tag

Qatar participated in the high-level ministerial meeting launching the Global Autism Alliance, held at the UN headquarters in New York on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.Qatar was represented at the meeting by HE the Minister of Public Health Mansour bin Ibrahim al-Mahmoud and HE the Minister of Social Development and Family Buthaina bint Ali al-Jabr al-Nuaimi.The meeting announced the establishment of the alliance as an international platform aimed at fostering understanding, coordinating efforts, and expanding global initiatives to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families.In his opening remarks, HE the Minister of Public Health emphasised the importance of launching the Global Autism Alliance to strengthen joint efforts for sustainable improvement and to provide necessary support to individuals with autism and their families worldwide. He underlined that Qatar attaches great importance to health as a means to achieve a more just, secure, and humane world, and that autism remains a key priority in both public health and social development.He noted that in 2017 Qatar launched its first National Autism Plan, a comprehensive strategy covering awareness, early diagnosis, medical intervention, inclusive education, and lifelong support. He added that the plan is reinforced by large-scale awareness campaigns and strong partnerships with families and communities.He also said that Qatar’s integrated, rights-based approach demonstrates a firm commitment to ensuring that every individual with autism can reach their potential and actively contribute to society.For her part, HE the Minister of Social Development and Family reaffirmed Qatar’s ongoing commitment to promoting social inclusion and achieving health, education, and social equity for individuals with autism. She stressed that this commitment stems from Qatar National Vision 2030 and the country’s comprehensive, rights-based approach to supporting the most vulnerable. She also praised international partnerships that strengthen this initiative.She highlighted that the initiative reflects the vision of Chairperson of Qatar Foundation Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who played a pivotal role in advancing dignity and inclusivity for people with autism and in helping the UN General Assembly adopt Resolution 62/139 in December 2007, which designated April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day.Al-Nuaimi further explained that the Global Autism Alliance is an important step toward advancing international co-operation and knowledge-sharing through research and innovation, with the aim of increasing the impact of global efforts. She stressed the importance of making innovation central to the initiative, particularly in reimagining social systems, supporting families, and fostering community participation to ensure equal opportunities for all.She noted that the alliance represents a qualitative leap in co-ordinated international efforts to raise awareness about autism and improve services provided to individuals with autism, through collaboration among governments, international organisations, civil society, and the private sector.The event was organised in partnership with Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, the World Health Organisation, Unicef, and Autism Speaks.As part of its commitment to supporting children with autism, Qatar continues its efforts under the Qatar Foundation Strategy 2025-2035, which provides comprehensive support in education, health, and innovation, while strengthening social inclusion. These efforts include early intervention programs offering therapeutic and rehabilitation sessions for children aged 3 to 14, as well as autism-friendly hospitals such as Sidra Medicine, which provides suitable medical environments for children during treatment. Qatar also continues to raise awareness through World Autism Day activities and focuses on inclusive education by integrating specialised programmes for children with autism into both public and private schools.

King Felipe VI of Spain has called for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the delivery of humanitarian aid, stressing that there should be no longer silence over the killing and starvation in the enclave. There must be no glossing over the systematic destruction of schools and hospitals, the killing of civilians, and the deliberate infliction of starvation in Gaza, he stressed, addressing the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. He described what is unfolding in the Gaza Strip as a matter that shocks human conscience and constitutes a profound disgrace to the international community, while calling upon the Israeli entity to immediately cease all acts of killing. King Felipe further noted that the international community must assume its responsibility to achieve peace through the two-state solution, averring that the recognition of a Palestinian state should help establish peace and regional stability in the region. He expressed his pushback on the rising voices that claim the end of multilateralism and that the UN has become defanged, calling upon all to recall the circumstances surrounding the establishment of the UN in the aftermath of WWII, and the grim chapter humanity endured during that era. In addition, the King underscored the utmost importance of cooperation and multilateralism to confront the current epochal challenges, stressing that the UN has become instrumental, cannot be dispensed with, and that no alternative can be found for it. He expressed his deep concern over the erosion of democracy and the growing departure from the fundamental values that underpin peaceful coexistence among all peoples, affirming his country's unwavering commitment to continue supporting efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in accordance with the principles of international law. The high-level week of the UN General Assembly continues in full swing, with today featuring remarks from additional heads of state and government during the general debate, a high-level meeting on the situation of Palestinian children, the climate summit, a Security Council meeting on artificial intelligence, and other high-stakes events and dialogues.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised Qatari-US efforts to bring peace to several African countries, expressing Turkiye's concern over the ongoing conflict in Sudan and stressing that peace efforts there fall on the international community.In his speech before the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Erdogan addressed the Palestinian issue, stressing that the ongoing genocide in Gaza requires immediate action from the international community.He emphasized the need for a ceasefire and holding perpetrators of crimes accountable under international law. He said that anyone who remains silent about what is happening in Gaza is complicit in genocide.He added that the Israeli entity deliberately killed journalists and closed the crossings, and that children were being killed and forced to starve. He said that Gaza had become an uninhabitable place, and that its destruction was justified solely by the Hamas movement.He questioned why Israel was targeting the West Bank despite the absence of Hamas there, and described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as indifferent to peace and securing the release of hostages.The Turkish president noted his country's continued support for a unified, secure, and stable Syria, working to bring peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, resolving the dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia, and hosting negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to stop the war, which has no winner.He emphasized that the stability and security of Iraq are of paramount importance to ensuring the well-being of the region, and called for addressing the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomacy to avoid new crises.He emphasized that the world is larger than just five countries, calling for reforming the Security Council system to make it more just and promoting a culture of coexistence in the face of racism and Islamophobia.The Turkish President emphasized the importance of harnessing artificial intelligence to assist countries, not to oppress them, and working to reduce polluting emissions to zero in line with the global trend.

