Qatar Advocates for Global Reform at Partnerships Conference in London

Qatar recently engaged in the Global Partnerships Conference in London, which was co-hosted by the United Kingdom and South Africa.

Representing Qatar, Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation, attended the event alongside numerous officials, ministers, and leaders from humanitarian organizations globally.

In her keynote address, Al Misnad contributed to the opening panel discussion led by Nemat Shafik, concentrating on establishing systems that address the challenges of the 21st century.

The discussion revolved around two core themes: the evolving political and development landscape and the inadequacy of the current international cooperation framework to manage escalating crises, alongside the necessary reforms for the upcoming decade.

Al Misnad underscored Qatar's dedication to aiding least developed nations, emphasizing that humanitarian efforts and development support form the backbone of Qatar's foreign policy. She cited Qatar's financial commitment of USD 60 million towards development projects in vulnerable countries.

She also noted that Qatar dealt with three significant crises this year alone, which included mediating for a Gaza ceasefire, facilitating family reunifications for Ukrainian children, and providing support through the Qatar Fund for Development to over 70 countries facing food, climate, and financial challenges.

According to Al Misnad, the current international system is compromised due to the separation of humanitarian efforts, development, and peacebuilding. She advocated for the involvement of Gulf and Arab development funds and sovereign wealth sources in sustaining global support systems.

She mentioned that in 2024, Qatar provided USD 4.8 billion in aid to least developed countries, urging for quicker realization of funding promises made at the Second Doha World Summit for Social Development.

The minister outlined a future-oriented roadmap focusing on several key areas, such as transitioning from disjointed donor funding to national management by recipient nations to spearhead their coordination and implementing the Doha Action Plan.

Al Misnad emphasized the necessity of investing in social protection and nurturing human capital development, highlighting the achievements of the Education Above All Foundation, which has enrolled over 16 million children in educational programs across 60 countries.

She reiterated the importance of strengthening humanitarian mediation and ensuring access to support development investments. Al Misnad spotlighted Qatar's efforts in mediation across Gaza, Afghanistan, and Colombia, introducing the "Humanitarian Diplomacy Initiative" under Qatar's Third National Development Strategy.

Concluding her address, Al Misnad reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to being an active global partner in enhancing humanitarian support, development cooperation, and international reform initiatives.