Category: Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

New York, September 26, 2026

The State of Qatar hosted a high-level event of accelerating Global Action on Autism. The event was organized in partnership with the United Republic of Tanzania, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Georgia, Qatar Foundation, UNICEF, the International Labour Organization (ILO), Autism Speaks, Education Above All, the Autism Impact Fund, and the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

In remarks at the event, HE Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani highlighted the significance of marking the first anniversary of the Global Autism Advocacy Alliance. Launched by Qatar Foundation in collaboration with Autism Speaks, UNICEF, and the Ministry of Social Development and Family, the Alliance was inspired by the vision of the Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and her unwavering commitment to promoting the dignity, rights, and inclusion of individuals with autism and their families. 

HE Sheikha Alya explained that this vision continues to guide the State of Qatar’s efforts-both nationally and internationally-to advance the rights and inclusion of individuals with autism, enhance support for their families, and ensure that no one is left behind. She added that Qatar Foundation, under the leadership of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, plays a pivotal role in translating this vision into tangible reality through its pioneering programs and services.

These initiatives support individuals with autism and their families across the entire spectrum of needs-from early diagnosis and healthcare to education, employment, and social inclusion. She noted that Qatar Foundation’s autism strategy for 2025–2030 reflects this integrated approach by pooling expertise and fostering collaboration among government entities, research institutions, civil society, and individuals with autism and their families.

For her part, HE Advisor to the Prime Minister for Public Health Affairs, Dr. Hanan Al Kuwari expressed her appreciation for the partners, countries, and organizations that have contributed to supporting the work of the Global Autism Alliance. She noted that the challenge lies not only in identifying effective interventions but also in ensuring their equitable, sustainable, and widespread delivery to individuals with autism and their families, particularly in settings that lack resources and specialized capabilities. 

Her Excellency added that the initiatives proposed within the framework of the alliance aim to strengthen and expand workforce capabilities, leverage technology and innovation, facilitate knowledge sharing, and ensure the inclusion of individuals with autism and their families in priority setting and decision-making. 

She, further, reaffirmed the State of Qatar’s commitment to continued collaboration with partners to enhance cooperation and accelerate implementation, thereby contributing to tangible improvements in the lives of individuals with autism and their families.

For his part, HE Director General of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), Fahad bin Hamad Al Sulaiti stated that inclusion is a fundamental aspect of the Fund’s work. He emphasized the necessity of ensuring that individuals with autism and their families have access to the support and opportunities that enable them to participate fully in society. 
He highlighted the importance of bringing together government institutions, researchers, service providers, and responsible investors within a unified framework to share expertise and identify effective, viable solutions-grounded in evidence, impact measurement, and financial sustainability.

His Excellency added that the next phase requires a focus on four key pillars: mobilizing capital and strengthening public-private partnerships; building capacity within national plans; leveraging technology and artificial intelligence to support autism services and education; and reinforcing policies to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of these programs. 
The event saw broad participation from government officials representing the countries involved in the High-Level Week, including HE Tanzania’s Minister of Health, Ummy Ally Mwalimu; HE Poland’s Minister of Health, Jolanta Sobieranska-Grenda; HE Georgia’s Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs, Mikheil Sarjveladze; and HE State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, Shama Obaid Islam. 

The ministers emphasized the importance of moving from commitments to practical implementation, strengthening healthcare systems and services, providing specialized support for individuals with autism and their families, and ensuring equitable and inclusive access to services.

Participants reviewed their national efforts to enhance early detection and intervention, develop specialized workforces, expand rehabilitation and community support services, and foster inclusion in education, employment, and society, while ensuring the active participation of individuals with autism and their families in shaping policies and services. 

They underscored the importance of building national capacities, improving data collection and research, leveraging technology and artificial intelligence, and strengthening international cooperation and the exchange of expertise to support the development of sustainable solutions.

Participants emphasized the importance of continuing joint efforts through the Global Autism Alliance, contributing to the translation of international commitments into tangible actions at both national and community levels. They highlighted the need to ensure that individuals with autism receive the support and opportunities enabling them to learn, participate, and contribute fully to society. 

The event featured participation from several senior officials representing the United Nations and international organizations, most notably UN Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director for Partnerships at UNICEF, Kitty van der Heijden; Special Representative and Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Office for the United Nations, Cynthia Samuel-Olonjuwon; Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Office at the UN Headquarters in New York, Dr. Werner Obermeyer; and President and CEO of Autism Speaks, Keith Wargo. 

Van der Heijden commended the State of Qatar’s role in launching the Alliance, noting that this year’s event offers an opportunity to assess the progress made regarding commitments pledged a year ago and to evaluate their impact on children and families. 

