United Nations Day celebrated in Qatar

United Nations Day has been celebrated for the first time in Qatar, marking the strong relationship between the UN and the State of Qatar.

News | 13 December 2018
Anna Paolini. Director, UNESCO Regional Office in Doha, UN Secretary-General's Humanitarian Envoy Dr. Ahmed Al Meraikhi, Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, HE Yousif bin Mohammed Al Othman Fakhro and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary-General HE Dr. Ahmed Al Hammadi cut the cake to celebrate UN day.

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United Nations agencies based in Qatar, namely the UN Secretary-General's Humanitarian Envoy Dr. Ahmed Al Meraikhi, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), International Labour Organization (ILO) and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) together with the Government of the State of Qatar organised the celebration at the Qatar National Library on 13 December 2018.

The event took place in the presence of Qatar’s Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, His Excellency Yousif bin Mohammed Al Othman Fakhro and Ministry of Foreign AffairsSecretary-General His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Al Hammadi.

Also participating were high-level officials of the government, diplomatic corps, representatives of charity, philanthropic, youth and civil society organizations, universities and research institutions as well as the private sector. Musicians from the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra performed well-loved melodies from around the world including compositions by Qatar’s legendary composer Dana Alfardan.

Members of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra help celebrate UN Day.
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UN Day helps raise public awareness on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda for Humanity, which are critical for the successful implementation of national humanitarian and development plans. The State of Qatar is committed to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda with its long-term development outcomes, as articulated in the Qatar National Vision 2030, built on the principles of sustainable development. Moreover, Qatar’s efforts in relief and humanitarian work have increased dramatically over the past decade illustrating a commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to reducing the suffering of 134.1million people worldwide and support for the Agenda for Humanity. This year’s celebration also provided an occasion to raise awareness of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2018.

United Nations Day, is celebrated on 24 October every year, marking the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945. The State of Qatar was formally admitted to the United Nations on 21 September 1971, celebrating its 47th anniversary as Member State of the United Nations this year.