Doha, November 07 (QNA) - The International Labour Organization (ILO) Board of Directors has praised the important legislative achievements and reforms adopted by the State of Qatar in its ongoing efforts to promote and protect the rights of expatriate workers. Members of the Governing Body of the Organization, in particular the Governments of the United States, the Governments of the European Union, Canada and the Employers and Workers 'Groups commended the reforms undertaken by the State of Qatar, in particular the abolition of exit visas, the establishment of a Workers' Support Fund and the establishment of joint labor committees and the study of a minimum wage. The ILO Board Members also welcomed the constructive cooperation and partnerships undertaken by the Government of Qatar to support efforts to implement reforms with a number of Governments, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and the Netherlands, as well as social partners represented by the Employers' Organization, the International Federation of Building and Wood Workers and the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) . During the session, the Director of the International Labor Office in Doha gave a briefing on the important steps and measures taken by the State of Qatar in a short period of time and its cooperation with the ILO through the implementation of a number of programs and activities related to the development of the Wages Protection System (WPS), as well as setting up plans and training for inspectors, combating trafficking in human beings, procedures of the recruitment and contracting system and strengthening complaint mechanisms. For his part, Mohammed Hassan Al Obaidly, Assistant Undersecretary for Labor Affairs at the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs, said during the meeting that Qatar is willing to ensure a productive working environment for all parties of the work system in compliance with international labor standards and ratified conventions, and to ensure close cooperation with all partners to provide a safe working environment and protecting the rights and interests of all production parties. He Qatar thanks and appreciation to the partners of friendly governments and employers 'and workers' organizations for their support to the efforts of Qatar and the International Labor Office in achieving the activities and objectives of the Technical Cooperation Program. (QNA)

HH The Amir inaugurates the forty-seventh session of the Shura Council Doha, Nov. 06 (QNA) - His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, welcomed the opening of the 47th regular session of the Consultative Council at the Council's headquarters. His Highness the Amir gave a speech on this occasion. The following is a summary of the most important points HH highlighted: 1. This annual occasion, marking the beginning of a new legislative chapter, the constitutional institutions will assume their responsibilities to achieve the desired goals 2. Since the last meeting, at the beginning of the siege, Qatar's economy has been strengthened, relations with allies have deepened. 3. The world economy witnessed an economic recovery in 2017, but this did not include the Middle East, North Africa and the GCC, although growth in Qatar was the least affected in the later. There is growth in GDP, exports, banking indicators recovered, Qatar riyal maintained its value and the country is financing the World Cup projects, increase in operating factories that led to self-sufficiency in food products. 2. The State is working to achieve water and food security and electric power, achieving an increase of 155% of fresh water. 3. The State followed a fiscal policy to reduce spending. Government spending fell by 20% while household spending increased by 4%. 4. The World Bank expects Qatar's economic growth rate to reach 2.8% in 2018 and to rise to around 3% in the following years. The confidence of the global credit rating agencies in Qatar's economy was evident with the issue of $ 12 billion in Qatari sovereign bond, with an IPO of $ 53 billion. 1. The objectives of the Qatar National Vision are to focus on economic diversification, oil and gas as well. Studies have been completed to develop a large LNG project from the North Field. Qatar Gas and RasGas have also been merged, providing an annual turnover of QR2 billion. Qatar Petroleum is moving towards exploration and production of oil and gas outside Qatar, with agreements with many countries, and several contracts with PetroChina to supply 3.4 million tons of LNG per year 2. The second national development strategy 2018-2022 entered the implementation phase, with the aim of achieving all its components. 3. The State shall establish the work and its ethics. 4. We are convinced that the security and stability of our region will not be achieved through prejudice to the sovereignty of States, but through respect for the law and dialogue. 1. It is regrettable that the continuation of the Gulf crisis revealed the failure of the GCC to achieve its objectives. 2. Undoubtedly, the deterioration of the Arab region situation is resulting in the loosing of its ability to confront crises (Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Libya and others). 3. The State of Qatar will continue to support efforts to resolve differences and confront the challenges surround our region and threats to the international peace and security. It supports efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue, Syria, Yemen, Libya and Iraq 4. In conclusion, His Highness pointed out that the preparation for the election of the Legislative Council is underway at the level of the ministerial committees and the committees of experts.

Doha - Media Office - 30 October HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in a speech during the opening of the "Return of Foreign Fighters" forum that Qatar is an active partner in the international cooperation against terrorism, pointing to the continuous development of its national legislation and institutional entities concerned with terrorism and the implementation of United Nations resolutions in this regard, and its active involvement in the international coalition against terrorism. Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations represented one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and it was a criminal act that could not be justified regardless of the motives or identity of the perpetrators, including acts motivated by fanaticism, extremism or otherwise. And that justice will only be achieved through a persevering and inclusive approach based on cooperation and participation among all States, international and regional organizations, civil society organizations and academic and research entities in effectively exchanging information in the field of security, in compliance with international law and abandoning the policy of double standards to combat it. He pointed out that the reports of the United Nations indicate that the factors common to foreign fighters, whether they are from the Middle East, Asia or Europe, that most of them are young people who lack the ideology of correct thought, belong to the communities of oppressed or economically isolated, and lack opportunities for living and education, with no opportunities The foreign fighters, who belong to 100 countries in Syria and Iraq, pose a threat to their countries of origin. HE stressed the need for their integration and rehabilitation, and any national strategy for this requires the eradication of the incubator environment of extremist thought. He stressed that terrorism should not be linked to any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group. It is also important not to confuse terrorism with legitimate resistance, stressing the need to renounce the use of state terrorism under the guise of combating terrorism. He highlighted the need to intensify cooperation to prevent terrorist from exploiting technology and communication means, and said that it was imperative to resort to security and military operations, and to enforce the law to counter terrorists who recruit and transport fighters. He stressed that the success of the State's ability to combat terrorism should be based on full respect for the State's obligations towards the rule of law and human rights, and stressed the need for national legislation to comply with the State's obligations at the international level, in particular the relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular resolution 2178 of 2014 and resolution No. 2396 2017 on the criminalization and prosecution of the work of returning combatants. He added "We in Qatar are committed to addressing it at the national, regional and international levels, through participation in all international and regional efforts in this regard. Our country supports the above-all education initiative, which has so far helped educate 10 million children around the world, as well as supporting (Silatech), which has so far provided 1 million jobs for young people in 16 countries since 2008 and seeks 2 million jobs by 2020.”

