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Qatar-Doha

Qatar participated in the high-level UN General Assembly Thematic Debate on Digital Cooperation and Connectivity, which was held remotely.

HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti said in the speech of Qatar during this discussion: "The State of Qatar extends its deep thanks and appreciation to HE the President of the General Assembly for holding this meeting on a top priority topic, particularly during this critical juncture where the world continues to tremendously suffer under the burden of the coronavirus pandemic -- a juncture that has demonstrated the urgent need and critical importance of electronic connectivity and the digital technology's significant contribution to facing the pandemic and efforts to plug the digital gap."

HE al-Sulaiti added: "The State of Qatar pays great attention to enhancing the positive side of using innovative technology and has made remarkable strides in digital transformation and in developing its ICT sector. Qatar has also adopted multiple initiatives to boost research, development and increasing its competitiveness and to keep pace with latest digital skills."

HE the Minister said: "Based on the huge potential and opportunities from digital technology, Qatar's investment in this domain has helped provide innovative and flexible solutions that did enable the country to take immediate and effective measures to contain the pandemic and lessen its impact. They also helped ensure the availability of public services remotely, uninterruptedly, effectively and efficiently. Given the fast-paced nature of ICT, the Ministry of Transport and Communications in Qatar, through its various programmes and initiatives such as Smart Qatar Program (TASMU) and the Qatar Digital Government, is building a robust and safe sector that contributes to boosting a diversified national economy, building up a digital society where all individuals have equal opportunity to access the technology and keep pace with digital skills, ending with building a smart Qatar."

HE al-Sulaiti pointed out that Qatar Science and Technology Park, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, and which is a leading incubation hub for innovative technology projects, is also supporting research, innovation and entrepreneurism. It significantly contributed to enabling Qatar to compete in the file of technology.

"In the context of the vital role of technology and using it to achieve the sustainable development plan for 2030 for the benefit of all and in light of the importance of digital co-operation to achieve this goal, the State of Qatar stresses on the importance of the UN Secretary-General's Roadmap on Digital Cooperation, which represents a firm foundation to address the gaps of universal digital cooperation and to capture the opportunities offered by technology. The State of Qatar appreciates and backs the work undertaken by the high-level team concerned with digital cooperation."

HE the Minister said that Qatar has been at the forefront as a founding investor in a unique experience; specifically, in the UN Development Program (UNDP) Sustainable Development Goals Accelerator Labs, which currently, using technology and creativity, offer creative solutions and measures to the challenges caused by the pandemic. And Qatar has committed a multiyear contribution totalling $20mn to support those labs.

The Qatar Computing Research Institute, which offers significant solutions to technology challenges and supports fostering Qatar's creative and technological capabilities, has signed an MoU with UNDP, defining the framework of cooperation to develop the capabilities of the labs in the fields of data science and AI.

At the end of his speech, he said that Qatar will spare no effort in enhancing the positive side of using innovative technology and digital transformation to create a human-centric, inclusive, development-driven information society and to further back the efforts for achieving inclusive sustainable development.

Video of the State of Qatar's speech at UN talks on digital outreach, click here.