During a parallel event hosted by the Qatar Red Crescent Society at the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in Geneva, Sarah Abdulaziz Al Khater, First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Qatar to Geneva, reiterated Qatar’s unwavering belief in the power of diplomacy and dialogue to resolve conflicts. Al Khater emphasized that Qatar’s foreign policy is rooted in a set of principles aimed at strengthening international cooperation and promoting peaceful resolution of disputes.
Al Khater highlighted Qatar’s commitment to international development and humanitarian assistance, noting a recent agreement to contribute $500 million to various United Nations programs. She also mentioned the opening of the UN House in Doha in March 2023, which aims to unify the UN’s work at regional and international levels and facilitate cooperation between Qatar and international organizations.
Furthermore, Al Khater expressed Qatar’s interest in supporting diverse humanitarian and development initiatives, particularly in the fields of education and health. These efforts include providing employment opportunities for youth, boosting the economy, and supporting refugees, displaced persons, and their host communities. Qatar is keen to enhance coordination with the international community to achieve sustainable development goals and respond swiftly to humanitarian emergencies, alleviating the suffering of vulnerable groups while preserving their dignity.
As part of its support for humanitarian diplomacy, the Doha Forum has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the World Humanitarian Summit, which aims to enhance the role of humanitarian diplomacy through close cooperation and dialogue. The summit will participate in this year’s forum, themed “The Inevitability of Innovation,” bringing together prominent leaders, policymakers, and thinkers from around the world. High-level sessions on humanitarian diplomacy will also be organized.
Al Khater expressed pride in Qatar’s hosting of H.E. Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, Minister of State for International Cooperation, who received the “Champion of Humanitarian Diplomacy” award for 2024 from the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly. This recognition reflects regional and international appreciation for Qatar’s diplomatic efforts, especially in humanitarian matters, and its commitment to establishing peace and providing aid to friendly and brotherly countries in times of crisis, including during the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, as well as the situations in Afghanistan and Sudan. Additionally, Qatar’s successful mediation in reuniting children separated from their families due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine was highlighted.
Al Khater stressed the necessity of respecting international humanitarian law, as well as the UN Charter and resolutions, while emphasizing the importance of preserving the credibility of the global system, which has been undermined by heinous crimes and serious violations of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions. The devastating impact of the Israeli aggression against Gaza and Lebanon was underscored, with civilian casualties exceeding 45,000 and over 100,000 injuries reported. Millions remain displaced, primarily women and children, amid deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure, including homes, schools, and hospitals, along with attacks on humanitarian workers and UN staff, severely hampering the delivery of aid.
Al Khater called on the international community to avoid double standards in condemning violations and to hold perpetrators accountable. “The spirit of humanity and the dignity of human life that we all bear responsibility for preserving are one and the same. We cannot condemn the killing of civilians here while justifying it elsewhere. Otherwise, the logic of force will overshadow the force of logic, and we will revert to the law of the jungle,” she stated.
As the world grapples with ongoing humanitarian crises, Qatar’s commitment to diplomacy and humanitarian support emerges as a crucial component in fostering international collaboration and addressing global challenges.
This article is originally published on qna.org.qa
