Qatar Participates in 14th Group of Friends of Mediation Ministerial Meeting

14th ministerial meeting of the UN Group of Friends of Mediation

The State of Qatar participated Thursday in the 14th ministerial meeting of the UN Group of Friends of Mediation, held under the title 'staying the course: strengthening mediation in a changing conflict environment,' on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) in New York.

HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi chaired the State of Qatar's delegation at the meeting.

In his remarks during the meeting, His Excellency said that the State of Qatar's various achievements in the field of mediation have greatly contributed to promoting peace, security, and stability in several regions such as Afghanistan, Lebanon, Sudan, the Horn of Africa, Chad, Venezuela, and Ukraine.

His Excellency stressed that the State of Qatar's ongoing diplomatic efforts in Gaza further demonstrate its steadfast commitment to preventive diplomacy and mediation as the most effective means of resolving conflicts, as set out in the United Nations Charter.

His Excellency indicated that Qatar's long-standing success in mediation is guided by its constitution, which states that Qatar's foreign policy is based on the principle of promoting international peace and security by settling international disputes through peaceful means.

His Excellency noted that demand for Qatari mediation efforts is increasing due to its neutral approach that focuses on the rights of the conflicting parties. He added that Qatar's commitment to addressing post-conflict challenges, such as peacebuilding and state-building, through development and humanitarian efforts, along with its deep understanding of the root causes of conflict and cultural sensitivities, enhances its success in the field of mediation.

His Excellency said that the efforts of the Group of Friends of Mediation, in cooperation with the United Nations, are gaining increasing importance in light of the escalating conflicts and changing geopolitical dynamics that threaten the global order. He noted that the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories has led to an escalation of tensions in Lebanon and across the region, which poses a serious threat to global peace and security, stressing the need to put an end to the bloodshed.

HE the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the State of Qatar has been working, in cooperation with the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States of America, for several months to achieve an immediate and complete ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

His Excellency added that as progress has been made in facilitating humanitarian pauses, it is vital that the violence stops immediately. There is an urgent need to establish a new path to peace that guarantees the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination in line with relevant UN resolutions. This requires the support of our regional and global partners to make effective use of their influence. The UN Security Council must fulfill its responsibilities under the UN Charter, ensuring that its resolutions on the Israeli aggression on Gaza are fully implemented.

His Excellency said that the State of Qatar views the United Nations as an effective international body that acts as both a mediator and an advocate for mediation efforts. He emphasized the State of Qatar's support for the vision of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on sustaining peace, as stated in his report entitled "Our Common Agenda." He added that on top of that, Qatar acknowledges the role played by the Secretary-General in providing good offices, as specified in the Charter of the United Nations.

HE the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed the need for the UN Group of Friends of Mediation to take a more proactive and systematic approach to promoting mediation. He believed that the group needs to establish a comprehensive framework that enhances cooperation between the various actors and clearly defines their roles, and direct coordination between trusted mediators is a key factor in achieving successful results.

His Excellency said that it is important to realize that the increase in conflicts and their evolving nature in the age of artificial intelligence can only be addressed through the commitment of all countries to international law and the United Nations Charter, especially the major powers, without double standards.

Concluding his remarks, HE the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the State of Qatar will continue to cooperate with its international partners to enhance ways to prevent and resolve conflicts, in addition to activating the role of mediation at the global level.

(QNA)