The State of Qatar underlined that the COVID-19 pandemic poses an unprecedented threat to countries and societies, and its repercussions, especially the economic and social, will affect the progress made towards achieving the sustainable development goals and the protection and promotion of human rights.

This came in the statement of the State of Qatar, delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar in Geneva Ambassador Ali Khalfan Al Mansouri, before the Human Rights Council during the interactive dialogue on the High Commissioners report on the central role of the State in responding to pandemics and other health emergencies and the social and economic consequences thereof.

HE Qatar's Permanent Representative stressed the need of adopting a joint international cooperative approach in order to ensure an effective and coordinated response to limit the negative impacts imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, and to ensure that vaccines are accessible to everyone in a safe, urgent and equitable manner.

Since the start of the pandemic, the State of Qatar has been keen on providing all services, health and medical care and vaccination to all citizens and residents, HE Ambassador Al Mansouri said, stressing that the issue of protecting and respecting human rights was the basis for the measures taken to protect from the virus and address its repercussions.

HE Qatar's Permanent Representative in Geneva added that the State of Qatar has also provided the necessary support to reduce the negative effects, especially the economic and the social, and has adopted many measures to ensure the full protection of expat workers and that they obtain all their rights.

HE Ambassador Al Mansouri noted that the State of Qatar provided medical assistance to nearly 88 countries, in addition to government and non-government assistance amounted to more than $256 million. The State also supported programs for the development and provision of vaccines, and allocated a large part of development aid to developing and the least developing countries aiming at enhancing their capabilities for facing challenges, resilience and recovery.

(QNA)