New york: HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani participated in the High-level Pledging Event on the Central Emergency Response Fund 2026, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The event was attended by HE UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher.

According to Qatar News Agency, in her statement during the event, HE Sheikha Alya announced that the State of Qatar is pledging $1 million to support the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for 2026. This pledge is part of Qatar’s commitment to the vital role played by CERF in responding to urgent humanitarian needs and its longstanding partnership with the United Nations.

Her Excellency expressed Qatar’s appreciation for CERF’s role in delivering rapid, life-saving assistance in complex humanitarian situations. She emphasized that CERF has consistently provided essential services such as food, shelter, and medical care during critical times when immediate response is crucial.

HE Qatar’s Permanent Representative highlighted CERF’s importance in addressing emergencies in conflict zones and climate-related disasters, underscoring its indispensable value to the international community. She noted that Qatar was among the initial contributors to CERF after its inception in 2006, with contributions exceeding $21 million between 2006 and 2025.

In conclusion, Her Excellency reaffirmed Qatar’s unwavering support for CERF, emphasizing the need for timely and effective humanitarian assistance delivery. She called for strengthened cooperation among stakeholders in crises resulting from armed conflicts or natural disasters and highlighted the role of humanitarian diplomacy in promoting dialogue and access to those in need.