The Embassy of the State of Qatar participated in the fourth conference for strategic studies, organized by the Center for International Policy Studies, Havana, on October 26, 2018, entitled "The Complexities of the International Regime in Transition: Threats, Challenges and Opportunities." The title of the paper of the embassy was “The Current International System and Its Implications for the Volatility in the Middle East”, where it addressed the changes that confront our world today, and the changes in the balance of world powers; and current events in the Middle East. The paper of the Embassy also dealt with the issue of the war on terrorism, and its impact on the Middle East, and addressing the global media phenomenon.

In response to the invitation of the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs to all diplomatic and consular missions and representations of international organizations, accredited to the Republic of Cuba, the Embassy participated on Thursday 25 October 2018 at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the press conference presented by HE Mr. Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, on the decree of the resolution, entitled "The necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba, to be submitted by Cuba on 31/10/2018, at the General Assembly of the United Nations for discussion and vote.

Ambassador Rashid Mairza Al-Mulla received at the Embassy on Friday 19/10/2018, The delegation of the Shadow Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, headed by the Head of opposition in the parliament, Mr. Philip Davis, and the former Foreign Minister HE Mr. Frederick Mitchell, where the two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest and the development of the Middle East region.

Ambassador Rashid Mairza Al-Mulla received at the Embassy on Thursday, 17/10/2018 the Deputy director of International Policy Research Center in the Republic of Cuba, Mr. Santiago Pérez Benítez, where they exchanged views on bilateral relations on academic, scientific and cultural fields and matters of mutual interest.

Doha, October 08 (QNA) - Secretary General of the International Confederation of Trade Unions (ICFTU), Ms Sharan Burrow, said at a press conference held today at the International Labor Organization (ILO) office in Doha, commended the efforts made by Qatar in the field of labor care. She added that the organization's office, since its establishment in Qatar, has been monitoring the developments and reforms that have been carried out and supports the orientations of the State and the positive development witnessed in the fields related to the workers, stressing that the State of Qatar has become one of the leading Gulf countries in promoting the interests of workers and providing their needs. She argued other Gulf countries to follow the example. She pointed out that the new laws enacted by the State of Qatar define the relationship between workers and employers, so as to ensure that there are no differences on the rights and duties of workers. She also praised the important step taken by the State of Qatar, where it has opened offices in the labor-exporting countries to contract them in their country, so as to limit the illegal practices of some employment offices and to enter into force in the coming period. She stressed the importance of the step taken by the Qatari government to set a minimum wage of 750 riyals for any worker in Qatar, plus housing and mobility. It was aware that the implementation of such laws required time and that the Organization supported the decisions of the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs that labor contracts should be respected and fines imposed in case of violation of laws. The Government was working to monitor the implementation of the procedures and mechanisms it had developed and was cooperating with the International Labor Organization.

The Contents: The first page: • The speech of HH Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani at the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly. • President Putin handed an official world soccer ball to HH Emir of the state of Qatar. Second page: • State of Qatar elected as vice president of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly. • On behalf of the Group of Friends of R2P, Qatar calls for strategy to protect civilian from atrocities. • Qatar dismissed claims that it prevented its citizens from doing Hajj pilgrimage. Third page: • International Court of Justice rules in favour of the Qatari citizens’ rights. • HE ambassador Rashid Mairza Al Mulla said to “OnCuba” electronic magazine “Qatar-Cuba relations are stronger than ever”. • The embassy published a book about Dr. Alvarez Cambras “The Magician Fallen from Sky”. Fourth page: • The sponsorship of the State of Qatar of Gibara International Film Festival. • Qatar Summer Festival 2018. • The Embassy of the state of Qatar welcomes Mr. Ghanim Essa Al-Ghanim as the third secretary of the embassy.

Doha - September 29 The State of Qatar expresses its strong condemnation of the bloody repression and the use of bullets by the Israeli occupation forces in the face of the return marches on the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, on the anniversary of the Al-Aqsa Intifada. A number of martyrs and hundreds of wounded Palestinians were killed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers the serious Israeli military escalation a flagrant violation of international conventions and laws. The Ministry calls upon the international community and the Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities and to put an end to the Israeli war machine, and the policy of collective punishment of the occupying forces against the Palestinian people and to protect innocent civilians. The Foreign Ministry reaffirms Qatar's firm stance in support of the Palestinian cause and the steadfastness of the brotherly Palestinian people to ensure the establishment of an independent state on the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital.