Day: April 21, 2024

The Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities (RACA) will take part in the 20th Dubai International Humanitarian and Aid Development Conference and Exhibition (DIHAD), which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre in the United Arab Emirates from April 23-25.

The event is organized under the theme “DIHAD 2004-2024: Humanitarian Diplomacy and a Journey to the Future.” RACA will dedicate a special pavilion to review the accomplishments of the Qatari charitable sector.

DIHAD is one of the major humanitarian events at the level of charitable and humanitarian levels, which gathers a contingent of decision-makers from a variety of humanitarian actors.

In addition, the event will see the participation of more than 900 non-governmental organizations, humanitarian associations, and global trade brands to shine a spotlight on humanitarian issues and strengthen cooperation to build a better future, with the engagement of 131 professional speakers in the humanitarian field globally through 24 panel discussi
ons and 144 innovative workshops that offer training and explore solutions of foremost priorities in humanitarian diplomacy.

The Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) will participate in the RACA pavilion in DIHAD.

Source: Qatar News Agency

The israeli occupation forces shot a Palestinian woman on Sunday at a military checkpoint in the northern Jordan Valley in the West Bank, killing her.

Local sources said that the occupation shot a woman for allegedly trying to carry out a stabbing attack at Al-Hamra checkpoint, then prevented the ambulance crews from reaching her, after closing the military checkpoint in both directions.

The israeli occupation forces set up Al-Hamra military checkpoint at a crossroads linking the cities of the West Bank to the central, southern and northern Jordan Valley.

Various parts of the occupied West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem are subjected to daily raids and incursions into villages and towns by the israeli occupation forces, accompanied by clashes, arrests, and the firing of live and rubber bullets as well as toxic tear gas bombs at Palestinian youth.

The pace of these violent acts increased in conjunction with the unprecedented and ongoing aggression on the Gaza Strip for 198 consecutive days, as they have alrea
dy killed more than 34,000 Palestinians and injured more than 76,000 others.

Source: Qatar News Agency

HE Vice-Chairperson and Executive Director of the Climate Change Commission of the Republic of the Philippines Robert Borje emphasized that the Visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to the Philippines represents a significant starting point for broader and expanded cooperation between the two countries regarding the efforts to combat climate change.

In his remarks to Qatar News Agency , His Excellency said that the visit of HH the Amir would encourage the identification of goals, priorities, and areas of common interest related to the mitigation and adaptation of the effects of climate change, in addition to exchanging ideas and experiences in addressing relevant challenges and stimulating innovative solutions and methods that suit the specific contexts and needs of both countries.

His Excellency added that the Philippines realizes that cooperation between countries is necessary to confront the urgent and complex challenges posed by climate change. He pointed out that through bilateral cooper
ation between Qatar and the Philippines, knowledge, resources, and best practices can be exchanged to mitigate the climate risks that the two countries may face.

HE Borje stressed that cooperation with the State of Qatar to move towards renewable energy sources and adopt sustainable practices is vital to achieving international climate goals, such as those stipulated in the Paris Agreement to confront climate change that was reached during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in 2015.

He stressed that the Philippines requires support in adapting to the impacts of climate change. “Cooperation with Qatar can facilitate access to funding, technology, and expertise to strengthen climate resilience and protect vulnerable communities,” he said.

His Excellency also praised Qatar’s commitment and its support for global efforts to confronting climate change. “Qatar’s efforts to enhance its climate policies, invest in renewable energy, and promote sustainable development demonstrate its commitment to
reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate risks,” he said.

He said that cooperation between Qatar and other countries is essential for accelerating progress towards a low-carbon economy and building resilience to climate impacts.

He pointed out that cooperation between the State of Qatar and the Philippines in confronting climate change would contribute to strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations and would also provide many opportunities in various sectors, including agriculture, food security, renewable energy, and the ability to withstand and adapt to climate change, urban and sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, climate finance and technology transfer, research and innovation, and water resources management.

