Doha / Information Office / June 27 HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani announced Saturday that the State of Qatar pledged $10 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) to support the finding of testing equipment, treatment, and vaccine for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), in addition to its $20 million contribution to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI). His Excellency said, during his participation in a COVID-19 commitments campaign held through video conference by non-profit organization Global Citizen, that the State of Qatar was proud to support 'Global Goal: Unite for Our Future' campaign. His Excellency expressed the State of Qatar's thanks to the European Commission and to Global Citizen for partnering on the campaign. HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the novel Coronavirus pandemic was not just testing the healthcare systems, educational systems, and economies around the world, but also testing human principles and the ability to respond quickly by show solidarity across borders. His Excellency added that the scaling up of international support and political commitment was needed now, more than ever, to ensure access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines for all.

Dear friends across the world, As we celebrate the completion of Education City Stadium, the third venue for the World Cup 2022, we greet the champions of these times: the medical staff and all the staff of the teams working on the frontline against the Covid-19 pandemic who have saved the lives of many people and brought back hope to them. We thank you and we support you. As the world begins to open up, it is through your courage, dedication and sincerity that we truly believe in better days to come, the days when we will enjoy together watching the stars of the game in our stadiums. Qatar is looking forward, and more excited and enthusiastic than ever, to welcome guests from all over the world for an exceptional World Cup. Thank you very much.

I would like to congratulate the young generation of South Africa on the occasion of the Youth Day, while I also congratulate South Africa’s leadership and all its people. When I started my tenure as Ambassador of the State of Qatar to South Africa, I was impressed with the youth ration in the country which is very similar to the youth ration in my country: third of the population in both our countries. Therefore, celebrating this day in South Africa is wise and objective policy in the rainbow nation country. South African youth played the essential role in liberating their country and achieving the momentum of the freedom day in 1994. Youth are key to Development and supposed to be imperative driver of efficiency. An imperative mechanism of achieving this development would depend on enhancing the quality and efficiency of both the young individual and the institution. Let’s remember that the right terminology of development is not only "Sustainable Development", in fact, it is called "Sustainable Human Development" and based on the international momentum to do so on a holistic approach, the UN adopted the MDGs in 2000. It also adopted the new SDGs in September 2015 at the highest political level of heads of state and government, aiming at achieving 17 goals of Sustainable Human Development by 2030. I had the honor to serve at the UN for more than a decade where I witnessed how South Africa played essential role as an important policy maker, with focus on youth and education agendas as well. The State of Qatar also shares the same focus and values like South Africa, focusing on youth and education as driving force for development. Thanks to the responsible leaderships in both countries, and wise policies that knew that investing in the brains of its young generation, through quality education, Can prepare our young girls and boys to protect our development gains. Educated and competent young individuals can occupy and build real efficient and reliable institutions that countries need to deliver services for citizens. Well educated diplomats as well can definitely be well equipped with the needed spirit and qualities to build bridges between nations. Among the bridges that youth are energetic in, is sport, and I’m confident that both youth generations of Qatar and South Africa are looking forward so much to the World Cup 2022 in Doha, my home town. This historical event won’t be happening without them and without their participation. I’m proud that both Qatar and South Africa shares these values and policies, which will enhance the bridges between our two friendly countries and instill the culture of peace in our generations, for bright and successful future. By Tariq Ali Faraj Al-Ansari Ambassador of the State of Qatar Pretoria, South Africa 🇿🇦

The Embassy of the State of Qatar in Pretoria would like to provide the following update concerning the repatriation programme of stranded South Africans abroad and Stranded foreigners in South Africa, conducted by Qatar Airways relif charter flights, in coordination with the relevant authorities in Doha, the Embassy of the state of Qatar in Pretoria, DIRCO and the Department of Transportation in South Africa. - The programme successfully resulted in the repatriation of 1187 South African nationals and the return of 1816 foreigners to their respective countries, through 14 inbound and outbound flights between Doha and Johannesburg. Last conducted inbound and outbound flights took place on the 2nd of June 2020. - This program demonstrates the needed solidarity and international cooperation in order to respond to the corona pandemic, COVID-19 and it represents an example of the excellent bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of South Africa, and all friendly states. - We stand ready to resume the programme once flights clearances are granted by the Government of our friendly South Africa.

