Qatar enjoys a global reputation as a neutral and reliable mediator. This reflects a deep-rooted constitutional commitment to resolving international disputes and conflicts peacefully. Article 7 of Qatar’s Constitution stipulates mediation as a key foreign policy priority.
Since 2004, Qatari mediations have been aimed at brokering ceasefires, restoring diplomatic relations, releasing hostages, facilitating exchange of prisoners, initiating national dialogue processes, helping end border disputes and bringing about peace agreements at the regional and global levels.
Qatar’s success in brokering the long-awaited Gaza ceasefire has further enhanced its reputation as a mediator. The country hosted talks between Israel and Hamas, culminating in truce that started on January 19. The agreement capped more than a year of often frustrating negotiations, with officials from both former US President Joe Biden’s administration and successor Donald Trump’s team involved in the final push.
Despite the challenges and complexities, Qatari mediation has brought about resolutions to many crises and conflicts in the Arab region and beyond.
Notable achievements include brokering a truce in Yemen (2008-2010), hosting of the Lebanese National Dialogue, facilitating the Darfur negotiations and signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur, hosting the talks between the United States and the Afghan Taliban which culminated in a peace agreement, mediating negotiations between Chadian factions that resulted in the signing of the Doha Peace Agreement and the inclusion of armed political movements in the Chadian sovereign inclusive national dialogue, and aiding Somalia and Kenya in resuming diplomatic relations.
Besides, Qatar has mediated between Russia and Ukraine. Qatar announced in April last year the arrival of 20 Russian and Ukrainian families, including 37 children, in Doha as part of a programme aimed at providing health care and support. Qatar’s efforts have helped reunited many Ukrainian and Russian children with their families.
Ukrainian President H E Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanked Qatar during a meeting with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani for its efforts in reuniting Ukrainian children separated by the ongoing war with Russia. Qatar has been playing a central role in mediating the return of 53 children taken from Ukraine by Russia. In the same context, H E the Prime Minister on Saturday received a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russia H E Sergey Lavrov. The discussions focused on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and Qatar’s role in reuniting children with their families.
H E the Prime Minister reiterated Qatar’s stance in supporting efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict through dialogue.