His Excellency also noted Qatar National Environment and Climate Change Strategy and Qatar National Climate Change Action Plan 2030, which highlight s Qatar’s commitment to climate action and adherence to international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement.
He said that both documents fit with the Philippines National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP), developed in 2011, which enables both countries to cooperate together to achieve their ambitious goals in that regard.

In a related context, HE the Vice-Chairperson and Executive Director of the Climate Change Commission of the Republic of the Philippines praised Qatar’s hosting of the Expo 2023 Doha, stressing that this global event offered a platform a platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and collective action on pressing global challenges, including climate change.

“Qatar’s hosting of Expo 2023 signals the country’s commitment to forge partnerships and alliances between countries, organizations, and stakeholders to address climate change. The Expo 2023 Doha also facilitates networking and collaboration with international partners, fostering relationships that can lead to joint projects, research collaborations, and technology transfers,” he said.

Regarding the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) forum’s i
nterest in the environment and climate change, the Philippine official explained that issues of climate change and environmental sustainability have emerged as major priorities within the ACD agenda, which reflects the growing recognition of the urgent need for collective action to address these global challenges.

His Excellency believed that the State of Qatar and the Philippines could work to explore ways of cooperation in the field of environment and climate action, especially with regard to strategies for mitigating climate change; exchanging knowledge, best practices, and technologies related to renewable energy, sustainable development, reducing emissions; joint research projects on the ability to enhance resilience to climate change and adapting with it; and disaster risk reduction that helps strengthen environmental preparedness.

Concluding his remarks to QNA, HE the Vice-Chairperson and Executive Director of the Climate Change Commission of the Republic of the Philippines stressed the importance of
official agreements to establish a regulatory framework for cooperation between the two countries in the field of climate, biodiversity preservation, marine protection, ecosystem restoration, as well as training, research, and innovation, in addition to providing technical expertise and capacity building programs to Filipino institutions and communities.

Source: Qatar News Agency

HE the Secretary of Health of the Republic of the Philippines Dr. Teodoro Javier Herbosa affirmed that the visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to Manila aims to develop and enhance mechanisms of bilateral cooperation in the health sector, mirroring progress witnessed in other areas of cooperation at various levels.

In a statement to Qatar News Agency , His Excellency said that the State of Qatar and the Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the health sector in 2017. This visit is expected to contribute to the development of the action plan for the MoU, the transition to a new phase, and the evaluation of areas of cooperation in light of national priorities, current strengths, and global health challenges.

He added that in the field of health cooperation between the two countries, there is a signed MoU, which serves as an effective mechanism for cooperation, stressing that they need to develop plans and mechanisms for its implementation and activation to
significantly contribute to enhancing Qatari-Philippine relations in this field.

HE the Secretary of Health of the Republic of the Philippines explained that the two countries have enjoyed strong diplomatic relations over the years, and entered into multiple areas of cooperation beyond health, including agreements related to climate change mitigation and economic agreements, propelling bilateral relations forward.

He expressed his country’s appreciation for Qatar’s solidarity during the COVID-19 virus in 2022, as it assisted in enhancing the Philippine healthcare sector’s response to the virus by donating 50,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine through the Qatar Fund For Development.

Herbosa emphasized the importance of cooperation with Qatar and benefiting from its expertise in developing the healthcare sector in his country, suggesting that future cooperation should prioritize issues within this sector through focusing on enhancing and building primary healthcare capabilities in the Philippines.

He praised Qata
r’s progress in the healthcare sector, including its municipalities and cities obtaining the ‘Healthy Cities’ certification from the World Health Organization in 2022, making it the first country in the Middle East to receive such accreditation.

He explained that the goal of ‘Healthy Cities’ is to improve health and well-being of populations through collective action to enhance public health measures in daily life environments. He added that the Philippines can benefit from Qatar’s strategies in line with the action plan to strengthen the primary healthcare system in the country.

He added that the Philippines recognizes that Qatar’s network of hospitals and healthcare centers provides high-quality integrated healthcare, accessible to all residents, noting that his country is also keen on a healthcare system that covers all residents regardless of their financial status or geographical location.