Doha, June 04 (QNA) - HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani stressed Thursday in the meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Small Group, that despite the exceptional circumstances faced by the State of Qatar and the world because of the coronavirus (COVD-19) pandemic, the State of Qatar remains committed to combating ISIS in Iraq and Syria and to the goals of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS to create conditions for a permanent defeat of the terrorist group through a comprehensive and multifaceted effort. HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani considered that ISIS crimes against civilians and flagrant violations of international law require uncompromising measures and enhanced cooperation across all coalition lines to ensure the protection of civilians and to ensure that ISIS and its affiliates are unable to reconstitute any regional enclave or continue to pose an international threat to peace and security. HE the Foreign Minister stressed that the State of Qatar is determined to continue its cooperation to achieve the necessary conditions for the recovery and stability of Iraq and Syria and to provide the necessary assistance to legitimate partners on the ground, which are now more important than ever in the context of the pandemic. His Excellency expressed appreciation for the efforts made by the government of Iraq in the war against ISIS, which the Prime Minister declared is one of the priorities of the new government. He said that the State of Qatar shares with its partners concern about the emerging threat posed by ISIS affiliates in particular in West Africa and the Sahel region, adding that there is a need for more coordination while addressing the root causes of this threat in those areas.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I extend my thanks and appreciation to Mr. Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, for organising and hosting this important conference. The COVID-19 pandemic constitutes an unprecedented challenge and threat to all humanity at all levels. In the absence of an effective vaccine or cure, some countries and societies have found themselves faced with the choice between two options both of which are bitter to swallow: either to seek prevention by lockdowns that may cripple the economy, or put the lives of people at risk by opting not to sacrifice the economy. Some countries have chosen compromising solutions by combining continuing to coexist with the pandemic and fighting it at the same time. This crisis has shown that there is no alternative to international cooperation and exchange of experiences, which necessitate the redoubling of the joint efforts to eliminate COVID-19 with effective vaccines and cures, and preparations for confronting new epidemics in the long run. The State of Qatar has spared no effort to enhance the rapid response to counter the serious repercussions of the crisis, and has promptly taken all preventive procedures and measures to reduce its impact, and protect the citizens and residents on its soil. Based on human solidarity we have provided medical assistance to more than 20 countries around the world in terms of supplies of medical equipment and construction of field hospitals, in addition to providing $140 million dollars worth of financial contribution for multilateral health care institutions working to develop vaccines and ensuring the efficiency of health care, especially in the least developed countries. In this context, we call upon the international community to work jointly to ensure fairness in providing necessary medicines and medical equipment to all countries. The State of Qatar reiterates its support to the World Health Organization (WHO) for its coordinating efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and to promote global readiness to confront infectious diseases in the future. I would like to announce a new $20 million dollar pledge from the State of Qatar to “GAVI” alliance. In conclusion, I reiterate my thanks to the United Kingdom for organising this conference, hoping that it will achieve its desired objectives. May the Peace, Mercy, and Blessings of God be upon you.

The State of Qatar obtained, by unanimous vote, the approval of the General Assembly of the Global Coding Office (GS1) by giving the State of Qatar the right to establish a coding and tracking office for Qatari products. The State of Qatar has obtained the code 630 for homemade products that can be exported abroad or even traded within the country.

The Embassy of the State of Qatar in Pretoria would like to confirm the continuation of operating Qatar Airways Relief Charter Flights between Doha - HIA and Johannesburg - O.R.Tambo, which started on the 5th of May 2020, and will continue till the 2nd of June 2020, in cooperation between the embassy, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa (DIRCO), the relevant authorities in Qatar and Qatar Airways, in order to assist in repatriating stranded South African nationals from various cities around the world, and repatriating other foreign nationals from South Africa via Doha, to their respective countries. Qatar Airways office in South Africa will provide the respective embassies with consolidated booking lists of their citizens, and esteemed embassies shall send those lists with formal request to the embassy of the State of Qatar in Pretoria through email: Pretoria@mofa.gov.qa, where the embassy shall ratify them and formally communicate them to the respective South African authorities for final clearance. 10 inbound and outbound flights were achieved so far since the program started on 6 May 2020, where hundreds of South Africans could return and hundreds of foreigners could depart to reach their homes in their respective countries. More flights are scheduled on 28th of May and 2nd, 6th, 10th, 14th, 18th, 22nd, 26th, 30th of June. This will culminate into 28 flight in total. Concentration point for passengers: in front of embassy’s location, 1077 Justice Mohamed Street WaterKloof 0181, 4 hours before departure. Embassy and Qatar Airways staff will assist passengers and Qatar Airways will provide busses to transport passengers to O.R. Tambo airport, Johannesburg. This program demonstrates the needed solidarity and international cooperation in order to respond to the corona pandemic, COVID-19 and it represents an example of the excellent bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of South Africa, and all friendly states. Last update: 25 May 2020

Departure Process in Place for Departing Passengers on the Repatriation Flight EX-JNB Sunday, 24 May/ QR1368

Departure Process in Place for Departing Passengers on the Repatriation Flight EX-JNB Wednesday 20 May/QR1368