Qatar’s partnership with the United Nations has strengthened significantly through increased multilateral cooperation, support for UN agencies, and active engagement in addressing both global and regional challenges, according to Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani.

In an exclusive statement marking the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Sheikha Alya outlined the partnership’s foundation on three pillars: adherence to the UN Charter and international law, tangible support for the UN and its agencies, and a proactive role in developing solutions to pressing issues. She noted a transformative expansion in 2018 when Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, committed $500 million over ten years to support UN organizations.

This commitment led to agreements with several UN entities, including the UN Development Programme, UNICEF, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and UNRWA during the 2018 Doha Forum. The then UN Secretary-General hailed these accords as a significant milestone in cementing a lasting strategic alliance. Qatar further institutionalized its role by inaugurating the United Nations House in Doha in March 2023, which now houses 14 UN offices, reinforcing the city’s position as a regional hub for coordination, dialogue, and emergency response.

Sheikha Alya emphasized that Qatar’s future cooperation with the UN aims to integrate mediation and conflict resolution more closely with development and humanitarian initiatives while supporting UN reform efforts, particularly under the UN80 Initiative. Qatar’s mediation work has garnered formal recognition from the Security Council, with resolutions acknowledging its role in facilitating humanitarian pauses and ceasefires, including in Gaza and Afghanistan. Notably, Qatar helped broker the 2020 US-Taliban peace agreement and played a constructive role alongside the US, Egypt, and Türkiye in the 2025 Gaza ceasefire negotiations.

Qatar’s diplomatic mediation has extended to Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it facilitated a Declaration of Principles in Doha in July 2025, marking progress toward conflict resolution. According to Sheikha Alya, Qatar’s approach prioritizes neutrality, respect for sovereignty, and peaceful solutions, aiming to bolster preventive diplomacy and protect mediation processes globally.

Developmental assistance is viewed by Qatar as fundamental to achieving sustainable peace. The country has provided support to impoverished and least developed nations while promoting human rights, relief efforts, and intercultural dialogue. Doha has hosted significant UN conferences, including the latter part of the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries in 2023 and the Second World Summit for Social Development in 2025, which issued the Doha Political Declaration reaffirming commitments to social protection and poverty eradication. Qatar has pledged $60 million toward implementing the Doha Programme of Action and is planning a midterm review meeting.

Through the Qatar Fund for Development, the country has pursued initiatives to enhance resilience in vulnerable states and combat food insecurity, alongside allocating roughly $1 billion of its Special Drawing Rights to the IMF’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust and Resilience and Sustainability Trust.

Sheikha Alya also highlighted Qatar’s leading role in establishing the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, observed annually on September 9. The initiative underscores the principle that educational institutions should be safeguarded even during conflicts. Originating from a UN General Assembly resolution proposed by Qatar and supported by a broad coalition of member states, this effort builds upon prior work led by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. It has contributed to increased monitoring and accountability for attacks on schools and education personnel, as well as synergy with the Safe Schools Declaration and Security Council resolutions.

Qatar continues to invest in UN cooperation by meeting its financial commitments and fostering human capital development through the Junior Professional Officer Programme, which places young Qatari professionals within UN agencies such as UNDP and UNICEF.

Looking ahead, Sheikha Alya stressed the importance of UN reform in the face of ongoing conflicts, inequality, development challenges, and climate change, alongside emerging issues like digital technology governance and the digital divide. Qatar remains dedicated to its principles of peace, dialogue, adherence to international law, and the peaceful resolution of disputes as it works with the UN to promote justice, peace, and equality worldwide.