The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) should play an important role amidst global efforts to address new world challenges, Qatar's Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr
Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari said.

The world has witnessed disturbing shifts and that UNCTAD should play an important role in contributing to the global efforts in this regard, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported Al Kuwairi, who is also President of the 13th session of the UNCTAD XIII, as saying.

He said this in his speech delivered before the Economic and Financial Committee of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly at its 67th session on the International Trade and Development.

He called on everyone to close ranks and continue their cooperation and partnership because this was vital for the UN's work in the field of development, pointing out that the next four years could provide unique
opportunities.

The minister believed that the international community would determine a post-2015 development agenda in 2015, with all its richness and diversity, pointing out that UNCTAD would celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2014.

Commenting on Qatar's role, Dr Al Kuwairi stressed that Qatar has the honour of presiding over the 13th UNCTAD session, noting that the road to the future would not be easy.

He explained that the 13th UNCTAD session had come out with remarkable results, and thus offered a new narrative of UNCTAD activities for the next four years, adding that these results would help in collectively addressing the challenges.