensure success of the agenda beyond 2015.
Today our meeting provides a unique opportunity for exchange of views on interdependence between the rule of law and development, Dr Al Attiyah said, adding the meeting discussed proposals and recommendations for practical action and initiatives we have taken to address social and economic challenges and promote sustainable development by strengthening systems, norms and standards of crime prevention and criminal justice.
He said the current year opens prospects of changing our world and we should continue work to ensure success of the agenda beyond 2015.
He said the 13th UN Congress will be held at an important stage where the rule of law and development agenda beyond 2015 will top its agenda.
Dr Al Attiyah stressed Qatar’s commitment to work with all UN member states to ensure the realisation of aspirations to be included in Doha Declaration and make the document a starting point for a new era.
He said Qatar pledged to exert every possible effort as part of the international community’s efforts to face challenges in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice, based on the country’s responsibility for the congress.
The forum will bring together top officials from UN members to discuss work in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice and promotion of the rule of law at national and international levels to achieve justice for all.
Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the UN, chaired the first session of the meeting which discussed ‘Towards sustainable development: Successes and challenges in implementation of comprehensive policies on crime prevention and criminal justice’.
Qatar was represented by Major General Dr Abdullah Yusuf Al Maal, Adviser to the Prime Minister and Interior Minister, and Chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the UN Congress; Dr Ahmed Hassan Al Hammadi, Director, Legal Affairs, Foreign Ministry and Deputy Chairman of the committee; and Ali Khalfan Al Mansouri, Qatari Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to international organisations in Vienna.QNA
