[Qatar] Sheikha Moza pledges more support to UNESCO

Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Unesco’s Special Envoy for Basic and Higher Education, has pledged to increase her support to Unesco’s core education activities as a direct response to the financial difficulties faced by the organisation.

Sheikha Moza is particularly concerned that the decision of some member states to withhold contributions will have serious and adverse consequences on Unesco’s core programmes and mark setbacks for sustainable development and peace, at a time when international cooperation is critical for achieving quality universal education, a statement posted on the Unesco website said.

Sheikha Moza has called upon all partners to join her in this initiative given the challenges ahead, four years short of the 2015 target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and following the commitment made by the Heads of States at the Millennium Development Goal Summit in New York in 2010.

Sheikha Moza has stated that the financial difficulties faced by the organisation stands to affect all its core programmes.

“This marks a very strong sign of Her Highness’ deep commitment to education for all, which is the foundation for building more peaceful and sustainable societies.

“Unesco will put every effort into ensuring that this support translates into opening educational opportunities for the most marginalised, improving the quality of education systems in least developed countries, and forging new partnerships,” said Unesco’s Director-General Irina Bokova.

This emergency initiative will support the programme and budget adopted by the 36th General Conference, in particular the reinforcement of leadership for Education for All, through advocacy, partnership and monitoring, with a special emphasis on girls and women.

Concerted attention will be placed on the least developed countries, which are furthest away from reaching the Education for All goals.

The modalities for this important initiative will be worked out in the next few weeks with all the speed and urgency required to minimise the possible negative impact to Unesco core programme adopted by the 36th General Conference of Member States.

Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who is also the United Nations’ Secretary-General’s special advocate for Millennium Development Goal 2 on primary education, has provided long time support to Unesco’s activities, notably for literacy, curriculum development, teacher education and rehabilitation of higher education in Iraq, emergency support to education in Gaza, and support to the publication of the Education under Attack series.

Director-General Irina Bokova expressed her gratitude to Her Highness for her positive and timely support to Unesco.

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Who will be the next pregnant royal lady?

Well, as almost all royal houses have given us 15 years of lavish and emotional weddings, we have less and less people to get married and more and more couples we are waiting to see grow a family. Because this is what we expect from the royal peeps: find the amazing girl, give her the amazing ring, showcase it during an amazing engagement interview, tease us for months with an amazing wait and weight loss until the ceremony, throw an amazing wedding, go on an amazing honeymoon (not all of them, but most of them) and then... in a few months, get us in a frenetic and less amazing baby watching mood.

So here are the young (and not so young) couples we want to see get pregnant and have lovely babies with royal genes before 2015.

Non European Houses

Japan

I do not think "pregnancy" and "Japan" meshes well together. Let's leave Masako alone.

Jordan

With four kids, I have nothing to ask Queen Rania in this field. And I am not that familiar with all the other members of the Hashemite house.

Qatar

Sheikha Mozah has 7 kids (kids... cof cof... they are older than me) and - at least - 11 grandchildren. I think we are good there.

Saudi Arabia

Does that lovely princess I just discovered yesterday have children? Would love to know.

Non-reigning European Houses

Greece

Princess Marie-Chantal gave Crown Prince Pavlos five kids in 12 years and Princess Alexia has had four with Carlos Morales from 2002 to 2007. I think we are done here and God bless their souls. Now, you, Princess Tatiana, welcome to the family, hope you are enjoying it very much, solo with handsome Prince Nikolaos. But clock is ticking and you have at least four or five kids to deliver in the next ten years to keep up with the pace of the Greek Royal family. Do not fail on us. Little suggestion: start soon and you will be done by 2021.

Reigning European Houses

Belgium

Mathilde and Philippe have four children, amazing Astrid and Lorenz have five and younger prince Laurent did a 2 in 1 catch with his twin boys and has three children. I think that with 12 fresh and young grandchildren, King Albert II and Queen Paola can rest assured that their name will continue for several generation, Belgium existing as a united country or not.

Denmark

I do not know why, but I feel Mary and Frederik will have a fifth child. But not now. Maybe in six or seven years.

I am sure Prince Joachim is happy enjoying his three boys but Marie and him just got married three years ago, have a lot to live together and am sure they would love to have more children. So I guess, sooner than later, maybe in two or three years, Marie will make such an announcement and we'll have a fourth boy or a first girl for our beloved Joachim. Beckham style.

Liechtenstein

Hans-Adam is the head of the state but his son Alois is taking care of the house. The Liechtensteiners are a bit like the Greek: they go for the big numbers when we count the children. Hans-Adam himself, has four children. Alois, his first, has four. Maximilian has a 10-year-old boy, Constantin has three kids and Tatjana - let's breathe - has had 6 kids since year 2000. Oh Tatjana, God bless YOU! So... I do not see anyone expecting a new one anytime soon. But you know what they say, 7 is a very good and lucky and biblical number...

