Joint Statement on the Qatar-U.S. Strategic Dialogue
The text of the following statement was released by the
Governments of the State of Qatar and the United States of
America.
Begin Text:
H.E. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh
Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Secretary of State Antony
J. Blinken led the fourth Qatar-U.S. Strategic Dialogue on November
12, 2021 in Washington, DC. A testament to our strong partnership,
this year’s dialogue addressed regional and global issues, and
advanced bilateral cooperation in the areas of health, humanitarian
assistance, international development, labor and human rights,
security cooperation, climate change, trade and investment, culture,
and education. Qatar and the United States signed several accords,
including an Arrangement on the Protection of U.S. Interests in
Afghanistan and an MOU on Cooperation to Host Individuals at Risk
Due to the Situation in Afghanistan.
Regional Cooperation and Global Affairs
Underscoring deep cooperation on regional issues, Qatari and U.S.
officials discussed challenges in Afghanistan and the extraordinary
teamwork between the two countries on the relocation to the United
States, through Qatar, of more than 60,000 U.S. citizens, Lawful
Permanent Residents, Special Immigrant Visa holders and at-risk
Afghans. Both sides discussed political developments in the region,
including in Syria, Yemen, and the Horn of Africa. Qatar and the
United States remain deeply concerned about the West Bank and
Gaza, will continue to work together to improve humanitarian and
economic conditions for all, and discussed the importance of
achieving a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The
United States highlighted Qatar’s bilateral and multilateral
humanitarian assistance efforts, including its collaboration with UN
agencies in the form of a $500 million multi-year assistance pledge to
aid forcibly displaced populations and refugees.
Health Cooperation
Qatar and the United States stand together in support of global public
health security. During the Strategic Dialogue, they discussed
opportunities for technical exchanges and discussed collaboration in
health such as technical exchanges between the Ministry of Public
Health in Qatar and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC). The United States again thanked Qatar for its
generous contributions to fight COVID-19 inside the United States.
Labor and Human Rights Issues
Qatar and the United States recognized recent progress made by Qatar
to combat human trafficking and advance labor rights. The United
States recognized Qatari Ministry of Labor Undersecretary
Mohammed Al-Obaidly, who was recently named by the U.S.
Department of State as a Trafficking in Persons Report Hero. The two
sides discussed professional training and exchange for Qatari
authorities in 2022. Qatar and the United States discussed human
rights and welcomed one another’s election to the Human Rights
Council.
Law Enforcement and Counterterrorism Partnership
The two governments highlighted their strong bilateral security
partnership, including in the areas of law enforcement cooperation,
aviation and border security, countering violent extremism, and
combating terrorism and the financing of terrorism. The governments
noted the importance of continuing to expand information sharing and
law enforcement cooperation. Qatar and the United States highlighted
the successful coordination between our governments in joint
designations of terrorist networks. The United States underlined
Qatar’s commitment in providing $75 million over five years and
implementation of efforts to back the work of the UN Office of
Counter-Terrorism.
FIFA Men’s World Cup 2022
As Qatar prepares to host the FIFA Men’s World Cup in 2022, Qatar
and the United States committed to expanding close interagency
cooperation to ensure a safe and successful tournament. The two sides
discussed cybersecurity, law enforcement training, public relations,
human rights, and a carbon neutral World Cup. The United States
welcomed the opportunity to consult with Qatar in advance of the
2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup in North America.
Economic and Commercial Cooperation
Qatar and the United States discussed opportunities to increase two-way
investment and advance economic relations in the fields of
innovation, technology, and clean energy. Both sides also explored
programs to support women’s economic empowerment and support
for young entrepreneurs.
Climate Change and Energy
As major energy producers, both countries reiterated their joint
commitment to strengthen global climate action. They agreed to work
across the region to promote energy access and support clean energy
transition. Qatar and the United States reaffirmed their mutual efforts
to support access to affordable, dependable, and clean energy, and
highlighted their recent decisions to join with other global oil and gas
producers in establishing the Net-Zero Producers Forum.
Education and Cultural Cooperation
The two governments underscored the importance of deepening
people-to-people ties to promote tolerance and diversity, and agreed to
expand professional and research-led academic exchanges. They
welcomed continued coordination as the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of
Culture concludes in December.
Military and Security Partnership
The two governments reaffirmed the commitment made in the 2018
Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation to promote peace and
stability, to counter terrorism, and to grow the enduring Qatar-U.S.
defense partnership. The U.S. delegation expressed appreciation for
Qatar’s generous hosting of U.S. forces, cooperation on Afghanistan
operations, and efforts to upgrade critical facilities and infrastructure
at Al Udeid Air Base to meet current and future challenges. The
delegations discussed the robust Foreign Military Sales relationship,
which continues to increase the capability, capacity, and
interoperability of the Qatar Armed Forces.
Forward Together
Qatar and the United States remain mutually invested in continuous
dialogue, partnership, and long-term cooperation. The two sides
welcomed the opportunity to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and
Qatar in 2022. As a first step, the United States unveiled drawings of
the new U.S. embassy compound, which will be built in the coming
years in Doha. Qatar and the United States look forward to reviewing
progress and exploring new areas of cooperation at the next Policy
Working Group meeting in spring 2022.
