GCC Affirms Importance of Technical Cooperation in the Field of Human Rights

Doha: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have emphasized the great importance they attach to technical cooperation and capacity building in the field of human rights, considering them important tools to assist countries in fulfilling their obligations. They stressed that the success of programs relies on adopting a cooperative approach based on the consent of the countries concerned, taking into account their requests, needs, and national contexts, and implementing effective and purposeful activities to achieve tangible and sustainable results. This came in a statement delivered by Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar in Geneva Abdullah bin Ali Behzad, on behalf of the GCC countries, currently chaired by Qatar, during the general discussion on technical assistance and capacity building within the framework of the 55th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. The GCC countries pointed out the importance of enhancing efforts to build the capacities of developing coun tries to prepare and implement national plans aimed at achieving all sustainable development goals. They encouraged, in this context, submitting requests for support to the High Commissioner, expressing their anticipation for the High Commissioner's response based on its mandate in this field. The GCC countries welcomed the request of the Human Rights Council from the High Commissioner in its resolution under this item in September last year to establish an electronic repository showing technical cooperation and capacity-building activities related to the implementation of the universal periodic review recommendations. They expressed their hope that this would contribute to increasing efficiency and clarity in technical cooperation and capacity-building activities that beneficiary countries could benefit from and facilitate the exchange of best practices and experiences among countries and relevant entities. The GCC countries emphasized the importance of basing technical cooperation and capacity-building pr ograms on the principles of respect for national sovereignty, away from politicization and double standards, and within a constructive cooperative spirit and meaningful partnerships. Source: Qatar News Agency