Media Center

Doha – Information Office – 16 December

HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani announced Sunday that the State of Qatar provided support to the financing of United Nations organizations in the amount of $500 million, based on the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani with the goal of enhancing the strategic partnership between the two sides.

His Excellency noted that the support provided in that regard was a multi-year support for core resources, as Qatar Fund for Development, which signed a number of these agreements today, assumed its responsibility through projects and activities that contribute to realizing the sustainable development goals. His Excellency stressed that the signing of agreements between the State of Qatar and the United Nations stems from the deep and solid relationship between the two sides. His Excellency added that the agreements were also consistent with Qatar's foreign policy and responsibility as an active partner in the international community towards achieving international peace and security, sustainable development, counter-terrorism and other common challenges.

The agreements were signed on the sidelines of the second day of the Doha Forum 2018, In the presence of HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and HE UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

His Excellency said at a press conference following the signing ceremony of the agreements that the State of Qatar was ranked sixth globally and first among Arab countries in terms of contributing to the multi-partner funds for 2017. His Excellency pointed out that the efforts of Doha in this context stem from its firm belief in the importance of enhancing international cooperation to reach the desired goals within the framework of an effective international partnership to enhance this cooperation.

His Excellency congratulated HE UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the success achieved by the organization in reaching an agreement in Sweden as a first stage to achieve peace in Yemen, hoping that peace will be reached in the country.

HE The Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated the importance of the work of the United Nations and the role it plays in easing the suffering of people around the world, in addition to achieving security, peace and sustainable development. His Excellency indicated that continuous cooperation and coordination between states and the United Nations and its various bodies is in the interest of all humanity. His Excellency added that the State of Qatar appreciates that role, and appreciates the efforts of the UN Secretary-General in improving the role of the UN. His Excellency also said that the State of Qatar supports the vision of the Secretary-General and his sustainable development plan for 2030.

In response to a question concerning developments in the GCC crisis, HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani renewed the State of Qatar's welcoming of the Kuwaiti initiative as the hub for all initiatives made by friends. His Excellency added that HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah has made efforts that remain appreciated by the Qatari people.

His Excellency said that the initiative of the Amir of Kuwait did not find a way through yet, because of the behavior of the blockading countries. His Excellency also said that the State of Qatar are open to constructive dialogue based on mutual respect that places a shared vision for the core reason behind the differences they discuss.

His Excellency expressed appreciation of the support shown by the United Nations from the very first moment of Kuwaiti mediation as the most reliable and credible tool to resolve this situation. His Excellency also expressed appreciation to initiatives made by other countries such as the U.S., noting that the State of Qatar has always supported a resolution through dialogue in any conflict.

His Excellency praised the role played by the United Nations and its various institutions in supporting the law in order overcome humanitarian issues, noting that the State of Qatar continues to take all means in international forums to obtain the rights of its people and nothing more.

His Excellency said that the countries of the blockade have launched many accusations that the whole world discovered were lies, as the accusations lacked any evidence. His Excellency added that their rejection of dialogue is the biggest proof that they have no evidence to support their accusations. His Excellency also said that the State of Qatar maintained calm during the blockade, and did not subject the people of those countries what the Qatari people were subjected to by the blockading countries.

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed Doha's pride at hosting a large number of policy makers and intellectuals at the Doha Forum.

For his part, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed appreciation for the important support provided by the State of Qatar to different United Nations agencies.

He added during a joint press conference in the presence of HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani that the agreements mentioned represents a real change in ties between the two sides. He highlighted that some of the agreements will see a number of UN agencies have a permanent stay in Qatar, in addition to multi-year support to some of these agencies. Guterres said that such moves reflects a deep partnership between the two sides.

He pointed out that the State of Qatar also contributes to the development of many humanitarian projects with the United Nations, and plays a central role in the UN's discussions. He added that the State of Qatar supported many thorny issues related to international peace and security. He praised the developmental trends in the State of Qatar and the presence of a number of Qatari institutions that are active and play a pivotal role in development, education, health and other areas that make cooperation between Qatar and the United Nations important.

the UN Secretary-General said that one of the agreements was a multi-year one to support UNRWA, adding that the agreements reflects the commitment to the Palestinian refugees.

on the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Guterres said that he does not have any additional information to the one in the media. He stressed on the importance of having a credible investigation and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

About the UN's resistance to declare famine in Yemen, the Secretary-General of the United Nations stated that the Declaration of Famine is technical in nature and is linked to a number of indicators. He stressed that not declaring a famine does not mean that people are not struggling, insisting that the level of hunger in the country is a high one. He added that the United Nations supports 8 million people in Yemen, noting that the number could rise to 14 million of humanitarian conditions do not improve.

On the sidelines of the 18th Doha Forum, a number of partnership agreements were signed between Qatar and the United Nations to support some of its agencies. This was done in the presence of HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and HE UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

One of those agreements will see the establishment of Doha International Center for Counter-terrorism, an office for the United Nations Developmental Programme, a Doha office for United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, an office for the International Organization for Migration. There will also agreements to provide annual support to UN Developmental Programme, UNICEF, UNRWA, The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Qatar Fund for Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the following agencies: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UN Developmental Programme until 2023, including an agreement for a grant to the UN Developmental Prgoramme to establish development impact labs in 60 developing countries. The State of Qatar is one of the first countries that supported the establishment of those labs.