Under the auspices of Qatar’s Permanent Mission to the UN Office in Geneva, the International Sustainability Conference 2024, organised by the World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD), began yesterday at the UN headquarters in Geneva.
The conference runs from July 22-25 and focuses on accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and its 17 goals, highlighting the crucial role of educational institutions.
In her opening speech, Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, HE Dr Hind bint Abdulrahman al-Muftah, detailed Qatar’s efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs), highlighting the involvement of Qatar’s academic institutions in supporting national development strategies through innovation, scientific research, implementation, monitoring, and follow-up.
She said that education is a top priority for Qatar and a key tool in its pursuit of the SDGs, pointing out that investment in quality education remains a cornerstone for economic development, societal advancement, and achieving growth and prosperity.
HE Dr al-Muftah also noted that Qatar leverages research, development, and innovation to implement the 2030 SDGs and boost productivity, guided by Qatar National Vision 2030.
Additionally, Qatar has heavily invested in information and communication technology to enhance sustainability and expedite SDGs implementation.
She affirmed that universities play a vital role in achieving the SDGs by disseminating knowledge, generating ideas, assisting governments and policymakers, and equipping them with the tools needed to devise strategies and address various crises and challenges.