She explained that UNICEF focuses on building integrated, child-centered systems-leveraging frontline workers in health, education, and social protection-to ensure the early identification of developmental differences, support caregivers, and connect children and their families with necessary services, stressing the importance of early autism detection in opening doors to opportunities. 

For her part, Samuel-Olonjuwon highlighted the importance of ensuring the rights of individuals with autism in the workplace-promoting equal opportunities, non-discrimination, training, and career advancement-and outlined the role of International Labour Organization standards in supporting these goals. Dr. Obermeyer commended the State of Qatar’s role in spearheading the autism agenda at the United Nations, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach that ensures inclusion and access to quality care and support services throughout the lifespan, while also involving individuals with autism, their families, and representative organizations in policy formulation and service design. 

Meanwhile, Wargo outlined the efforts of “Autism Speaks” to translate research and knowledge into practical, cross-border solutions-including the use of technology and artificial intelligence to share expertise and build the capacity of healthcare workers-stressing the necessity of involving individuals with autism and their families in designing these solutions and assessing their suitability for their needs.

In turn, Advisor for Research, Development, and Innovation to the Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, Professor Hilal Lashuel stated that the Alliance’s initiatives mark a significant milestone in its work. He noted that the initiatives aim to identify and address existing gaps through targeted measures, including measuring progress, sharing expertise and knowledge, fostering innovation, ensuring the participation of individuals with autism and their families in decision-making, and building the workforce required to provide support across the lifespan. He explained that these initiatives, taken together, form a fundamental pillar of the infrastructure needed to advance work in the field of autism.

The event featured a presentation showcasing efforts made over the past year to build a global network aimed at improving the lives of more than 61.8 million people with autism worldwide. This network seeks to achieve its goals by actively involving individuals with autism, their families, and caregivers in setting priorities and formulating solutions. 
The presentation highlighted the importance of making knowledge, evidence, and solutions accessible and adaptable to diverse cultures and contexts, as well as scaling up effective solutions and integrating them into national systems. 
It also outlined various initiatives by the Global Autism Alliance designed to foster research, evidence-based practices, accountability, innovation, and knowledge sharing, while supporting the workforce, policies, and national commitments required for large-scale service delivery.

Notably, the organization of this event reflects Qatar’s role in supporting international efforts to promote inclusion and improve the lives of people with autism and their families. It also underscores the country’s commitment to mobilizing international partnerships to move beyond mere awareness-raising and pledges toward the implementation of practical, sustainable solutions. 

The event served as a platform to review the progress achieved since the launch of the Global Autism Alliance a year ago.

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

New York, September 25, 2026

The State of Qatar participated today in the high-level ministerial meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

  HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi represented the State of Qatar at the meeting .

  In his remarks during the meeting, HE the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Qatar’s appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Norway, and the European Union for convening this meeting and for their pivotal efforts in advancing the two-state solution initiative. This solution that enjoys broad acceptance as the path to achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement of the Palestinian cause and realizing sustainable peace in the Middle East.

  His Excellency reaffirmed Qatar’s position that there is no alternative to adhering to international law and international legitimacy resolutions, and to implementing the two-state solution. This entails establishing an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital living in security and peace alongside Israel, and enjoying international recognition and full UN membership. He commended the countries that have recognized the State of Palestine and called upon all nations to do the same.

  His Excellency stated that this path ensures peace and security for all and ends the historical injustice that has persisted for decades, despite condemnation by the international community and numerous resolutions and rulings issued by the United Nations and the International Court of Justice affirming the illegality of the occupation and its associated unlawful practices.

  His Excellency noted that the State of Qatar has unceasingly pursued its well-known efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and establish peace in the Middle East. This reflects its steadfast position and fundamental commitment to resolving conflicts through peaceful means, as well as its solidarity with the brotherly Palestinian people and their legitimate, inalienable rights.

  In line with this commitment to a peaceful solution, the State of Qatar has continued to play an active role -on both regional and international stages- in efforts to achieve this goal, whether through this coalition, the United Nations, the League of Arab States, or the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, His Excellency said pointing that Qatar also actively participated in the international conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and the implementation of the two-state solution; notably, it co-chaired the working group on ‘peace narratives’ alongside Canada and Mexico and contributed to the development of the New York Declaration, which serves as a substantive outcome document, establishing a starting point for sustained international engagement and outlining practical steps that give concrete form to the international community’s commitment to its responsibilities.

