The State of Qatar took part on Saturday in an international conference focused on Jerusalem, organized by the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP) in cooperation with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The event was held in Cairo, Egypt, under the theme “Jerusalem: The Frontline of Displacement and Annexation and the Key to Achieving a Just and Lasting Peace.”

Qatar's delegation was led by Minister Plenipotentiary Maryam bint Ahmed al-Shibi, who serves as Deputy Ambassador of Qatar to Egypt and Deputy Permanent Representative to the League of Arab States. The conference addressed the challenges facing the Palestinian population in East Jerusalem, including issues of displacement, dispossession, and violence. Discussions placed these concerns within the wider context of the occupied Palestinian territories, highlighting the significance of preserving Jerusalem’s religious and cultural heritage.

The conference emphasized the importance of protecting the city’s unique multi-religious character and maintaining the existing historical and legal status quo. Participants underscored that this status quo remains fundamental to achieving peace, stability, and interfaith coexistence in Jerusalem. The agenda also focused on restrictions affecting freedom of worship and threats posed to holy sites, alongside the impact of Israeli policies such as settlement expansion, which were described as affecting the city’s identity and the Palestinian presence.

Two main panel discussions were held, bringing together religious leaders, policymakers, and experts. One panel centered on safeguarding the holy city and preserving the historical status of its religious sites. The other focused on maintaining the Palestinian presence, rights, and sovereignty in Jerusalem and the broader occupied Palestinian territory amid displacement efforts and what were termed illegal settlement expansions.

The conference called on the international community to uphold its responsibilities under international law to protect Jerusalem’s cultural and religious character. While the meeting reiterated the historic and legal status quo as the basis for future peace, it also highlighted ongoing tensions surrounding policies and actions that continue to affect the city’s demographic and cultural composition. The event reflected ongoing concerns over the future of Jerusalem in the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the quest for a comprehensive and lasting resolution.