Latest news with #SheikhaAlya
Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar reaffirms its rejection of using food, starvation of civilians as weapon of war
The State of Qatar has reiterated its rejection of the use of food and the starvation of civilians as a weapon of war, calling on the international community to compel Israel to allow the safe, sustained, and unobstructed entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, to be distributed by international humanitarian organizations. This came in a statement delivered by Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani during the UN Security Council's quarterly open debate on 'The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question' (MEPQ), held at UN Headquarters in New York. She emphasized that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is beyond description, amid widespread famine, the collapse of infrastructure and the healthcare system, the spread of disease, and a death toll surpassing 58,000, including nearly 18,000 children. She affirmed the State of Qatar's strong condemnation of Israel's ongoing attacks on civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and residential areas, stressing that the forced displacement of Palestinians in any form constitutes a blatant violation of international humanitarian law. Sheikha Alya also stated that Qatar has made sincere efforts, in coordination with Egypt and the United States, to reach a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. She noted that past diplomatic efforts had yielded tangible results through previously reached agreements, and that current mediation efforts are ongoing to bridge the gap between the parties and secure an urgent agreement. She further condemned the statements made by Israel's Minister of Justice regarding the annexation of the West Bank, describing them as a continuation of illegal settlement policies and a flagrant violation of international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2334. She also denounced the approval of new settlement construction, and the attacks carried out by settlers as part of an ongoing series of crimes against the unarmed Palestinian population. She called for urgent international action to protect civilians and to ensure accountability for those responsible. She conveyed Qatar's condemnation of attempts by the Israeli occupation to alter the religious and historical status of holy sites, including the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli officials and settlers, the closure of the Jerusalem Fund, and the transfer of authority over Al Ibrahimi Mosque to a Jewish religious council. She said Qatar warned of the risks of regional spillover due to the conflict and condemned Israel's attacks on Syria, reaffirming its support for the Syrian Arab Republic's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people for stability and development. She also reaffirmed the State of Qatar's principled and unwavering support for Lebanon, its unity and territorial integrity, and called for the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from all Lebanese territory, urging all parties to uphold the ceasefire agreement. She expressed the State of Qatar's welcome of the upcoming United Nations High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution to be co-chaired next week by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic. Qatar hopes the conference will yield tangible results and clear international commitments, serving as a foundational step toward full UN membership for the State of Palestine. Sheikha Alya concluded by reaffirming Qatar's principled and consistent stance in support of a just and sustainable solution to the Palestinian issue, based on international legitimacy and ensuring the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. She stressed that Qatar will spare no effort in facilitating and supporting efforts toward achieving this goal.
Qatar Tribune
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar reaffirms commitment to peaceful dispute resolution
The State of Qatar's foreign policy gives the highest priority to the peaceful settlement of disputes, particularly through mediation. This commitment is reflected in a track record of successful mediation efforts that have contributed to enhancing security and stability across various regions of the world, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani stated. Delivering Qatar's statement before the Security Council's high-level open debate on 'Promoting International Peace and Security through Multilateralism and the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes' at the UN Headquarters in New York, Sheikha Alya highlighted the tripartite summit held last March in Doha, during which His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani hosted the President of the Republic of Rwanda and the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The summit contributed to creating favorable conditions for de-escalation, which led to the signing of the Declaration of Principles between representatives of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and representatives of the Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement, last Saturday in Doha. This declaration complements the peace agreement signed last month in Washington, DC, between the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda under the auspices of HE President of the United States of America Donald Trump, and supports the path toward a comprehensive peace agreement facilitated by the State of Qatar. On the situation in Afghanistan, she reaffirmed that the State of Qatar will continue its mediation efforts to support the country in facing major challenges to achieving peace and stability. This includes hosting the UN-led Doha Process on Afghanistan, which aims to fully reintegrate Afghanistan into the international community. Addressing the situation in the Gaza Strip, she stated that the outbreak of war in Gaza in 2023 posed a serious challenge to the international community. In line with its unwavering commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes, the State of Qatar initiated intensive mediation efforts in cooperation with the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States of America. Despite the complexities, these efforts led to tangible outcomes, including a ceasefire agreement that improved humanitarian conditions and increased access to aid for civilians in the Gaza Strip, as well as the exchange of hundreds of prisoners and detainees. Mediation efforts are still ongoing to achieve a final ceasefire agreement that would bring an end to the war and its resulting humanitarian catastrophe. She emphasized that Qatar has spared no effort in working with regional and international partners to prevent the further escalation and regional spread of the conflict, while consistently warning of the grave consequences of regional destabilization. Nevertheless, despite repeated international warnings, the Israeli military escalation has persisted, not only in Gaza but also targeting Lebanese, Syrian, and other territories in the region, leading to heightened tensions and threatening the stability of the entire region, culminating in a peak last June. She noted that the escalation on June 23 resulted in a direct missile attack on Qatari territory. However, Qatari air defenses successfully intercepted the missile, preserving the country's territorial integrity. Sheikha Alya further stated that Qatar was among the first countries to warn of the dangers of regional conflict escalation and the consequences of continued Israeli military actions. She reiterated Qatar's call for prioritizing diplomatic solutions, upholding the principles of good neighborliness, and exercising restraint over escalation. She also welcomed the ceasefire reached between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel, expressing hope that both parties would adhere to it and that it would serve as a foundation for meaningful dialogue and diplomacy, paving the way toward sustainable peace and stability. In conclusion, Sheikha Alya reiterated Qatar's emphasis on the need for the Security Council to maintain its commitment to advancing peaceful processes and political solutions to avoid further human suffering and promote global stability. She called on the Council to assume its responsibilities in preventing conflicts and addressing violations of international law by enforcing its resolutions, ensuring respect for international norms, and ending impunity.
