A first in the history of Qatar and the GCC region, Ambassador Badr Al Dafa appointment as the Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is believed to take Qatar diplomacy to new heights.
Ambassador Al Dafa of Qatar is the first personality from the GCC region to land such a key position.
    A former ambassador of Qatar to the US, Al Dafa believes his new position comes in recognition of the giant leaps Qatar and GCC states have achieved on the world scene.
    "A son of Qatar's unique outlook to the world, I shall bring with me our culture of the promotion of peace, stability, and sustainable human development to the region and the world at large," says Al Dafa.
    In his view, a key element in Qatar's currently prominent position is Al Jazeera. "Al Jazeera has brought added prestige to Qatar around the world, having deepened its stature as an oasis of freedom and diversity."
    Al Dafa speaks to Qatar Today in which much unravels.

|q| Would you give us a brief on the ESCWA's current activities and potential future progress?
|a| UN-ESCWA is the regional arm of the Untied Nations in Western Asia region (including 13 countries, namely Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE and Yemen), promoting economic and social development through regional and sub-regional cooperation and integration since its inception in 1973.
    It formulates and promotes development assistance activities and projects that meet the needs of the region, and acts as an executing agency for operational projects. Currently, ESCWA's work revolves around four main priorities: water, renewable energy, social policies and information and communication technology.
    There are three cross-cutting themes in ESCWA's activities: statistics for informed decision making, the empowerment of women, and meeting the special developmental needs of countries in or emerging from conflict.
    I believe the ESCWA should aim at consolidating its position as a regional centre of excellence, actively responding to the challenges of a highly changing region and a globalising world. It will need to concentrate its efforts to assist its member states to achieve sustainable human development with equal opportunities for all regardless of gender, race and religion; assist countries with special developmental needs such as Palestine, Iraq and Lebanon; and ensure the implementation of a sustainable natural resource management plan.

|q| What do you hope to achieve during your tenure?
|a| As Under-Secretary General and ESCWA's Executive Secretary, I serve as the focal point for the economic and social development of the region. I am at the helm of one of the most prestigious institutions in the region. ESCWA's main advantage is its human resource base, which possesses world-class expertise and knowledge. Providing strategic guidance and leadership should be the main challenge.
    Another challenge is to match ESCWA's programmes and administrative structures to its operational requirements. Maintaining close contact with member states and associate member states as well as with other departments and offices of the UN Secretariat, the specialised agencies, intergovernmental organisations and non-governmental organisations.
    And, to realise regional integration and cooperation, among member states, should remain my primary preoccupation. I shall enhance cooperation with the major UN departments at Headquarters and with the specialised agencies and intergovernmental organisations, such as the Arab League, the GCC and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
    In my capacity as Under-Secretary General, I am the Secretary General's primary advisor on matters concerning economic and social development in Western Asia. I represent him on special assignments relating to issues of economic and social policy in Western Asia. 

|q| What does your appointment mean for Qatar and GCC countries?
|a| Since its inception in 1973, it is the first time a national of Qatar or GCC states is appointed as Executive Secretary at the ESCWA. This is in recognition of the giant leaps Qatar and GCC states have achieved on the world scene. Qatar has played an increasingly active role in the UN.
    In 2004, Qatar assumed the chairmanship of the Group of 77, whose membership constitutes about two-thirds of the UN membership. It has hosted several international conferences and forums, many under the UN auspices. Qatar's active participation in the UN culminated with its election as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, 2006-2007.
    Yet, another GCC achievement has preceded my appointment. Bahrain was elected to head the UN General Assembly in 2006. Lawyer and women's rights activist Sheikha Haya bint Rashid Al Khalifa was appointed as President of the UN General Assembly - the third woman ever to head the universal body.  These are only few examples of the active role in the international arena Qatar and GCC states are currently playing.
    My appointment categorises me as an international civil servant, who serves all members of the UN in accordance with the priorities of the international agenda.
    Yet, I am the son of Qatar's unique culture and outlook to the world. I shall bring with me Qatar's culture of the promotion of peace, stability, sustainable human development and security to the region and the world at large.

