FIFA and Qatar invite MAs to discuss human rights with international experts ahead of FIFA World Cup.

FIFA (www.FIFA.com) held a virtual meeting with several member associations and confederations to discuss workers’ welfare reforms and broader human rights in Qatar in connection to the country’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022™.

The virtual event was organised in collaboration with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), FIFA’s local partner in Qatar. Member associations that had expressed an interest in the matter heard from the SC’s Secretary General, H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, as well as presentations from industry experts from independent international organisations, human rights organisations and workers unions (Amnesty International, BWI, ILO, ITUC1) with direct knowledge of the situation on the ground.

The meeting provided an opportunity to clarify a number of facts related to the country’s labour reforms programme, look at the important progress achieved since Qatar was awarded the tournament in 2010 and discuss the challenges that still remain, while stressing the role that FIFA and football can continue to play in promoting a lasting legacy of the FIFA World Cup 2022™ in the field of workers’ welfare and human rights in the host country.

“I very much welcome the constructive engagement with our member associations on this important topic,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “We all want to ensure the protection of everyone engaged in the delivery of the FIFA World Cup, and we are confident the event can serve as a catalyst for broader positive social change.”

“We know there is still work to be done, but we need to recognise the significant progress achieved in a very short time, thanks to the commitment of the highest authorities in the country, and to ensure that any debate on this complex matter should be based on verified facts,” he added. “It is important for our member associations to hear directly from independent international experts that the conditions on the FIFA World Cup construction sites have reached the highest global safety standards, and that the recent landmark legislative reforms have already benefitted tens of thousands of workers across Qatar.”

The exchanges with member associations focused on the concrete steps towards full implementation of the changes introduced, and the expansion of the measures put in place within Qatar’s construction sites to the service sector that will become more involved as the competition approaches.

The international organisations, human rights organisations and workers unions that have been directly involved in Qatar’s labour reform programmes since 2010 welcomed the national reforms and the work specifically being conducted by the SC and FIFA on the country’s World Cup projects. The same organisations also outlined the need for strict implementation of the new and existing legislation and pointed to some additional reforms that are expected later this year.

The meeting followed a series of previous exchanges with individual member associations on the same topic, and FIFA and the SC committed to continue to engage with the global football community to keep its stakeholders regularly informed on preparations for the FIFA World Cup, and to address any concerns that may arise.

Memorandum that fulfills the objectives of the ICD, which aims to enhance and improve the structure and mechanisms of cooperation among the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Under Dr. Bandar bin Fahd Al Fahid, President of the Arab Tourism Organization (ATO) - Mr. Ayman Amin Sejiny, CEO of the Islamic Company for Private Sector Development (ICD), member of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IDBG), and Yang Khaled Murad Reda - Assistant Secretary General of the ATO, signed a memorandum of understanding and joint cooperation to establish a general framework for the development of the tourism sector through the financing of tourism projects in the Arab region, with particular emphasis on the less developed Arab countries.

On this occasion, Mr. Ayman Sejiny stated that this memorandum fulfills the objectives of the ICD which aim to improve and improve the structure and mechanism of cooperation between member countries of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (including Arab countries), and respond to their needs by providing financing for development projects. and carry out supporting activities that promote human development and institutional efficiency.

The note also tends to implement the ICD strategy, which aims to fund investment projects that have a development impact and to promote activities related to capacity building, especially for organizations tasked with promoting investment and trade in IDB member countries.

In addition, this note aims to build a strategic cooperation relationship between ICD and ATO, especially in the current situation, where the tourism sector is greatly affected by the impact of the spread of the Corona outbreak.

On his part, H.E. Mr Al Fahid expressed his pleasure to sign this memorandum where many programs and consultations will be presented which serve and support the tourism industry in the Arab world, with an emphasis on least developed countries in terms of their public and private sectors and SMEs, as well as investors in the tourism sector affected by the Corona pandemic.

He also noted that the Memorandum includes implementation plans for several activities and projects to be drafted in the near future, comprising the issuance of sukuk, financing of SME projects, financing of tourism projects of ATO partners in Arab countries through financial and legal support, and benefits from partners. strategically in the field of preparing advisory studies for project financing.

In addition, the plan includes participating in investments in local and social funds directly or through countries and banks in bank networks in Africa and the Arab World to develop local communities and create sustainable tourism.

UN Special Envoy Jn Kubi discussed the situation in Libya and the wider region with French officials in Paris

The Special Envoy exchanged views on ways to advance the peace process in Libya in a fruitful discussion with former Special Representative of Libyan Secretary General Ghassan Salame

The situation in Libya, also considering the latest developments in the region, is the focus of discussions between the Special Envoy and the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian.

They both stressed the importance of accelerating the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the full withdrawal of foreign troops and mercenaries, to make further progress in implementing the LPDF roadmap, because holding elections on 24 December 2021 is essential for maintaining peace, security. and stability in Libya and the wider region.

They are considering ways in which the international community can mobilize further support for this process.

The Special Envoy also met separately with the Director for Middle East and North Africa at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Christophe Farnaud and Special Envoy Paul Soler accompanied by other high-ranking officials.

In a meeting with the Presidential Advisor for the MENA region, Patrick Durel, Kubi's Special Envoy reiterated the UN's appreciation to the President of France and the Government of France for their continued support for UN efforts and the peace process in Libya.

They discussed the situation in Libya against the background of recent developments in the region and called on national and international actors to respect Libyan sovereignty, including by complying with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.

While in Paris, the Special Envoy exchanged views on ways to advance the peace process in Libya in fruitful discussions with former Special Representative of Libyan Secretary General Ghassan Salame.