Muslim philanthropists gather at UN-backed event to discuss hunger, development

Muslim philanthropists, along with Government and business leaders from around the world, are gathering in Doha, Qatar, to discuss hunger, development and technology at a United Nations-backed gathering which kicked off today.

The third annual World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists, held in conjunction with the UN Office for Partnerships (UNOP), will focus over two days on how to make the most of philanthropic, public and private sector efforts to address poverty, disease and other worsening problems, most notably violence.

The achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – eight anti-poverty targets agreed upon by world leaders with a 2015 deadline – will also be discussed at the Doha meeting.

Last week, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a report, entitled Keeping the Promise, in which he unveiled a new action plan aimed at getting governments, civil society actors, private businesses, philanthropy and the multilateral system to act “efficiently, effectively and collectively.”

Mr. Ban told reporters in his monthly press conference that with a decade of efforts towards achieving the MDGs already under the world's belt, “we know what works and what doesn't,” with lessons learned on how to best utilize new technologies, national development policies and better governance.

The Doha gathering will also address youth radicalization and reforming aid for Palestinians.