Doha: A flag-raising ceremony for the State of Qatar and the United Nations was held on Sunday morning at the Qatar National Convention Centre to mark the opening of the Second World Summit for Social Development, hosted in Doha from November 4 to 6.
The summit features high-level participation from heads of state and government, as well as representatives of international and regional organizations.
The ceremony was attended by Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi; UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs HE Li Junhua; senior Qatari officials; and representatives of the United Nations.
In his remarks, HE Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Qatar's pride in hosting this major international event, held 30 years after the first social summit in Copenhagen.
He affirmed that Qatar's hosting of the summit reflects its firm commitment to inclusive and sustainable social development and to multilateral cooperation in pursuit of social justice and well-being for all peoples. He added that the summit offers a pivotal opportunity to advance global dialogue on social development and accelerate implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
His Excellency also praised the strategic partnership between Qatar and the United Nations, highlighted by the opening of the UN House in Doha, which underscores Qatar's role as a trusted partner in supporting joint efforts with the international organization.
The occasion featured a parachute display organized by Education Above All Foundation, in collaboration with the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) and the Qatar Air Sports Committee of the Joint Special Forces, with parachutists soaring over Doha bearing banners of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The ceremony concluded with the raising of the flags of Qatar and the United Nations by Lekhwiya and UN security personnel, accompanied by celebratory music performed by the Lekhwiya band, a symbolic scene reflecting the depth of the partnership between Qatar and the United Nations and their shared commitment to advancing inclusive and sustainable social development.