President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Annalena Baerbock said that thousands of orphans in Gaza are hovering among the rubble and debris, eating sand and drinking polluted water.She added that in the face of the tragedies of the women of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Rohingya children, and others, we cannot celebrate and must question the role of the United Nations.In her address to the annual General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly's 80th session, currently being held in New York, Baerbock added that UN bodies must do the right thing to prevent evil from triumphing in the world.She said that true leadership should not mean imposing one's will on others, as helping others makes our countries stronger. She asked, when the principles of the UN Charter are ignored, has the UN failed The Charter has not failed. The UN as an institution has not failed. The strength of the Charter is only achieved by the willingness of member states to abide by it.She added that our future as an institution will also be shaped by the selection of the next UN Secretary-General.She said that here we must pause and reflect. In nearly eighty years, this organization has never chosen a woman for this position. One might ask: How could not a single woman be found among the four billion potential candidates Of course, the choice lies with the member states.She pointed out that this process is not only about equal representation, but also about the credibility of this organization.Baerbock emphasized that reform must come from all the world's capitals, not just from New York, home to the United Nations. She noted that the planet is now globalized and subject to digitization, and that we must come together for dialogue to address the most difficult problems.She indicated that the world stands at a crossroads, and all countries must rise to the occasion, emphasizing that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without sustainable development.Baerbock concluded her remarks by saying that just as we were 80 years ago, we stand at a crossroads. It is up to us, every Member State, to live up to the leadership shown by our predecessors. To act when action is necessary, to show people around the world that the United Nations is here, today, tomorrow, and for the next 80 years.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva warned Tuesday that "anti-democratic forces" were seeking to subjugate institutions after he was targeted by an alleged coup plot orchestrated by his predecessor.Former president Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years imprisonment earlier this month for his role in a botched coup bid after his 2022 election loss to leftist Lula.US President Donald Trump, who was to speak after Lula, has viciously attacked Brazil for pursuing far-right Bolsonaro and his son, ramping up economic sanctions and visa bans in retaliation."Throughout the world, anti-democratic forces are trying to subjugate institutions and stifle freedoms," he said at the UN's signature diplomatic week.Trump has heaped pressure on Brazil over what he termed a "witch hunt" against his longtime ally, imposing a 50 percent tariff in July on a variety of Brazilian products that took effect last month."Brazil sent a message to all aspiring autocrats and those who support them -- our democracy, our sovereignty, are non-negotiable," Lula told the UN General Assembly just before Trump addressed the assembly.Brazil's chief prosecutor charged Eduardo Bolsonaro on Monday over his lobbying for US sanctions in a bid to sway the outcome of the coup trial against his father.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week vowed further action to pressure Brazil over the conviction.On Monday, the Treasury Department announced it was freezing the assets and visa of Moraes's wife Viviane Barci de Moraes and Lex, a firm linked to the family.Rubio accused de Moraes of acting to "weaponize courts, authorize arbitrary pre-trial detentions, and suppress freedom of expression."The Brazilian government previously condemned an "undue interference in Brazilian internal affairs," saying the measures had been justified by "falsehoods.""Brazil will not bow to this further aggression."De Moraes said the sanctions against his wife were "illegal and deplorable."Also on Monday, Attorney General Jorge Messias said he had been the target of "unjust aggression," responding to media reports his US visa had been revoked.Messias said the latest measures "exacerbate an unreasonable set of unilateral actions, completely incompatible with the peaceful and harmonious conduct of diplomatic and economic relations built over 200 years between the two countries."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and continued efforts toward a two-state solution, which is the only viable solution to peace in the Middle East.In his address at the start of the High-Level General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly's 80th session, he stressed that the horrors in Gaza are approaching their third year, and the scale of death and destruction exceeds any other conflict. He noted that famine has been declared in Gaza despite the International Court of Justice's declaration of measures, and that these measures must be implemented immediately.He also stressed that nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people and the systematic destruction of their livelihood.The UN Secretary-General said that the scale of death and destruction in Gaza exceeds any other conflict he has witnessed during his tenure as Secretary-General of the United Nations, emphasizing the need to implement the legally binding provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice in the case: "Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip."He also warned that civilians in Sudan are being killed, starved, and silenced, and that women and girls are facing unspeakable violence, emphasizing that there is no military solution to the conflict.In this context, he urged all parties to end the foreign support that fuels the bloodshed in Sudan and to press for the protection of civilians.On the other hand, Guterres said that the principles of the United Nations are under siege, the pillars of peace and progress are crumbling, and that without effective multilateral institutions, the world will descend into chaos.Referring to the organization's creation after World War II, he said that 80 years ago, world leaders chose cooperation over chaos, law over lawlessness, and peace over conflict, and that this choice resulted in the birth of the United Nations.He added that the United Nations is not just a meeting place, but a moral compass, a force for peace and its preservation, a protector of international law, a catalyst for sustainable development, a lifeline for people in crises, and a beacon for human rights.The UN Secretary-General also addressed the current challenges, questioning the nature of the world we will choose, and indicating that the world is becoming increasingly multipolar. This may be a positive thing, reflecting a more diverse international arena, but multipolarity without effective multilateral institutions leads to chaos.The UN Secretary-General urged UN Member States to make five choices: peace rooted in international law, human dignity and human rights, climate justice, technology at the service of humanity, and strengthening the United Nations for the 21st century.The UN Secretary-General stressed that peace is our first commitment, adding that impunity is the mother of chaos.

