Doha, 19 May 2009- Qatar National Bank (QNB) is a strategic partner to the Arab Conference on Population and Development being held from 18-20 May at the Ritz Carlton hotel . The Conference is being held under the auspices of H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Jabor bin Jassim Al Thani, Director General of the General Secretariat for Development Planning (GSDP), and Chairman of the Qatar Permanent Population Committee (PCC).
The event brings together almost 130 participants from all Arab countries represented by heads of national councils and committees in addition to a number of leading personalities from the Arab world. The focus will be on the most important transitional changes being witnessed in the Middle East region, while addressing issues related to population and development in the Arab world in order to review priorities.
The 3-day conference is being organized by the General Secretariat for Development Planning, in cooperation with the Arab League Council, the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA), and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia.
QNB’s sponsorship of this conference is in line with its continuing support for initiatives that sustain community development, a core component of the Bank's corporate social responsibility mandate to contribute positively through active participation in the growth and development of the State of Qatar.
Through this conference QNB also aims to support development issues which are a major priority for the Arab region. These include working to enhance cultural and social harmony, building economic capacity for future generations, promoting the proper management of human capital resources, and protecting the environment. These together contribute to achieving positive results from both an economic and social perspective, as well as strengthening partnerships at all levels, in Qatar and internationally.
The main aim of the Arab Conference on Population and Development is to analyse trends and various demographic factors and to highlight the social and economic challenges faced by nations in the Arab world. It will also address issues of significance such as the fight against poverty, challenges affecting youth and their communities, and factors associated with prenatal care.
The conference is expected to issue a declaration document which will summarize the population and development situation in the Arab region This declaration will also highlight challenges and opportunities and provide strategic directions that will help in formulating practical, scientific and developmental planning goals for the proceedings of the International Conference on Population and Development, as well as fuel the further advancement of Millennium Development goals with specific impetus on the issues that must be prioritised in the region.