Doha / September 09 ,2020

HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that the noble directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani affirm that financing education in emergencies has priority in the development aid provided by the State of Qatar.

This came in the speech of HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs during the high-level virtual event held to mark the International Day to Protect Education from Armed Attack, which was organized by the Education Above All Foundation in the State of Qatar, the UNICEF, and the UNESCO.

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed pleasure and pride that the State of Qatar, in partnership with the UNESCO, the UNICEF and the Education Above All Foundation, hosts this high-level event, which is held for the first time to mark the International Day to Protect Education from Armed Attack, with the participation of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, and Chairperson of the Education Above Foundation; HE the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, HE President of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande; and a prominent elite of personalities known for their humanitarian contributions.

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the meeting today aims to follow up on the implementation of General Assembly Resolution A/74/275 presented by the State of Qatar, declaring September 9 the International Day to Protect Education from Armed Attack, hailing the appreciated efforts exerted by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who was the driving force behind this initiative, like the other humanitarian and development initiatives of great impact in various regions of the world.

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser carried out an international leadership role to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, and she continues its valuable and acclaimed efforts to protect and provide quality education around the world to the most marginalized children, and to ensure their ability to go to school in a safe and secure environment.

HE underlined the importance of holding this event amidst the exceptional and painful circumstances resulting from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which affects more than 75 million children and young people in urgent need to receive educational support in 35 countries affected by crises. The event also represents a message from this high-ranking elite that education can be an effective and influential tool to bring about positive transformations in societies, and make crises an opportunity to enhance cooperation and synergy, in the interest of all, and to create a world where peace, prosperity and human dignity prevail.

The event also represents an important occasion to call for an end to deliberate attacks on education and the armed violence suffered by students, teachers, schools and other educational institutions around the world, without regard to the devastating effects of these attacks on the hopes and aspirations of children and the youth and to their negative effects on sustainable development, peace and human rights, HE added.

He said that the State of Qatar hopes that students and youth will be guided on this day, and to use this day to raise awareness and pressure to end the attacks on educational institutions and protect them, and to realize the dreams of children and youth as builders of the future and the hope of peoples and humanity.

HE believed that this event sends an important message that education can be an effective and influential tool to bring about positive transformations in societies, and make crises an opportunity to enhance cooperation and synergy, in the interest of all, and to create a world where peace, prosperity and human dignity prevail.

In line with the commitment of the State of Qatar and its partnership with the international community to achieve peace, development and protection of human rights, it has been keen on cooperation and work with partners within the framework of the United Nations and beyond to provide an appropriate environment to enable children and youth to obtain quality education, HE underlined.

In this context, the State of Qatar spares no effort to settle disputes by peaceful means, in order to avoid the destructive effects of those conflicts on various aspects of life, especially vulnerable groups, and most importantly children and youth, HE stressed, noting that the noble directives of HH the Amir affirms that financing education in emergency situations has priority in the development assistance provided by the State of Qatar.

He noted that millions of out-of-school children in more than 78 countries have benefited from the initiatives launched by the State of Qatar through the Education Above All Foundation and its partners, with the support of Qatar Fund for Development, in addition to many initiatives and programs.

HE stressed that education is a major and effective tool for development and prosperity, and for rebuilding economies and societies torn apart by conflicts and crises, adding that coronavirus pandemic showed the existing inequality in the structure of the education field in some countries, and the urgent need to address it, as children and youth are the most affected by this pandemic.

HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani reiterated that education comes at the forefront of Qatar's policy priorities, and stressed that the State of Qatar will continue its commitment to make education available to millions of underprivileged children, and to protect educational institutions.