Qatar Emphasizes belief in power of diplomacy, dialogue in resolving conflict

Geneva, November 01 (QNA) – The State of Qatar affirmed its strong belief in the power of diplomacy and dialogue in resolving conflicts, emphasizing that its foreign policy is grounded in principles aimed at promoting international cooperation and encouraging peaceful conflict resolution.

This was highlighted in a statement delivered by First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Qatar in Geneva Sarah Abdulaziz Al Khater, during a side event organized by the Qatar Red Crescent Society on the sidelines of the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent statutory meetings in Geneva, titled “Humanitarian diplomacy: key issues, challenges, and opportunities for enhanced effectiveness.” Al Khater noted that, as part of its steadfast commitment to international development and humanitarian assistance, Qatar signed an agreement to contribute $500 million to various United Nations programs. Additionally, the United Nations House was inaugurated in Doha in March 2023 to consolidate the UNs regional and international operations and to facilitate enhanced cooperation between Qatar and the international organization.

She added that Qatar has been keen to support various humanitarian and development initiatives, especially in education, health, youth employment, economic empowerment, and support for refugees and displaced persons and the communities that host them. Qatar also strives to enhance coordination and work with the international community to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to respond swiftly to humanitarian emergencies, alleviating human suffering for vulnerable and needy populations and preserving their dignity.

Al Khater mentioned that, in support of humanitarian diplomacy, the Doha Forum, scheduled for Dec. 7-8, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Humanitarian Summit. This aims to strengthen the role of humanitarian diplomacy through close cooperation and dialogue, with the World Humanitarian Summit participating in this year’s edition of the forum, which will address the theme “The Innovation Imperative.” She added that Key leaders, policymakers, thinkers, and influencers from around the world will attend to tackle pressing issues through a series of high-level sessions on humanitarian diplomacy.

In this context, she expressed Qatar’s pride in HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, who was awarded the Champion of Humanitarian Diplomacy award for 2024 by the General Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean. This award reflects regional and international appreciation for Qatar’s diplomacy and its effective roles, particularly in the humanitarian field, its efforts to achieve peace, and its active diplomacy in delivering humanitarian aid to support friendly and brotherly countries in times of adversity, natural disasters, and armed conflicts. Notable efforts include the response to the earthquake in Turkiye and Syria, support for Afghanistan and Sudan, Qatari mediation to halt aggression on Gaza, and successful mediation between Russia and Ukraine to reunite children with their families after being separated by war.

She stressed the State of Qatar’s call for the respect of international humanitarian law, the United Nations Charter and resolutions, and the preservation of the credibility of the global system, which has been significantly undermined in light of heinous crimes and grave violations of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions due to Israeli aggression on Gaza and Lebanon, where civilian casualties have exceeded 45,000, with over 100,000 injured, and millions displaced, most of them children and women. The destruction of civilian infrastructure, including homes, schools, and hospitals, as well as the targeting of humanitarian aid workers, UN staff, and international humanitarian organizations, along with obstruction of humanitarian assistance, were also highlighted.

Al Khater urged the international community to avoid double standards in condemning violations and holding perpetrators accountable, saying that the spirit and human dignity dictates avoiding the condemnation of civilian deaths somewhere while justifying them elsewhere, as this will lead to the prevalence of a mentality of power, reverting humanity to the laws of the jungle.