With its belief in multilateralism, Qatar has been one of the most steadfast supporters of the United Nations and has, over the decades, backed the global body’s work through financing, development support and assistance to the least developed countries. Humanitarian work in countries affected by conflicts, poverty and natural disasters has been a particularly important field of joint work since Qatar joined the UN over half a century ago.
A member of the Board of the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund, Qatar has worked at a bilateral level as well as through the UN to extend humanitarian and development assistance to many countries around the world. Qatar was ranked first among Arab countries and sixth globally in terms of contributing to the UN multi-partner funds and programmes. There is also a Qatar-UN partnership to enhance the role of preventive diplomacy in resolving conflicts in the Arab and the Middle East region.
In his address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 21, 2021, when Qatar marked 50 years since joining the UN, Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said: “During the past five decades, the relationship between Qatar and the international organisation has been characterised by close cooperation and the establishment of exemplary partnerships in various fields.”
On the sidelines of the 2018 Doha Forum, Qatar and the UN signed several agreements, including a $500m pledge to various UN programmes and the establishment of four new UN offices in Doha. The agreements further pledged annual support from Qatar to UNDP, Unicef, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, and the UNHCR.
Over the years, Qatar has also hosted a number of vital UN conferences and events that helped push forward solutions based on global policies. Qatar ranks among the top ten contributors to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The value of assistance and aid provided by Qatar, both government and non-government, increased from about $483m in 2008 to more than $2bn in 2017.
The ongoing 76th session of the UN General Assembly comes at a time when the world is faced with a host of daunting challenges, ranging from natural disasters resulting from climate change, energy insecurity and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As H H the Amir stressed in his address at the UNGA on Tuesday, the world needs dialogue, joint action and stable rules regulating international relations.
