Qatar Amir Participates in Opening Session of 80th UN General Assembly

English , Snippets , / Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025

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New York, September 23 (QNA) – HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani participated Tuesday in the opening session of the 80th United Nations General Assembly held at the UN headquarters in New York. The session was attended by heads of state, leaders of governments and delegations, and representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations.
HH the Amir delivered a speech in which he recalled that the United Nations was established eight decades ago on rules and principles reached by humanity after two world wars, emphasizing the preservation of international peace and security, respect for human dignity and sovereignty, and fostering international cooperation. He warned that the decline of this international order in favor of the logic of power paves the way for the law of the jungle to prevail, eroding law and justice and allowing aggressors to gain privileges by virtue of their strength. This so-called new political realism, he said, amounts to catastrophic myopia where tolerance towards transgressions is mistaken for weakness. He stressed that the central issue before international institutions today must be the restoration of the collective security system in line with the UN Charter to reinstate international legitimacy.
HH the Amir condemned the treacherous attack on September 9 in Doha that targeted a meeting of the Hamas negotiating delegation in a residential neighborhood, killing six people, including a Qatari member of Lekhwiya, and injuring 18 others. He described the aggression as a grave violation of sovereignty and international norms, branding it as state terrorism. Contrary to the Israeli Prime Minister’s claims, the attack was not about targeting terrorists but an assault on a mediating peace-making state. Qatar, he noted, has devoted its diplomacy to resolving conflicts peacefully and has worked tirelessly for two years to end the genocidal war against the Palestinian people in Gaza. The attack, he explained, even attempted to assassinate delegation members engaged in negotiations with Israel on an American proposal.
Qatar’s mediation, together with Egypt and the United States, had already succeeded in securing the release of 148 hostages. Motivated by the hope of a permanent ceasefire, humanitarian aid, release of Palestinian prisoners, and withdrawal of occupation forces from Gaza, Qatar continued mediation despite Israel unilaterally canceling the last truce. HH the Amir denounced the Israeli government’s duplicity—negotiating in Doha while plotting attacks—saying such behavior reflects the mindset of a rogue government. He added that no party would attempt to assassinate a negotiating delegation unless its goal was to derail negotiations, which Israel views merely as a continuation of war.
He said Israel’s real aim is not freeing hostages but destroying Gaza, rendering housing, livelihoods, education, and healthcare impossible to pave the way for displacement. The Israeli Prime Minister, he said, insists on prolonging the war as part of his belief in a Greater Land of Israel, seeing the war as a chance to expand settlements, alter the status quo at Al-Haram al-Sharif, and annex parts of the West Bank. HH the Amir warned that ethnic cleansing and imposing new realities in the region are the real objectives of this war.
The Amir added that the assault on Qatar revealed Israel’s ambition to interfere wherever it wishes and to turn the Arab region into an Israeli sphere of influence. Arab and Islamic nations have already warned of the grave consequences of such dangerous delusions. He rejected Israel’s claim of being a democracy in a hostile environment, asserting that it is instead a state hostile to its environment, complicit in apartheid, and waging genocidal war. He noted that Israel’s leadership proudly declares blocking a Palestinian state, preventing peace, and entrenching occupation. Even as surrounding nations offer peace through agreements and initiatives, Israel is not content, branding any opposition as terrorism or antisemitism. He said global public opinion is now recognizing this reality, sparking a solidarity movement reminiscent of the campaign against apartheid.
HH the Amir expressed appreciation for the international solidarity with Qatar, including the unanimous Security Council condemnation of the aggression. He reaffirmed Qatar’s adherence to principles of truth, diplomacy, and peaceful conflict resolution, despite facing disinformation campaigns against its mediation efforts. Qatar, alongside Egypt and the U.S., will persist in mediation. He stressed that peace in the region requires the international community, especially the Security Council, to shift from accommodating Israel’s attempts to impose faits accomplis toward resolving the Palestinian cause based on ending occupation, enabling Palestinian self-determination, and establishing their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital on the 1967 borders. He welcomed the recognition of Palestine by several states, calling on others to follow suit, noting such recognition carries moral weight and reaffirms that force cannot erase a just cause.
HH the Amir underlined that instability transcends borders and humanity’s destiny is interconnected. Qatar has also contributed to resolving other crises, such as in Ukraine and Africa. He highlighted the Doha Declaration of Principles between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the M23 movement, achieved with African partners and U.S. support, as a step toward peace in eastern Congo. Qatar, he said, will remain an active international partner in resolving disputes peacefully and seizing opportunities to advance global peace.
He noted some positive developments in the region despite ongoing instability. In Syria, a new phase has begun since late last year, and Qatar hopes it will fulfill the aspirations of Syrians for stability, development, and rule of law. Qatar has consistently stood by the Syrian people, raising their cause even when it was sidelined internationally. He urged the global community to seize the current opportunity to support Syria in its transitional phase, stressing the importance of building institutions and inclusive citizenship while rejecting sectarianism and foreign intervention, particularly Israeli attempts to partition the country. Qatar, he affirmed, will continue supporting Syria and expressed confidence in the Syrian people’s ability to overcome hardship.
Regarding Lebanon, HH the Amir welcomed the election of General Joseph Aoun as President and the appointment of HE Dr. Nawaf Salam as Prime Minister, calling it a step toward stability. Qatar will continue to support Lebanon, its people, institutions, and army, while stressing the importance of enforcing UNSC Resolution 1701, ensuring Israeli withdrawal from recently occupied areas, and ending interference in Lebanon’s affairs.
On Sudan, he expressed deep concern over the unprecedented humanitarian crisis caused by ongoing violence. He urged all parties to prioritize national interests and engage in inclusive dialogue leading to sustainable peace, preserving Sudan’s unity, independence, and sovereignty, and fulfilling the aspirations of its people. Qatar supports regional and international efforts to achieve these goals.
HH the Amir highlighted Doha’s role as a global hub for political, economic, and sporting events, hosting leaders to devise solutions to global challenges. He announced that Qatar will host the Second World Summit for Social Development on November 4–6, 2025, welcoming the participation of the international community. He also noted Qatar’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, building on the legacy of successfully hosting global events such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which turned sport into a platform for peace and understanding.
Concluding, HH the Amir reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to championing truth, building bridges of peace, and promoting justice in international relations.
The session was attended by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and members of the official delegation accompanying HH the Amir.