In this context, the Health Minister affirmed that the Philippines can also learn from Qatar’s experience in enha
ncing the primary healthcare system to ensure access to healthcare services in all regions.

HE the Secretary of Health of the Republic of the Philippines concluded his statement to QNA by expressing confidence that the visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani will result in profound discussions that will help propel relations forward and encourage the establishment of mechanisms for health cooperation according to the signed MoU, as well as enhance mutually beneficial activities in meeting the healthcare needs of both countries.

Source: Qatar News Agency

HE Undersecretary for Foreign Employment and Welfare Services of the Republic of the Philippines, Hans Leo Cacdac said that the visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to Manila will strengthen the existing relations between the two countries, and will give greater momentum to cooperation in the field of labour.

In an interview with Qatar News Agency , His Excellency stated “The visit of HH the Amir to our country will shed further light on our long-standing and close relations, and will underscore to the Filipino people the importance of this relationship that began over 40 years ago.” HE President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines acknowledges the importance of the relationship between the two countries and is keen on developing it, especially in the field of labor and workers, considering the role of thousands of Filipino workers in the Philippine’s economy and in Qatar’s developmental journey, HE Hans Leo Cacdac added.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countr
ies in 1981, Filipino labor has been an integral part of the construction and development scene in Qatar. Most of them were skilled professionals and workers who developed and built their careers in Qatar while providing a stable income to support their families, he said.

His Excellency emphasized that the cooperation between the two countries in the field of labor is close, with Doha attracting a significant number of Filipino workers. This has made the Filipino community one of the largest and most socially active communities in Qatar, enabling them to contribute to enhancing communication between the two countries. Additionally, they share common values and visions with the host country.

Qatar is the third in the Middle East and fifth globally in terms of the number of Filipino workers employed in the country, HE said.

He said that the remittance value of Filipino workers in Qatar, numbering more than 250,000, ranged between USD830 million and USD930 million over the past three years, according to data
from the Philippine Central Bank. He stated, “These financial remittances by the workers significantly contribute to the growth of the Philippine economy. Moreover, these workers have an impact on the labor sector and the Qatari economy as a whole.

The Filipino workforce in Qatar is characterized by its active and effective presence, both in quantity and quality. They are known for their skills and perform their tasks with discipline and high professionalism. Moreover, they have proven their presence in many economic sectors.

HE Undersecretary for Foreign Employment and Welfare Services of the Republic of the Philippines expressed his country’s appreciation for the positive developments and significant reforms implemented by Qatar to protect workers’ rights, especially regarding raising the minimum wage, ensuring its protection, allowing for job mobility, and establishing other mechanisms to address any imbalances while safeguarding workers’ rights. He stated, “Qatar has become attractive to Filipino worker
s, and its favorable work environment encourages workers to bring their families to live there.

He also highlighted the initiative to establish the Qatar Visa Center in Manila, which has contributed to simplifying the process of obtaining work visas, facilitating the procedures that both the worker and the employer need to take, and protecting their rights. He affirmed his country’s readiness to cooperate further to enhance the center’s operations.

His Excellency praised the continuous support enjoyed by the Filipino community in Qatar, along with the care and attention provided at various levels. He also commended the prompt handling of any problems they may encounter, as well as ensuring their safe return to their homeland upon the completion of their residency.

HE discussed his country’s plans to equip Filipino workers to face the changes in the Gulf labor markets. He said, “The Philippines has programs and plans to achieve competitive and comprehensive technical and vocational education and training gl
obally, as well as higher education for Filipino youth. This includes designing and implementing advanced training programs, developing higher education, enhancing training centers and institutions, and providing continuous and quality education within educational institutions and online, among other initiatives.

HE Undersecretary for Foreign Employment and Welfare Services of the Republic of the Philippines concluded his interview with QNA by emphasizing that the visit of HH the Amir to Manila will give new momentum to bilateral cooperation in the field of labor, enhance communication and coordination to understand the prospects of the labor market in Qatar and its requirements in light of the direction towards a sustainable economy.

Source: Qatar News Agency