|q| How do you see Qatar regionally and globally now?
|a| Qatar's regional role has expanded exponentially in the last decade. Qatar is currently playing a strategic role in the region especially in the many crises (Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine). Even, Middle East issues are a priority for Qatar - a part of the region and the only Arab member of the Security Council.
    Qatar has been the key mediator in many instances such as the July 2006 war on Lebanon and its aftermath, and through the formulation process that led to the passage of resolution 1701.
    Qatar's regional role is practiced through its membership in the region's collective institutions such as the GCC, Arab League, and the OIC, among others.
Qatar has also been playing a significant international role economically and politically, thus placing it at the centre of the global economic and political agenda.
     Economically, the challenges we face today are global, requiring global solutions. These comprise the vitally important question of how to ensure a competitive economy, with emphasis on wealth, job creation, and increasing prosperity for all, even as we preserve the future of the environment.
    Of equal importance too, is how to guarantee a steady and affordable energy supply, cutting the emissions that threaten our atmosphere and economic security. In the meantime, alternative sources of clean energy should be identified.
    The Doha Development Agenda, approved at the Doha Ministerial Conference 2001, which was subject to subsequent refinements in Geneva and at the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference 2005, set Doha at the forefront of WTO negotiations.
Politically, Qatar benefits from an increasingly noted reputation amongst the international community, having been elected as a non-permanent UN Security Council member, 2006-2007.
    Moreover, as the sole candidate of the Asian Group for the Security Council seat, Qatar received 186 votes out of total 189 - a candidature which derives from its active role, and its keen interest in promoting international peace and security.
Al Jazeera, too, has brought added prestige to Qatar around the world, having deepened its stature as an oasis of freedom and diversity.
    Qatar's election to the non-permanent seat in the Security Council, as well as the position I currently hold at the ESCWA, come in recognition of Qatar's diplomacy. Qatar is also a member of the Non-Aligned Movement Caucus at the Security Council, and coordinates with the Movement in that regard. And, Qatar assumed the Chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China in New York for 2004.

|q| In your view, is the current growth of Qatar healthy and sustainable?
|a| The economy of Qatar is one of the dynamic and growing economies in the Middle East, mainly dependent on the flow of revenues from the hydrocarbon wealth and related industries. But the service sector of Qatar continues to grow, and receive additional investments.
    The success of Qatar's fast growing gas industry is propelling the country forward.
    The third largest gas reserves in the world, after Russia and Iran, Qatar's economy will remain at the forefront of global growth. For, it benefits from strong income growth due to increased energy prices, favourable liquidity conditions in major investment markets and prudent government policies.
    The annual real GDP growth rate provides a boost for per capita income levels already the highest in the region (and of the highest internationally). This ensures a sustainable human development with fair distribution of wealth. Qatari nationals are on average among the wealthiest in the world.
    These factors are promoting the long-term resilience of the economy. After strong growth over the last few years, the economic expansion remains buoyant.
Besides being a major oil and gas producer and exporter, Qatar also boasts a diversified and fast-expanding industrial sector with a variety of heavy, medium and light industries.
    Non-oil sector growth has accelerated in 2006, driven by higher government expenditure and investment. Meanwhile, public and infrastructure projects geared up ahead of the 15th Asian Games.

|q| In today's unipolar world, some organisations including the UN have been losing their lustre, how can people's confidence be regained?
|a| The relevance, role and image of the UN have certainly changed since its establishment in 1945.
    The turning point, in my view, has been the end of the Cold War, which itself changed the very foundations of the international system, and the war in Iraq.
    The Iraq war was a stark example of the unipolar new world order. The world realised that the UN was neither capable of preventing the war, nor resolving its root causes.
    On the economic and social front, the UN Charter's economic and social development promise has not been delivered. Our increasingly globalised world has left behind hundreds of millions of global citizens who have not reaped its benefits, and are threatened by a cycle of war, poverty, and famine.
    It is yet imperative to understand that the UN's policies are a mere expression of the collective will of its members. And, while the Secretariat does have some margin for action, the member states stay behind the legislated policies and global agenda.
    The UN, under the leadership of the new Secretary General, is determined to effect structural, managerial and administrative reform, which would best position it to reshape the world.

|q| Given the region's current economic boom primarily based on rising oil and energy needs, what are the other social issues you will be focusing on?
|a| A part of the UN, ESCWA will attempt to mobilise all efforts to assist member states to achieve the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), all by 2015.
    A benchmark approved by the international community, MDGs are aimed to meet the needs of the world's poorest. ESCWA is part of these galvanised efforts. I am pleased to report that most of the ESCWA's thirteen members are en route to achieve these goals.
    The primary social issue I believe should be the focus of our efforts in the coming years is the issue of youth. Today, the youth constitute some 50% of the region's population- a huge asset for its future, yet a real challenge.
    Managing the educational and employment needs of the youth requires targeted and comprehensive socio-economic policies behind which massive financial resources lie. This single challenge can be the real lynch pin of the region's future in the 21st century.

|q| What were your experiences serving in the West, particularly post 9/11?
|a| In spite of my diplomatic immunity, I had to face difficulties in Western countries. I have been subject to search in various American airports. I became aware of the discrimination that arose in the West against Arabs and Muslims.
    In this capacity, I played a special role in promoting access to education and arts in the Arab-American community, and among other minority populations in the US.
I gave many lectures at various universities and institutions about Islam as a religion and culture.
    I deeply regret the misunderstandings that have occurred between the US and the Arab World since 9/11, but more needs to be done on the people-to-people level. Wherever I have served, I have focused on the arts and culture as a means to build better understanding between the Arab world and the international community.
    I have hosted many international art exhibitions and cultural events using arts and culture as a means for tolerance and acceptance. And, through Islamic organisations, I contributed to the provision of books on Islam to various institutions, colleges and public libraries in the US