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INTERNATIONAL

Affairs. I would also like to point out that the appoint- stadiums will be disassembledand donated to developing
ment of Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Muraikhi as UN countries to improve their sports infrastructure. It is also
Secretary-General's Envoy for Humanitarian Affairs in expected that the State of Qatar will contribute to building
December 2016 reflects an international recognition of 22 new stadiums in developing countries.
the outstanding efforts of the State of Qatar in the field
of humanitarian assistance and its active presence in the What is the importance ofyour country's presence in the
international humanitarian arena. World Trade Organization?
The State of Qatar affirms that despite the blockade, it The presence of the State of Qatar as a member in the
will continue to implement all its commitments, as an World Trade Organization (WTO) is very important given
active partner of the international community, to address the importance of the Organization and its outstanding
the challenges and impediments to humanitarian and role in conducting international multilateral trade. The
development work and to advance the implementation of State of Qatar follows up on regular activities related to
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. the State's obligations in various WTO's conventions.
It also reviews Member States notifications and follow
How preparations for 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar up the concerns of Qatar's private sector of traders and
are progressing? exporters, maintains Qatar's position in the global trading
Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup system and makes maximum use of the privileges and
is a success for Qatar's policy and diplomacy, which services provided by the Organization to its members,
consider sport an essential option for developing and including technical assistance, capacity-building and full
strengthening relations with all nations of the world in use of the multilateral trading system. In addition, the
addition to reflecting Qatar's distinct roles and activities State of Qatar follows the ongoing negotiations in the
on the international scene. The hosting of the 2022 Organization. In this regard, the State of Qatar's office
World Cup is receiving considerable attention from His to the World Trade Organization and other economic
Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir organizations in Geneva is active in presenting proposals
of the State of Qatar "May God protect him' as he chairs and preserving the interests of the State of Qatar in the
the Organizing Committee for 2022 FIFA World Cup. current negotiations, both in terms of the Doha Round or
As the first Arab country to host such a major tournament, the new topics. It should be noted that the State of Qatar
the State of Qatar seeks to make this sporting event the plays an important role in the negotiations on facilitating
greatest of all time, given the various projects being investment and electronic commerce.
implemented including hotels, airports, ports, stadiums, Likewise, the Organization's dispute settlement system is of
hospitals, highways, transport and railways. Qatar's particular importance. This organ may impose sanctions
preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup are fully on on Member States in case of non-compliance. The State of
track after its fixed supply lines briefly disrupted last year Qatar has participated as a third party in two cases brought
by the blockade imposed on Qatar by some of its Gulf before the DSB, while 3 lawsuits have been filed against
neighbours. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain due to the blockade
At present, all efforts are channelled towards completion they imposed against the State of Qatar. The follow up of
of stadiums and all the World Cup projects high-tech this issue is being ensured by our office in coordination
infrastructure's building in accordance with the plans with the National Compensation Commission.
in place as well as infrastructure mega-projects. It is
hoped that this will be completed by 2020, which will The International Labour Organization (ILO) has
be positively reflected on the level of development and recently opened an office in Doha, Qatar. Could you tell
progress in Qatar in alignment with Qatar's National us the reasons for opening this office and what are its
Vision 2030. objectives?
The hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup will be a Early this year, the International Labour Organization
source of pride for the entire Arab region and not just (ILO) inaugurated its first project office in Qatar, the
for Qatar. This was stated in the speech of His Highness first of its kind in the region, which confirms the State
Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar's desire to reach the highest level of care and
of Qatar, at the inauguration of Khalifa International protection for expatriate workers in Qatar. The office,
Stadium, announcing it in the name of every Qatari in collaboration with the State of Qatar, will support
and Arab citizen as ready to host World Cup 2022. FIFA implementation of the technical cooperation agreement
President Mr. Gianni Infantino attended the inauguration signed between the Qatari government and ILO. The
ceremony and expressed his pleasure and satisfaction Project lies within the Government of Qatar's efforts
with work and preparations being made. to implement numerous reforms related to laws and
Moreover, I would like to point out that after the regulations on employment, as well as to provide additional
tournament, a total of 170,000 seats from nine of the 12 guarantees that promote and protect workers' rights. This

24 DIVA - INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAT