Qatar has been a member of the United Nations since 1971 and it was one of the first countries to ratify the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1996. The country values its strategic partnership with the United Nations and has always worked towards achieving its goals, including maintaining international peace and security, supporting international development, promoting human rights, providing humanitarian assistance, and participating in collective action to address existing and emerging challenges facing the world. Qatar has consistently provided financial contributions to various UN bodies and entities, supporting development projects and humanitarian aid initiatives worldwide. Qatar and UN signed several agreements on the sidelines of the 2018 Doha Forum. The agreements included a $500m pledge to UN programmes and the establishment of four new UN offices in Doha. The agreement pledged annual support to the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Children’s Fund (Unicef), the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Qatar’s support for countries experiencing economic crises extends beyond financial aid to include rights-based advocacy and assistance. The Permanent Mission of Qatar to the United Nations recently hosted three high-level strategic dialogues at its premises in New York, bringing together representatives from Qatar and key United Nations agencies. These dialogues underscore Qatar’s commitment to deepening its partnership with the United Nations, expanding avenues for cooperation in humanitarian efforts, sustainable development, and crisis response worldwide. Qatar and Unicef have signed a supplementary agreement to the basic agreement between Qatar and the Unicef. The signing of the supplementary agreement marks a new phase of cooperation between Qatar and Unicef, and highlights Qatar’s leading role in supporting humanitarian and developmental issues globally. Qatar and the United Nations have also signed a supplementary agreement to support the Analysis and Communication Centre of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, established in Doha in December 2019. The collaboration shows Qatar’s dedication to promoting international peace and security through partnerships with the United Nations. Besides, Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and GiveDirectly signed a grant agreement worth $5m to support families living in extreme poverty in Rwanda for one year. Through the funding provided by QFFD, GiveDirectly, in cooperation with the Rwandan government, will distribute cash grants of up to $1,100 to 3,979 families living in extreme poverty. The agreement represents an important step towards achieving sustainable development in Rwanda and underscores the commitment of the QFFD and its partners to supporting the most vulnerable groups.