His Excellency explained that the events of the past year pose an unprecedented threat, undermining prospects for realizing the two-state solution and making peace increasingly elusive. He highlighted, in particular, Israeli measures aimed at imposing sovereignty and de facto annexation of the West Bank; the seizure of Palestinian lands for designation as so-called “state land”; the expansion of illegal settlements in occupied territory-specifically the E1 zone project; the dangerous practices and extremist settler violence witnessed in the West Bank; and attempts to alter the religious and historical status of Islamic and Christian holy sites, alongside the violation of the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque by settlers and Israeli officials. He noted that the State of Qatar has condemned these violations, stressing that the international community bears the responsibility to address them effectively through all available means, in adherence to international law and international legitimacy, and to create conditions conducive to the two-state solution.

His Excellency emphasized that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of Palestinian territory; consequently, the war on the Strip and the ensuing catastrophic crisis have posed a grave threat to the two-state solution, as well as to peace, security, and stability.

In this regard, he noted that the State of Qatar has exerted strenuous efforts -alongside the Arab Republic of Egypt, the United States of America, and the Republic of Turkiye- to reach a ceasefire agreement.

He added that Qatar continues its efforts, including within the framework of the Peace Council, to ensure the implementation of the peace plan for Gaza and UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which adopted it.

  His Excellency noted that the State of Qatar has exerted tangible and sustained efforts to end humanitarian suffering and improve humanitarian and economic conditions, and has continued to provide relief and development support to the Palestinian people- including the efforts made through the UN system. He affirmed Qatar’s commitment to continuing these diplomatic and humanitarian efforts and to supporting various sincere initiatives aimed at taking practical, effective steps to achieve peace, security, and stability.

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

New York, September 25, 2026

The State of Qatar, in partnership with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the United Kingdom, hosted Friday a “Call to Action” meeting on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi represented the State of Qatar at the meeting.

In his address, HE the Minister of State emphasized that Qatar attaches great importance to alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people. He noted that this commitment has been a primary driver of the State of Qatar’s diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and to advance the comprehensive 20-point plan, which was proposed by US President Donald Trump and endorsed by the Security Council in Resolution 2803.

His Excellency highlighted that Qatar’s diplomatic efforts have been accompanied by extensive humanitarian initiatives, including the provision of food, essential supplies, and tents to approximately 436,000 people, as well as the resumption of operations at the HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics.

He further explained that Qatar has supplied the Gaza Strip with 30 million liters of fuel over the past three years and recently signed an agreement with the United Nations to provide an additional 1.3 million liters to support the continued functioning of medical facilities and essential services.

His Excellency emphasized the necessity of ensuring rapid, sustainable, and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, enabling humanitarian organizations to carry out their duties safely, and protecting health workers, medical facilities, and medical transport.

He also highlighted the urgent need -as winter approaches- to provide shelter, clean water, and sanitation services.

Furthermore, HE the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the State of Qatar’s commitment to continuing its work with partners and the Board of Peace to address urgent humanitarian needs and support recovery and reconstruction efforts, with the ultimate goal of achieving a just and lasting peace. He also expressed Qatar’s appreciation for the support extended to the “Call to Action.” (QNA)

tended to the “Call to Action.” 

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

New York | September 24, 2026

The State of Qatar has called for greater emphasis on national ownership and inclusive institutions in international peacebuilding efforts, saying sustainable peace depends on institutions that are accountable, resilient and representative.

HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi made the remarks at a UN Peacebuilding Commission ministerial meeting on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

Al Khulaifi said women, young people, civil society and marginalized communities should have opportunities to participate in decisions affecting peace, recovery and development.

He said international assistance should respond to national priorities and strengthen state institutions rather than replace them, with greater coordination among the UN system, international financial institutions and regional organizations.

Qatar’s peacebuilding efforts, he said, are guided by its National Vision 2030 and Third National Development Strategy for 2024-2030, with a focus on social cohesion and women’s participation.

Al Khulaifi also highlighted Qatar’s mediation efforts and said its foreign policy prioritizes preventive diplomacy and the peaceful settlement of disputes. He cited the Doha Framework for Peace between the Democratic Republic of the Congo government and the Congo River Alliance (M23) as a recent example.

He said Qatar had provided more than $7 billion in humanitarian and development assistance to more than 100 countries in recent years, particularly countries affected by conflict.

Addressing the situation in the Gulf, Al Khulaifi said freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz was a fundamental principle and called for the restoration of navigation in accordance with international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026).

He also called for any future arrangements concerning the strait to be based on regional consensus and full respect for international law.

Al Khulaifi stressed the need for predictable and sustainable financing for national institutions, including through the UN Peacebuilding Fund. Qatar has contributed $1 million to the fund since its establishment, including contributions to its 2023 and 2024 budgets.

He reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to working with international partners to support nationally owned peacebuilding efforts, strengthen inclusive state institutions and promote sustainable peace.

Source: Government of Qatar