At UN debate, Qatari Emir advocates ‘positive peace’ based on justice for all

Achieving a true global peace requires more than eliminating the threat of arms, the Emir of Qatar told the General Assembly’s annual high-level debate today, calling for a “positive peace” which aims to promote economic and social justice for all people.

“The realities of today’s world require a different approach, for peace cannot be achieved through conflict between powers, agreement between empires, or coexistence among blocs,” Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani said.

Instead, he stressed the need for an alternative in which international law guarantees political rights and in which development allows for “parallel and equal opportunities to one world that cannot head into the future hindered by the injustices of politics or blinded by the darkness of underdevelopment.”

The Emir noted that his country is preparing for the follow-up International Conference on Financing for Development, which seeks to review the implementation of the 2002 landmark anti-poverty agreement known as the Monterrey Consensus, to be held in Doha in November.

“My country looks forward to an international cooperation that offers the broadest base possible for political as well as social peace,” he said.