We are delighted that the UNCTAD XIII Conference will be held for the first time ever in the Arab region and we thank the Government and the people of Qatar for hosting our event. Qatar provides a model of how a natural resource-rich country has successfully managed its revenues and achieved exceptionally high levels of both economic and human development.

I hope that it can serve as an inspiration and source of knowledge for visiting delegations, as well as make connections for trade, investment and other forms of cooperation with other countries.