[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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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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