Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani delivered a landmark speech at the United Nations General Assembly on September 23. The highly-anticipated speech, coming in the backdrop of Israel’s treacherous attack on the sovereignty of the State of Qatar and its continued barbaric military campaign and siege of the Gaza Strip, delivered an emphatic message, rejecting violence and use of force to settle disputes.
At a time when global politics is clouded by violence, and the erosion of international norms, H H the Amir’s speech stood out as a sober reminder of what is at stake — not only for the Middle East but for the future of the global order itself.
The Amir’s address was anchored in a central message: that the international community must return to the principles upon which the United Nations was founded — sovereignty, justice, and respect for human dignity. These ideals, he warned, are being undermined by a dangerous drift toward the “law of the jungle”.
Central to his speech was the treacherous Israeli attack on Doha earlier this month, which targeted a Hamas negotiating delegation in the Qatari capital, killing six people including a Qatari officer and injuring many others. The Amir described it unequivocally as state terrorism and an assault on a mediating state that has worked tirelessly, in partnership with Egypt and the United States, to broker ceasefires and humanitarian relief in Gaza. By targeting peace efforts directly, Israel exposed its true intentions: prolonging the war and paving the way for displacement and annexation.
The Amir lauded states that have already recognised the State of Palestine and urged others to follow suit.
Yet the speech was not confined to Gaza. The Amir broadened the scope to other regional crises, highlighting Qatar’s consistent role as a supporter of peace, stability, and humanitarian relief across the Arab world. Qatar has been active not only in the Middle East but also in Africa and Ukraine, facilitating mediation and peace initiatives.
Finally, the Amir positioned Doha as a capital of dialogue and global convening. He announced that Qatar will host the Second World Summit for Social Development in November and confirmed its bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, emphasising sport as a bridge of peace and understanding.
