The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held a special session to pay tribute to the memory of HH the Late Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The session was chaired by the President of the 81st session of the General Assembly Khalilur Rahman in the presence of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani.
The session was attended by the heads of the regional groups, including the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, speaking on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council group; the Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman Omar to the United Nations Said Al Kathiri, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group; the Permanent Representative of Republic of Turkiye Ahmet Yildiz, speaking on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation group; and a representative of the Republic of Uganda, speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.
At the opening of the session, the President of the General Assembly delivered an opening statement in which he expressed his sincere condolences to the State of Qatar, its leadership, government, and people. He noted that the 18-year reign of the Father Amir witnessed major economic, social, and cultural transformation in the country, with a strong focus on education, science, knowledge, and human development.
He also noted that the Qatari people would remember the late Amir for his role in advancing women's political participation, including expanding their right to vote and stand for election.
He added that the Father Amir will be remembered above all for his steadfast emphasis on mediation rather than confrontation, and dialogue rather than division. His legacy, he said, was rooted in development grounded in human dignity and was reflected in the State of Qatar's contributions to diplomatic and peace efforts in the Middle East and beyond.
For his part, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said HH the Father Amir's "leadership laid the foundations for the country's long-term prosperity and global standing - enabling Qatar to emerge as a global actor in diplomacy, mediation, education, energy and media."
He stressed that the impact of the Father Amir extended far beyond the borders of Qatar, explaining that His Highness recognized that the country's influence could not be measured solely by its economic achievements, but also by its contributions to peace and dialogue. Under his leadership, Qatar became a trusted partner in mediation and diplomacy, creating opportunities for dialogue and settlement. Its humanitarian footprint also expanded across the region and beyond, strengthening its role as a constructive partner in regional and international affairs, Guterres added.
He noted that the United Nations values its longstanding partnership with the State of Qatar and its support for humanitarian efforts, mediation initiatives, and multilateral action in the service of peace and human dignity.
For her part, HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani affirmed that the broad participation in the session commemorating the Father Amir’s memory reflects the high regard in which he is held by the international community.
She pointed out that with the passing of the Father Amir, the State of Qatar had lost an exceptional leader and the architect of its modern renaissance. During his reign from 1995-2013, he laid the foundations of a modern state through strong institutions and a forward-looking, people-centered vision, investing in human capital and emphasizing education and scientific research as fundamental pillars of the country’s development project.
She explained that the Father Amir opened broad horizons for Qatari women. During his reign, women gained the right to vote and stand for election and assumed senior leadership positions. He also placed particular emphasis on supporting young people, believing that they are the pillars of the present and the makers of the future.
She explained that the Father Amir's vision was not limited to domestic affairs. He established Qatar as a leading country in mediation and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Under his guidance, the Permanent Constitution stipulated that the country's foreign policy should be based on encouraging the peaceful settlement of disputes. Mediation thus became an established approach and an integral part of Qatari diplomacy. She cited the Doha Agreement between the Lebanese parties, the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur, the mediation between Djibouti and Eritrea, Qatar's sponsorship of Palestinian reconciliation efforts, and other good offices that built bridges of dialogue between parties across continents.
She affirmed that the approach of peace and nation-building established by the Father Amir remains a guiding light for the State, and that this journey continues under the wise leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
The Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations Jamal Fares Alrowaiei also delivered a statement on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council group, noting that the Father Amir devoted his life to serving the State of Qatar and its people, and that through his leadership and vision, he contributed to the country’s modern renaissance and enhanced its regional and international standing.
He highlighted the Father Amir's belief in people, education, development, and institution-building, as well as his commitment to dialogue and international cooperation and his support for efforts to promote security, peace, development, and stability. He also underscored his pioneering role in supporting the GCC’s progress, joint action, and regional coordination.
The Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman delivered a statement on behalf of the Arab Group, extending condolences to HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and to the government and people of the State of Qatar. He noted that the passing of the Father Amir represents a loss not only for Qatar but also for the Arab and Islamic nations and the international community. He described him as an exceptional leader and a symbol of reform and wisdom, stressing that his legacy will endure for generations.
The Permanent Representative of the Republic of Turkiye delivered a statement on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, describing the Father Amir as one of Qatar's historic leaders and the architect of its modern renaissance. He said that the Father Amir led a broad transformation in education, healthcare, infrastructure, culture, media, science, and the economy. He highlighted his support for joint Islamic action and solidarity among the organization's members, as well as his defense of the interests of the Islamic Ummah and its just causes.
He also referred to Qatar's hosting, under the leadership of the Father Amir, of the Ninth Islamic Summit Conference in Doha in November 2000, and its efforts to formulate a unified Islamic position on the challenges facing the Ummah. He emphasized the Father Amir's continued defense of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and his concern for the Holy City of Jerusalem, its Arab and Islamic identity, and its holy sites, in addition to his humanitarian and development assistance to the Palestinians, including in the Gaza Strip.
For its part, the Republic of Uganda, in a statement on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, affirmed that the Father Amir left an important and enduring legacy. His leadership contributed to building a modern state, strengthening its institutions, and advancing education, healthcare, culture, and economic and social development. During his reign, the State of Qatar strengthened its regional and international standing and its active role in peace, development, and international cooperation. Uganda described him as a respected statesman who believed in dialogue, mediation, and the peaceful settlement of disputes, and who established Qatar as a recognized platform for dialogue and reconciliation.
The session was attended by a large number of senior United Nations officials, representatives of member states, heads of regional groups, as well as a number of ambassadors and senior diplomats. The broad participation reflected the high regard in which the Father Amir was held and the enduring legacy he left at both the regional and international levels.