Qatar Voluntary National Review 2021 Report on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Qatar Voluntary National Review 2021 Report on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Planning and Statistics Authority 2021 Preface I am pleased to present to the readers Qatar Voluntary National Review Report 2021, which shows the progress made by Qatar in achieving the goals of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, mainly the progress achieved in the goals set to be discussed in the High-Level Political Forum 2021. In addition to the challenges faced in achieving our development aspirations, the report will also focus on the economic, social and environmental impacts of the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the measures taken by the government, enabling it to deal with this crisis efficiently. The VNR report also addresses future work required to achieve the remaining SDGs before 2030 by aligning these SDGs with the goals of the forthcoming Third National Development Strategy 2023-2027, which is currently being prepared. This, in turn, reflects the commitment of the State of Qatar to link the National Action Program with the international development agenda. I would like here to emphasize that the SDGs achieved so far have been the result of effective partnership between the government and private sectors, civil society organizations, academia and research centers, and both citizens and residents in order to support the State’s march in achieving sustainable development and a promising future for all, where no one is left behind, as we all realize that sustainable development is a strategic choice to ensure the realization of human rights. In this context, the VNR shows that the social segments in the State of Qatar are an integral part of the comprehensive development plan, as they are both participants in its formulation and beneficiaries of its gains The VNR deals with the pioneering efforts of the State of Qatar in revitalizing Partnership for Development and supporting the achievement of SDGs in developing countries by providing urgent relief assistance to the affected countries, especially in times of emergency and crises. In addition, flexible measures for workers have been applied in Qatar to make the necessary financial remittances to their countries seamless, as Qatar realizes that these remittances contribute to supporting the implementation of national development goals in those countries. Furthermore, the State of Qatar has a distinguished strategic partnership with the United Nations organizations and specialized agencies, which have benefited from Qatar’s 2 QATAR VOLUNTARY NATIONAL REVIEW 2021 generous contributions through a number of development and humanitarian organizations in order to achieve justice, peace and stability at the regional and international levels. The VNR highlights as well Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup in 2022, which is considered one of the most important global partnerships that will leave a remarkable national legacy, and will provide Qatar and the peoples of the region with opportunities to spread a sustainable message of welcome to millions of people around the world and build bridges of love and peace and promote tolerance, respect and understanding between civilizations. Hosting this amazing global event is also an opportunity for Qatar to display its national identity and highlight its global position through sport. Given the importance of providing information and data necessary for monitoring, follow-up and evaluation processes in achieving the desired development goals, the VNR will show the progress of the State’s statistical and research capabilities, as well as modernization and development projects in a way that contributes to enhancing the enabling environment for development. In conclusion, I would like to thank all government institutions in Qatar, the private sector, civil society organizations, universities and research centers that have contributed to the preparation of this VNR. I would also like to thank the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) for its practical guidance, tireless follow-up and dedication of this important work, and for the workshops it organized to support countries in preparing the Voluntary National Reviews. Finally, I extend thanks to my colleagues in the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA) for their great effort in preparing this VNR. Dr. Saleh M. Al Nabit President of the Planning and Statistics Authority QATAR VOLUNTARY NATIONAL REVIEW 2021 3 Contents Preface.................................................................................................................................................................. 2 List of abbreviations ......................................................................................................................................... 5 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 VNR Preparation Methodology ...................................................................................................................... 6 Executive Summary .......................................................................................................................................... 9 COVID-19 Pandemic: Response and Recovery ............................................................................................ 13 Progress in Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals SDG 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere ...................................................................... 23 SDG 2 - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote 33 sustainable agriculture SDG 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages ............................ 45 SDG 8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and 69 productive employment and decent work for all SDG 10 - Reduce inequality within and between countries ................................................. 85 SDG 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns ................................. 103 SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts ........................... 115 SDG 16 – Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive 127 institutions at all levels SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global 153 partnership for sustainable development Conclusion and Future Steps .......................................................................................................................... 177 4 QATAR VOLUNTARY NATIONAL REVIEW 2021 List of abbreviations • ACTA: Administrative Control and Transparency Authority • MRC: Medical Research Center • AIC: Airports Council International • MW: Megawatt • AIDS: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome • NAMLC: National Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism • ATMs: Automated Teller Machines Financing Committee • CCPCJ: Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice • NDS: National Development Strategy • CCS: Carbon Capture and Sequestration • NORM: Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material • CNG: Compressed Natural Gas • NHRC: National Human Rights Committee • COOP 18: Conference of Parties 2018 • NDS-1: The First National Development Strategy 2011-2016 • COVAX: COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access • NDS-2: The Second National Development Strategy 2018-2022 • COVAX AMC: Covax Advance Market Commitment • NDS-3:The Third National Development Strategy 2023-2027 • CRA: Communications Regulatory Authority • NRI: Network readiness Index • CCPCJ: Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice • OECD: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development • CRPD: Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities • OGMP: Oil and Gas Methane Partnership • DI: Doha Institute • OHCHR: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner • DTP: Diphteria-tetanus-Pertussis for Human Rights • EAA: Education Above All • OGI: Optical Gas Imaging • EAC: Educate A Child • PSA: Planning and Statistics Authority • ECOSOC: Economic and Social Council • PV: Photovoltaic • EU: European Union • QCB: Qatar Central Bank • FINA: Federation Internationale de Navigation • QF: Qatar Foundation • GAVI: Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization • QFFD: Qatar Fund for Development • GCC: Gulf Cooperation Council • QNRF: Qatar National Research Fund • GDI: Gender Development Index • QP: Qatar Petrolium • GDP: Gross domestic product • QEERI: Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute • GHGs: Greenhouse Gases • QGBC: Qatar Green Building Council • GII: Global Innovation Index • QNV 2030: Qatar National Vision 2030 • GII: Gender Inequality Index • QRCS: Qatar Red Crescent • GNI: Gross National Income • QRDI: Qatar Research, Development and Innovation • GSBPM: Generic Statistical Business Process Model • QNRF: Qatar National Research Fund • GW: Gigawatt • QSTP: Qatar Science & Technology Park • HBKU: Hamad Bin Khalifa University • QU: Qatar University • HEIS: Household Expenditure and Income Survey • R&D: Research and Development • HIA: Hamad International Airport • SAB: State Audit Bureau • HMC: Hamad Medical Corporation • SC: Supreme Committee • HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus • SCP: Sustainable Consumption and Production • IARC: International Agency for Research on Cancer • SDGs: Sustainable