Luxembourg

To be pretty honest, the Luxembourgers are serious contenders for the "let's get them married" awards (need to write a POST) more than this post right here. Of course, we have precocious Prince Louis and wife, Princess Tessy who already started having children in their youth, but they are all pretty young and unmarried. Therefore, let's get Guillaume and Felix married quickly and come back to update this thread somewhere before 2015.

Monaco

Well, Charlene, I know you didn't even get married yet, but from July on, you have 15 months to get pregnant before PAII is forced to adopt Andrea as his successor. Ahhh... kidding, no pressure. But please, have babies. So that Albert can prove us he can introduce us to babies once they are born and not when they already walk or are on their way to college.

The Netherlands

Pfffffffffff.... I do not see anyone getting knocked up in here. Maxima, Laurentien and Mabel seem to be FINE just the way they are with their 3-3-2 strategy.

Norway

Mette-Marit and Märtha-Louise are busy. But I would see the first have a fourth one in less than five years. But I am less confident in this bet than on the one that Mary and Fred will go for a fifth.

Spain

Cristina already said no way Jose, she is fine with her quartet. Elena is divorced and Letizia... I do not see Letizia having more children. She lost the race with Mary - as they seemed to be in tremendous synchro in the first five years of their married life - but things changed now and we will have Leonor and Sofia FTW.

Sweden

VICTORIA VICTORIA VICTORIA.

United Kingdom

CATHERINE CATHERINE CATHERINE.

And Zara.

And Autumn. Bis.

Emir of Qatar and wife Sheikha Mozah in Spain - day one (photos)

Sheikha Mozah, Queen Sofia, Princess Letizia.

Mozah is the Emir's second wife. Her second son is the Heir Apparent to the throne, as her older son resigned a few years ago. She is 51 years old.

Sheikha Mozah with Queen Sofia, Infanta Cristina and Princess Letizia

Infanta Cristina, Queen Sofia, Sheik Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, King Juan Carlos I, Sheikha Mozah, Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia on the Emir's official visit to Spain. These photos were taken just before their official lunch.

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Emir of Qatar welcomed by King Juan Carlos I as he starts state visit in Spain

The emir of Qatar arrived in Madrid on Monday on a visit to boost economic ties between the oil-rich Gulf state and Spain, which is seeking new investments to shore up its battered economy.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and his wife, Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, lunched with King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia at the royal palace of Zarazuela outside Madrid following their arrival.

On Tuesday, he is to hold talks over lunch with Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, after which several agreements will be signed, Spanish media reported.

The three-day visit follows a trip to the tiny Gulf state by Zapatero in March during which he received pledges of some 3.0 billion euros ($4.4 billion) in investments, some of which would go to Spain's ailing savings banks.

Days later, Spanish power giant Iberdrola said that Qatari investment fund Qatar Holding would buy a 6.16 percent stake in the group for 2.2 billion euros. Spain is also interested in investment opportunities for its construction companies raised by Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup, the business daily Cinco Dias reported.

Spain is battling to rein in its massive public deficit and convince nervous markets that it will not require an international bailout similar to that requested by neighbour Portugal this month and granted to Greece and Ireland last year.

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King and Queen of Jordan pay visit to Qatar to talk about present situation in Middle-East and North Africa

King Abdullah of Jordan has said that his country was working in collaboration with Qatar to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Libya.

King Abdullah who was on a brief visit to Qatar yesterday held talks with the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The talks focused on regional and international issues and ways to bolster bilateral relations.

The session was attended by the Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

On the Jordanian side, it was attended by Prince Ali bin Al Hussein and Chief of Royal Hashemite Court Dr Khaled Karaki and Jordanian Ambassador to Qatar Ahmed Jalal Al Mefleh.

The Emir and H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser hosted a luncheon banquet at Al Wajba Palace in honour of King Abdullah and Queen Rania.

The luncheon banquet was also attended by the Heir Apparent.

King Abdullah, in remarks to Al Sharq before his arrival in Qatar said that his talks with the Emir would focus on Arab issues in the context of the current challenges and protests in the Arab world. He also underlined the need for more coordinated efforts to address the challenges.

Asked about relations with Qatar, King Abdullah said, “Surely we will concentrate on ways to strengthen relations with Qatar and other GCC countries for the benefit of our people.”

Commenting on the role of Qatar in Libya, King Abdullah said, “I am following all the developments in Libya and I am interested in the unity of Libya and the safety of its people. What is happening there would have a negative impact on the people, who are in need of help from their Arab brothers.”

“We are aware that Qatar is playing a crucial role since the beginning of the protests to alleviate the suffering of the Libyan people. Our policy is to support Qatar in seeking the unity of Libyans. We will carry out our duty to provide more medical and humanitarian aid to the people in Libya,” he added.

“Currently we are providing humanitarian aid through out royal air force in line with the decision of the Arab League and the international community. We will coordinate with Qatar to establish mobile hospitals in Libya equipped with qualified medical staff,” said King Abdullah.

On the stalled peace process, King Abdullah said the developments in the region should not force the Arabs to stop supporting the peace process.

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