Qatar Tribune
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Protecting children's right to education is important: Qatar
QNA New York Qatar has emphasised the importance of promoting and protecting children's right to education, especially in countries affected by conflict, highlighting its leading efforts in this field, which have received international recognition. This came in Qatar's statement delivered by Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, during the UN Security Council's open debate on effective strategies to end and prevent grave violations against children in armed conflict, held at UN headquarters in New York. She referred to Qatar's key partnerships with the United Nations, which reflect the country's commitment to supporting international efforts to protect children affected by armed conflicts. She pointed to Qatar's hosting and support of the Analysis and Outreach Hub of the Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, noting that the centre continues to play a vital role in advancing child protection efforts in conflict areas. She also noted that this year marks the 20th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1612 (2005), which was a landmark step and solid framework for improving the protection of children affected by armed conflict. It led to the creation of a monitoring and reporting mechanism focused on children and armed conflict. She stressed that all commitments must now be translated into concrete actions. Sheikha Alya expressed Qatar's deep concern over the increasing number of grave violations against children, citing the UN Secretary-General's report that said violence against children in armed conflict reached its highest level in 2024, and added that children have borne the brunt of relentless hostilities and indiscriminate attacks. She also strongly condemned the grave violations of international humanitarian law committed by the Israeli occupation against children in the Gaza Strip, calling on the international community to urgently act to compel Israel to comply with international laws, end its brutal war on Gaza immediately, and address the resulting catastrophic humanitarian conditions. She said that it was extremely alarming what the report documented regarding the scale of grave violations against children in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly the widespread use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas, the sharp increase in violations in Gaza, and the escalation of violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The Qatari emphasised that it is absolutely unacceptable for children to remain victims of grave violations in ongoing conflicts, and underscored the importance of ensuring their protection in such areas. Sh expressed her appreciation for Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba, praising her tireless efforts and extensive expertise.
Qatar Tribune
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar affirms support for Afghan people in facing multiple challenges
QNA New York Qatar has reaffirmed its continued support for the Afghan people in facing multiple challenges and its commitment to assisting them on the path toward achieving peace and stability. Qatar also expressed its keenness to continue working with regional and international partners to establish the foundations of peace in Afghanistan and strengthen the elements of development. This came in Qatar's statement delivered by Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani during the United Nations Security Council's Quarterly Briefing on Situation in Afghanistan, held at the UN headquarters in New York. Sheikha Alya emphasised that the humanitarian, economic, and political situations in Afghanistan require enhanced joint efforts to support and assist the Afghan people. She noted that the security and stability of Afghanistan positively impact regional and international security and peace. She pointed out that Qatar took the initiative to establish the Doha peace track for Afghanistan in 2013 in cooperation with international partners, and hosted a series of dialogues as part of a comprehensive political process involving all segments of Afghan society. She added that these efforts culminated in the signing of the Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan between US and Taliban in Doha on February 29, 2020, which the UN Security Council described in its Resolution 2513 as a significant step toward ending the war and opening the door to intra-Afghan negotiations. The Qatari diplomat said that since then, Qatar has continued its contribution by coordinating international efforts and facilitating dialogue between the United Nations, concerned countries, and the Afghan caretaker government, adding that Qatar takes pride in hosting the UN-led Doha Process on Afghanistan, starting with the meetings of the UN Special Envoys on Afghanistan convened by the UN Secretary-General in Doha in May 2023, February 2024, and July 2024, with the aim of reaching a comprehensive approach to facilitating initial international engagement in a more coherent and coordinated manner for the sake of peace and stability in Afghanistan. Sheikha Alya expressed Qatar's aspiration to host the third meeting of the Working Group on Counter-Narcotics and the second meeting of the Working Group on Supporting Afghanistan's Private Sector, both emerging from the UN-led Doha Process on Afghanistan, which will be held in Doha from June 30 to July 1, with the participation of representatives from the Afghan caretaker government, countries involved in the Doha Process, and technical experts. She stressed that Qatar continues its efforts through the Qatar Fund for Development, in cooperation with United Nations entities, to provide humanitarian support to the Afghan people, including food aid, supporting basic healthcare programmes, improving Afghan children's access to education, providing scholarships, supporting programmes to economically empower Afghan women and enhance their resilience to crises, and backing programmes that empower Afghan youth.
Qatar Tribune
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Sheikha Alya, UN officials discuss Qatar-UN cooperation
QNA New York Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani met with Annalena Baerbock, president-elect of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, at the headquarters of the Permanent Mission of Qatar in New York. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed joint priorities for Qatar and the United Nations within the framework of the upcoming General Assembly session. They also discussed ways to enhance cooperation in addressing pressing global challenges. Sheikha Alya reaffirmed Qatar's continued commitment to actively supporting UN initiatives, with the aim of contributing to the success of the 80th session of the General Assembly. For her part, Baerbock expressed appreciation for Qatar's prominent role in supporting United Nations efforts, particularly in promoting international peace and security and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. Sheikha Alya also met with Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The meeting reviewed Qatar's ongoing preparations to host the Second World Summit for Social Development, scheduled to be held from November 4 to 6.
