HE Qatar's Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi called on the governments of developing and developed countries to move quickly towards a just and equitable world by investing in food security and agricultural and rural development, stressing that alleviating hunger is not only a moral duty but a sound economic thinking.
In a speech before the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development (2017), due to conclude his work here later today under the theme of eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing Arab region, HE the Minister of Municipalities and Environment noted that one of the most important achievements of humanity in the last century is the production of sufficient food to meet the needs of the world's population, pointing that the world population has doubled and the number of hungry people has exceeded one billion, which means that everyone faces great challenges that can not be ignored or justified.
He pointed out that the State of Qatar paid particular attention to the issue of international cooperation and humanitarian assistance, in the belief that it is important to support efforts and initiatives aimed at economic, social and agricultural development processes and addressing global hunger and poverty. He explained that the Qatar, in this regard, has programs within the efforts of the Arab League in the Comoros and those of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Niger, pointing out that partnerships and cooperatives are the main elements in the success of such food security projects.
Meanwhile, HE the Minister lauded the efforts of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to reduce poverty, hunger and malnutrition, pointing out that the Arab region has all the basic capabilities necessary to provide food security, noting the need to create clear policies that support the strategy set for the range (2017-2030).
HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi also stressed the importance of good planning for the implementation of specific visions to be formulated in the form of local and regional programs, and then launching specific projects, to be financed by banks, funds, governments and private sector. He Noted that the role of governments alone would not be sufficient to provide food security, as the private sector, civil society organizations, international and regional bodies should be involved. The Arab League, its organizations and partners should also have an important partnership with international organizations and institutions, he added.
He said that the importance of the Forum stems from being a platform for consultation, dialogue and decision-making on the most serious challenges and issues facing the international community today, namely the issue of global food security and the human right to adequate food.
The Arab Forum for Sustainable Development is a high-level meeting that serves as a regional platform to discuss, follow-up and review the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan in the Arab region in a coordinated and coherent manner.
In this regard, the Forum discussed several issues, including the eradication of poverty and the promotion of prosperity in the Arab region. It reviewed national experiences and the extent of integration and harmonization of policies in this regard. It also discussed some of the challenges facing the region in eradicating poverty and achieving prosperity for all, including vulnerability, instability and conflict, as well as the focus on how to implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan.

Source: QNA