*Doha pledges $500mn for UN agencies
Qatar has signed a host of partnerships with the United Nations (UN) on the sidelines of the Doha Forum in order to strengthen cooperation between the world body and the Gulf state, including the establishment of four new UN offices in the country.
The UN and Qatar signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Sunday, endorsing cooperation between both parties, which includes the establishment of a Junior Professional Programme and a multi-year non-earmarked contribution of $500mn to fund UN agencies.
Doha also signed an agreement with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and an agreement with the UN Office for Counter-Terrorism.
The four new UN offices to be opened in Qatar are for the UNICEF, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The agreements were signed by Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary-general, on the sidelines of the Doha Forum.
Lolwah AlKhater, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the agreements signed underscore Qatar's strong relationship with the United Nations.
"Qatar strongly believes in the power of multilateralism to advance agenda that serves all of humanity without discrimination against any sect. The UN through its incredible work embodies that multilateralism, and we are proud to be contributing to its success," said AlKhater.
Noha Aboueldahab, visiting fellow at Brookings Doha Center, told Al Jazeera the moves were significant given the multiple humanitarian crises in the region.
"Increased UN presence in Qatar is a very positive development so it can formalise some of these processes and hopefully streamline them and make them effective," Aboueldahab said.-Al Jazeera News
