Qatari Newspapers Editorials

Doha, November 27 (QNA) - Qatari newspapers published Sunday highlighted several topics, most notably the State of Qatar's keenness to support collective initiatives and international multilateral action, as it was at the forefront of countries seeking to achieve global food security and ensure its sustainability. The newspapers noted Qatar's announcement of its contribution of USD 20 million in support of a humanitarian program "Grain from Ukraine" which aimed at helping African countries to get Ukrainian grain exports. The papers also stressed that the State of Qatar is witnessing today one of its historical moments, through which it confirms its ability to overcome all challenges, and prepare to host a tournament that will be a milestone in major sporting events. Al-Raya newspaper said that food security is considered one of the most thorny issues in the world, as it directly affects the security, stability and development of countries that always seek to build national strategies that achieve food security and support their plans towards achieving self-sufficiency. The newspaper indicated that at a time when political crises, war, disasters and pandemics pose real challenges to the food security plans and strategies of countries, especially in the African continent which has suffered and is still suffering from the crisis in Ukraine, one of the most food exporting countries, the State of Qatar has decided to lead global efforts and projects aimed at improving food security for the African continent and announced its contribution of USD 20 million in support of a humanitarian program "Grain from Ukraine" which aimed at helping African countries to get Ukrainian grain exports. The paper referred to HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani's affirmation that the State of Qatar welcomed programs and projects that will enhance and improve food security and develop sustainable solutions to enhance countries' resilience, and welcomed in this regard Ukraine's initiative to launch the humanitarian program "Grain from Ukraine" as an initiative to help African countries obtain Ukrainian grain exports. The daily affirmed Qatar's commitment to support collective initiatives and multilateral international action, adding that in this regard His Excellency said that the State of Qatar has called since the beginning of the war in Ukraine for a speedy peaceful solution, and that it welcomed the Black Sea initiative to transport grain, out of the State of Qatar's consistent policy of cooperation and partnership with the international community, and within the framework of its continuous efforts to promote international peace and security. In conclusion, Al-Raya said that Qatar was one of the first countries to respond to global crises, including the food security crisis, as it was keen to redouble its efforts to respond to this crisis in a coordinating framework and in cooperation with partners in the international community, and contributed to the establishment of the Global Dryland Alliance (GDA), which aims to achieve food security in countries suffering from drought. Meanwhile, Al-Sharq newspaper said that HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani's participation in the official ceremony to launch the humanitarian program "Grain from Ukraine", which aims at helping African countries to get Ukrainian grain exports, reflects the State of Qatar's great interest in programs and projects that would enhance and improve food security and enhance countries' resilience, as Qatar has always been one of the first countries to respond to global crises, including the food security crisis. The paper also referred to State of Qatar's announcement of its contribution of USD 20 million in support of the humanitarian program which aims at helping African countries, out of its commitment as a reliable international partner to support collective initiatives and multilateral international action, underlying that humanitarian and development aid is a cornerstone of the foreign policy of the State of Qatar. The newspaper considered that with the escalation of challenges facing the world, the State of Qatar has been redoubling its efforts to respond to all crisis and challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic and its repercussions to the global food security crisis and even the issue of stabilizing energy supplies as a result of the war in Ukraine, within a coordination framework and in cooperation with partners in the international community. Al-Sharq concluded by saying that Qatar which sees the challenges facing any society as a threat to all humanity, considers that the current challenges the world is going through as an affirmation of the urgent need to strengthen interdependence and integration between countries, and to arrange priorities so that the humanitarian aspect comes first. Qatar Tribune newspaper highlighted Qatar's announcement of its contribution of USD 20 million in support of a humanitarian program "Grain from Ukraine" which aimed at helping African countries to get Ukrainian grain exports. This came in a speech delivered via video conference by HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani before a ceremony to launch the program in Ukrainian capital city of Kiev. The newspaper noted HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani's affirmation of Qatar's commitment as a reliable international partner to support collective initiatives and multilateral international action, in order to ensure an effective Qatari contribution alongside international partners in addressing challenges that do not threaten one particular society but represent a collective threat to humanity, and represent a test for all in achieving the aspirations of the peoples. For its part, Al-Watan newspaper said that the State of Qatar, with all its sectors and by hosting FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, is undergoing the biggest test of its capabilities and the capabilities of its youth. It considered that excellence and distinction will be in the public interest of the country at various levels, and will make a quantum leap in terms of reputation, politics, economy, investment, tourism and others. The newspaper said in an article by its editor-in-chief that this version is for all Arabs and the Middle East, and its presence here is a historical event that is difficult to repeat because of the condescending Western view of this region and their consideration that it does not deserve to organize such events, stressing that we are in a great challenge to change the stereotype and prove that what we offer is what is difficult for them just to talk about and apply. There are still seven teams that must be supported, starting with the Arab teams represented by Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Morocco, in addition to the Asian teams, including Iran, Australia, Korea and Japan, to boost the continent's chances and increase its participations in the upcoming World Cups, the paper said. In conclusion, Al-Watan hailed the large public attendance at the matches, the rising technical level and the global media coverage, saying that this World Cup will be the historical and exceptional edition, and this is the biggest response to skeptical campaigns and those who try to stir up controversy or break the laws. The Peninsula newspaper said that statistics given by the game's governing body speak about the success of the start of first-ever edition of the football showpiece in the Middle East and the Arab world. The FIFA has already sold more than 3 million tickets for the tournament. In its editorial "Staggering numbers", the newspaper said that according to FIFA, the highest match attendance of the tournament was the game at Lusail Stadium on Nov. 24, with 88,103 there to see Brazil blanking Serbia 2-0 in their first match. On the same day, the FIFA Fan Festival in Doha's Al Bidda Park also achieved its highest accumulative attendance, with a total of 98,000 fans throughout the day. In terms of viewership across the globe, the preliminary figures for the opening match of Qatar 2022 showed an increase in viewers, compared to the corresponding match in Russia four years ago, The Peninsula noted. The newspaper concluded by saying that overall, Qatar World Cup in its second week now has been a roaring success. The tournament has also witnessed upsets in the opening week with Saudi Arabia registering a stunning victory over Argentina, with Japan shocking four time winners Germany in the first round of group stage. For its part, Gulf Times newspaper said that the official figures released by FIFA after the first round of FIFA World Cup group stage matches were completed showed that the average overall match attendance in stadiums across Qatar stands at an impressive 94%. It said in its editorial "Exceptional football fiesta proves Qatar's critics wrong" that analysts have indicated that the tournament is set to break all viewership records as at least 5 billion people from all across the globe are expected to be glued to their television sets and the digital media platforms to follow the greatest sporting spectacle on earth. Qatar has always maintained its position that this tournament is for all and every genuine fan is welcome to our country. An impartial look at Qatar’s stadiums, fan zones and other touristic and cultural attractions more than proves this point, the paper added. Gulf Times concluded by saying that Qatar's response to the sceptics will be on the ground, and indeed it has come certainly through the exceptional hosting of the football fiesta, which has been acclaimed by every sport lover around the world. (QNA)