Governments of the State of Qatar and the United States of
America.
Begin Text:
H.E. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh
Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Secretary of State Antony
J. Blinken led the fourth Qatar-U.S. Strategic Dialogue on November
12, 2021 in Washington, DC. A testament to our strong partnership,
this year’s dialogue addressed regional and global issues, and
advanced bilateral cooperation in the areas of health, humanitarian
assistance, international development, labor and human rights,
security cooperation, climate change, trade and investment, culture,
and education. Qatar and the United States signed several accords,
including an Arrangement on the Protection of U.S. Interests in
Afghanistan and an MOU on Cooperation to Host Individuals at Risk
Due to the Situation in Afghanistan.
Regional Cooperation and Global Affairs
Underscoring deep cooperation on regional issues, Qatari and U.S.
officials discussed challenges in Afghanistan and the extraordinary
teamwork between the two countries on the relocation to the United
States, through Qatar, of more than 60,000 U.S. citizens, Lawful
Permanent Residents, Special Immigrant Visa holders and at-risk
Afghans. Both sides discussed political developments in the region,
including in Syria, Yemen, and the Horn of Africa. Qatar and the
United States remain deeply concerned about the West Bank and
Gaza, will continue to work together to improve humanitarian and
economic conditions for all, and discussed the importance of
achieving a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The
United States highlighted Qatar’s bilateral and multilateral
humanitarian assistance efforts, including its collaboration with UN
agencies in the form of a $500 million multi-year assistance pledge to
aid forcibly displaced populations and refugees.
Health Cooperation
Qatar and the United States stand together in support of global public
health security. During the Strategic Dialogue, they discussed
opportunities for technical exchanges and discussed collaboration in
health such as technical exchanges between the Ministry of Public
Health in Qatar and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC). The United States again thanked Qatar for its
generous contributions to fight COVID-19 inside the United States.
Labor and Human Rights Issues
Qatar and the United States recognized recent progress made by Qatar
to combat human trafficking and advance labor rights. The United
States recognized Qatari Ministry of Labor Undersecretary
Mohammed Al-Obaidly, who was recently named by the U.S.
Department of State as a Trafficking in Persons Report Hero. The two
sides discussed professional training and exchange for Qatari
authorities in 2022. Qatar and the United States discussed human
rights and welcomed one another’s election to the Human Rights
Council.
Law Enforcement and Counterterrorism Partnership
The two governments highlighted their strong bilateral security
partnership, including in the areas of law enforcement cooperation,
aviation and border security, countering violent extremism, and
combating terrorism and the financing of terrorism. The governments
noted the importance of continuing to expand information sharing and
law enforcement cooperation. Qatar and the United States highlighted
the successful coordination between our governments in joint
designations of terrorist networks. The United States underlined
Qatar’s commitment in providing $75 million over five years and
implementation of efforts to back the work of the UN Office of
Counter-Terrorism.
FIFA Men’s World Cup 2022
As Qatar prepares to host the FIFA Men’s World Cup in 2022, Qatar
and the United States committed to expanding close interagency
cooperation to ensure a safe and successful tournament. The two sides
discussed cybersecurity, law enforcement training, public relations,
human rights, and a carbon neutral World Cup. The United States
welcomed the opportunity to consult with Qatar in advance of the
2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup in North America.
Economic and Commercial Cooperation
Qatar and the United States discussed opportunities to increase two-way
investment and advance economic relations in the fields of
innovation, technology, and clean energy. Both sides also explored
programs to support women’s economic empowerment and support
for young entrepreneurs.
Climate Change and Energy
As major energy producers, both countries reiterated their joint
commitment to strengthen global climate action. They agreed to work
across the region to promote energy access and support clean energy
transition. Qatar and the United States reaffirmed their mutual efforts
to support access to affordable, dependable, and clean energy, and
highlighted their recent decisions to join with other global oil and gas
producers in establishing the Net-Zero Producers Forum.
Education and Cultural Cooperation
The two governments underscored the importance of deepening
people-to-people ties to promote tolerance and diversity, and agreed to
expand professional and research-led academic exchanges. They
welcomed continued coordination as the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of
Culture concludes in December.
Military and Security Partnership
The two governments reaffirmed the commitment made in the 2018
Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation to promote peace and
stability, to counter terrorism, and to grow the enduring Qatar-U.S.
defense partnership. The U.S. delegation expressed appreciation for
Qatar’s generous hosting of U.S. forces, cooperation on Afghanistan
operations, and efforts to upgrade critical facilities and infrastructure
at Al Udeid Air Base to meet current and future challenges. The
delegations discussed the robust Foreign Military Sales relationship,
which continues to increase the capability, capacity, and
interoperability of the Qatar Armed Forces.
Forward Together
Qatar and the United States remain mutually invested in continuous
dialogue, partnership, and long-term cooperation. The two sides
welcomed the opportunity to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and
Qatar in 2022. As a first step, the United States unveiled drawings of
the new U.S. embassy compound, which will be built in the coming
years in Doha. Qatar and the United States look forward to reviewing
progress and exploring new areas of cooperation at the next Policy
Working Group meeting in spring 2022.