Geneva: The State of Qatar has reaffirmed its commitment to diplomacy and dialogue as essential tools for conflict resolution. This assertion was made by Sarah Abdulaziz Al Khater, First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Qatar in Geneva, during an event organized by the Qatar Red Crescent Society. The event took place alongside the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent statutory meetings in Geneva and highlighted Qatar’s foreign policy priorities, which focus on international cooperation and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
According to Qatar News Agency, Al Khater emphasized Qatar’s dedication to international development and humanitarian aid, marked by a $500 million contribution to various United Nations programs. She also noted the inauguration of the United Nations House in Doha in March 2023, a move aimed at bolstering the UN’s regional and global operations and fostering closer cooperation between Qatar and the international organization.
Al Khater detailed Qatar’s supp
ort for initiatives in education, health, youth employment, economic empowerment, and aid for refugees and displaced persons. She highlighted Qatar’s efforts to work with the international community to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and respond to humanitarian emergencies. These efforts aim to alleviate human suffering and uphold the dignity of vulnerable populations.
In support of humanitarian diplomacy, Al Khater announced the Doha Forum’s recent Memorandum of Understanding with the World Humanitarian Summit. This partnership aims to enhance humanitarian diplomacy through collaboration and dialogue. The upcoming forum, themed “The Innovation Imperative,” will gather global leaders, policymakers, and influencers to address pressing issues through high-level sessions on humanitarian diplomacy.
Al Khater expressed Qatar’s pride in HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, who received the Champion of Humanitarian Diplomacy award for 2024 from the Parliamentar
y Assembly of the Mediterranean. This recognition underscores Qatar’s diplomatic contributions, particularly in humanitarian efforts, peace-building, and delivering aid during crises, such as the earthquake response in Turkiye and Syria, and mediation efforts in Gaza, Afghanistan, Sudan, and between Russia and Ukraine.
She called for respect for international humanitarian law and the UN Charter, highlighting violations due to Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon, which have resulted in significant civilian casualties and infrastructure destruction. Al Khater urged the international community to consistently condemn violations and hold perpetrators accountable, warning against double standards that could undermine human dignity and global stability.
