A/HRC/27/15 child rights. The aim of the National Development Strategy (2011-2016) was to transform the objectives of the National Vision 2030 into reality in the years to come. 8. In a short period, Qatar had become a State in which the rule of law prevailed, with institutions that upheld the rights and maintained the dignity of all. The Government responded swiftly and effectively to all human rights issues and concerns, in support of its endeavours to achieve human development, to develop democracy and civilization, and to maintain the prosperity and well-being enjoyed by Qatar. It considered that many of the recommendations presented during the interactive dialogue of its first review had already been implemented or were in the process of being implemented. 9. The most significant developments since the adoption of the initial report included the amendment by Qatar of the Criminal Code by the introduction of an explicit definition of torture that was fully consistent with article 1 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, in addition to its enactment of the Trafficking in Persons Act No. 15 of 2011, to protect victims and enhance international cooperation against human trafficking, and its espousal of the Arab Initiative to Build National Capacities to Combat Human Trafficking in the Arab Countries. Its commitment to that Initiative was evident in the financial support that it had offered, which amounted to US$ 6 million. In addition, Qatar had ratified the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. Furthermore, it had established the Qatari National Commission for International Humanitarian Law, recognizing the importance of applying the principles of international humanitarian law in order to protect victims of conflict. Qatar had also established the National Committee for Occupational Health and Safety, in cooperation with experts from the International Labour Organization (ILO), in addition to the Committee on Climate Change and Clean Development and the Qatar Committee for Alliance of Civilizations. It had established the Qatar Foundation for Protection and Social Rehabilitation, a private foundation for the public good that included the Qatar Foundation for the Protection of Children and Women, the Qatar Foundation for Combating Human Trafficking and the Social Rehabilitation Centre. 10. Qatar had continued its policy of openness towards hosting international conferences and forums on development, democracy, human rights and the promotion of a culture of peace. Every year, it hosted the Doha Forum and the Doha Conference for Interfaith Dialogue, as well as the U.S.–Islamic World Forum. It had hosted the Fourth Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in 2011 and, in April 2014, the preparatory conference for the Sixth Global Forum, to be held in Indonesia in August 2014. In addition, it had hosted the eighteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the thirteenth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Moreover, it would host the Thirteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, to be held from 12 to 19 April 2015 in Doha. 11. Qatar attached great importance to international cooperation and deployed considerable human and financial resources in that field. In addition, it offered development assistance to developing countries around the world. In 2011 and 2012, it had provided humanitarian and development assistance (governmental and non-governmental) amounting to over 3 billion Qatar riyals (QR). It provided assistance to 100 countries, in particular to least developed countries, to help them achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. The contributions of Qatar also included humanitarian and development initiatives, such as: ���Hope For”, an initiative to improve the effectiveness and coordination of military and civil defences in response to natural disasters; “Protecting Education in Insecurity and Armed Conflict”, an initiative to support and promote the right to education in crisis, conflict and war zones; “Al-Fakhurah”, an initiative to support and protect students and schools in conflict zones, particularly in Gaza; “Silatech”, an initiative to expand 4