Qatar Advocates for Global Reform at Partnerships Summit in London

The State of Qatar engaged actively in the Global Partnerships Conference held in London, co-hosted by the United Kingdom and South Africa.

Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, Qatar's Minister of State for International Cooperation, represented the nation. The conference attracted high-ranking officials, ministers, and leaders from humanitarian and development sectors across various countries.

Al Misnad served as a keynote speaker during the opening panel, which was moderated by Nemat Shafik. The discussion addressed strategies for tackling the challenges of the 21st century.

The panel covered two critical themes: the significant political and developmental shifts occurring globally that have rendered existing international cooperation structures inadequate, and the necessary reforms for the forthcoming decade to enhance the international framework.

In her address, Al Misnad emphasized Qatar’s dedication to aiding least developed nations, asserting that humanitarianism and development are central to its foreign policy. She mentioned Qatar's substantial financial investments, which include a USD 60 million grant aimed at bolstering capacity-building initiatives in vulnerable regions.

Al Misnad outlined three major crises tackled by Qatar within a single year: efforts to mediate a ceasefire in Gaza, initiatives to reunite Ukrainian children with their families, and contributions from the Qatar Fund for Development to over 70 countries confronting food, climate, and debt challenges.

She remarked that humanitarian efforts, development strategies, and peacebuilding have been treated too separately, causing weaknesses in the current international architecture. Increased roles for Gulf and Arab development funds, sovereign wealth management, and regional mediators are becoming vital in upholding global support systems.

Al Misnad highlighted that Qatar has pledged USD 4.8 billion in foreign aid to least developed countries in 2024 and urged quicker execution of financial pledges made at the Second Doha World Summit for Social Development.

The minister proposed a roadmap emphasizing core priorities such as transitioning from fragmented donor funding to national platforms managed by recipient nations, empowering them to spearhead their coordination efforts, and executing the Doha Action Plan.

She also stressed the need for social protection investments and the development of human capital. Notably, the Education Above All Foundation has helped enroll over 16 million children in educational initiatives across 60 nations.

Furthermore, she accentuated the importance of enhancing humanitarian mediation and ensuring access to support subsequent development investments, spotlighting Qatar's mediation engagements in Gaza, Afghanistan, and Colombia, and the introduction of the "Humanitarian Diplomacy Initiative" as part of Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy.

In conclusion, Al Misnad reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to being a proactive global partner in promoting humanitarian aid, developmental cooperation, and reform efforts on the international stage.