His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is set to deliver a speech at the opening of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Tuesday. Leading Qatar’s delegation, His Highness will participate in the annual high-level debate convening around 130 heads of state and government from across the globe.
The address is expected to reaffirm Qatar’s commitment to peace, security, and international cooperation, emphasizing multilateral diplomacy with a focus on mediation as a strategic pillar of its foreign policy. Qatar has consistently promoted peaceful conflict resolution, underlining the interconnectedness of peace, development, and international partnerships.
A prominent theme anticipated in His Highness’s remarks is the Palestinian issue. Qatar is expected to reiterate its calls for upholding Palestinian rights to freedom, security, and statehood, highlighting concerns over the ongoing Israeli occupation and criticizing the international community’s response. In past speeches, the Amir has condemned double standards in the international approach to Palestinian rights, affirmed support for a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital, and characterized the Israeli occupation as having taken on an apartheid-like character. He has warned that the continuation of settlement expansions undermines the foundations of peace and stressed that the Palestinian cause endures except in two scenarios: the end of the occupation or the disappearance of the Palestinian people.
Qatar’s mediation efforts, including those aimed at halting conflict and securing the release of prisoners and detainees in Gaza, have been repeatedly emphasized. The Amir has described Qatar’s role as combining political action and mediation with humanitarian assistance and development aid, often in partnership with regional actors such as Egypt and international stakeholders including the United States. Doha’s approach includes sustained engagement in crises beyond the Middle East, including efforts in Africa and Ukraine, reflecting Qatar’s broader peace-building and diplomatic initiatives.
In addition to addressing the Palestinian conflict, His Highness is expected to bring attention to other pressing regional issues such as the ongoing violence in Sudan, political instability in Lebanon, the war in Yemen, the situation in Syria, and the crisis in Libya. Qatar has condemned violence against civilians in these conflicts and called for accountability, cessation of hostilities, and political settlements.
Development challenges remain a key focus in Qatar’s UN contributions, linking sustainable growth with stability and security. The Amir has highlighted the importance of scientific and technological progress and urged the removal of barriers hindering international cooperation in these fields. Qatar has also promoted initiatives such as hosting the United Nations House in Doha and the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, underscoring its role in fostering dialogue under the UN framework.
His Highness’s speeches have consistently emphasized respect for sovereignty, adherence to international law, and opposition to selective application of legitimacy principles. Qatar views mediation and international partnerships as essential tools in addressing global crises, advocating for diplomacy as the starting point of conflict resolution rather than armed confrontation.
During this visit, the Amir is scheduled to hold several bilateral meetings with world leaders and senior officials to reinforce strategic partnerships and coordinate positions on key issues on the General Assembly’s agenda. The opening of the 81st UNGA session, themed “Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all,” comes amid a complex international landscape marked by interconnected challenges requiring enhanced multilateral cooperation.