Qatar has reaffirmed its commitment to serving as a center for dialogue on Afghanistan, underscoring its long-standing role in facilitating peace efforts through the Doha peace process launched in 2013. This was emphasized by Minister of State for International Cooperation, HE Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, during the Afghanistan Coordination Group meeting held in Doha from October 20 to 21.
Al Misnad expressed gratitude to Switzerland, the United Nations, the World Bank, and other participating governments and institutions for their ongoing support to the Afghan people. She stressed the urgent need for sustained international engagement, clear strategic priorities, and practical cooperation to address Afghanistan’s complex challenges. According to the minister, Qatar’s approach has consistently prioritized peaceful solutions grounded in dialogue and preventive diplomacy. The country has played an instrumental role in facilitating communication among Afghan stakeholders, the UN, and international partners, hosting the UN-led Doha peace process that has helped coordinate global efforts.
Highlighting Qatar’s position, Al Misnad stated that Afghanistan’s future should be determined through a comprehensive political process led by Afghans themselves, respecting the country’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. She noted the interconnected nature of Afghanistan’s stability with regional security, economic connectivity, and broader international peace, emphasizing that the country cannot be considered in isolation from its neighbors or global challenges.
Qatar’s involvement extends beyond political dialogue to active participation in development and humanitarian initiatives, including the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR) and the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund. Over the last decade, Qatar has contributed and pledged nearly $150 million toward humanitarian and developmental projects in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and emergency response.
The minister highlighted the acute humanitarian and economic vulnerabilities facing Afghanistan, pointing out the increasing pressure on funding. She stressed that aid delivery must be transparent, accountable, and aligned with humanitarian principles to avoid the adverse effects of fragmented efforts or conflicting approaches. Qatar intends to continue supporting humanitarian and development programs through its national institutions, in close coordination with UN agencies and international partners, focusing on reaching vulnerable populations, including women and youth, who play a crucial role in shaping Afghanistan’s socio-economic future.
Al Misnad described the Doha Process and its related working groups as valuable platforms for promoting cooperative efforts aimed at areas such as counter-narcotics and private-sector development. She encouraged the meeting participants to maintain momentum, ensuring Afghanistan remains a priority on the international agenda. The minister underscored the importance of technical cooperation complementing—rather than replacing—the broader political framework.
She called on the group to use the meeting to clearly identify shared priorities, strengthen practical cooperation, and renew international commitments to the Afghan people’s wellbeing and stability.