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi met with Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The two sides reviewed ways to strengthen the strategic partnership and enhance relations between the GCC and Lebanon across various fields serve common interests.Talks also addressed recent positive developments in Lebanon aimed at achieving greater prosperity and security for its people, as well as the latest regional and international developments.The GCC Secretary-General reaffirmed the GCC's firm positions on Lebanon, including its continued support for the country's sovereignty, security, and stability, and its backing for the reform process and state-building efforts.Albudaiwi further underscored the importance of implementing UN Security Council resolutions on Lebanon, particularly Resolution 1701, as well as the Taif Agreement. He stressed that these steps are essential to restoring lasting security and stability, safeguarding Lebanon's territorial integrity and political independence, and ensuring the extension of state authority over all Lebanese territories.

The State of Qatar has signed the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, which has been endorsed by more than 100 countries, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) in New York.The declaration was signed on behalf of the State of Qatar by Her Excellency Minister of State for International Cooperation Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad.The declaration aims to strengthen adherence to international humanitarian law and to provide greater protection for humanitarian personnel working in conflict zones worldwide.

His Excellency President of the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and former High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Nasr, affirmed that the State of Qatar plays an active role and has become a key player in peace and development within the United Nations system.His Excellency noted that the speeches of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani before the General Assembly were comprehensive and expressed clear positions that reflect Qatar's commitment to peace and the strengthening of international cooperation, underscoring its active presence in various global issues.In remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE Al Nasr explained that His Highness the Amir's speeches focused on three main messages in light of current international challenges, particularly the escalation of conflicts, the worsening impacts of climate change, and ongoing food and health security crises.The first message, he said, was a call for calm, preventive diplomacy, and the rejection of the logic of force in resolving disputes -- especially in volatile regions and countries experiencing wars and conflicts.HE Al Nasr added that His Highness the Amir consistently reiterates Qatar's firm position on the need to halt ongoing violations against the Palestinian people, support their just rights and aspirations, and reject all forms of occupation, particularly in the Gaza Strip. He stressed the importance of returning to the 1967 United Nations resolutions, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.In this regard, His Excellency emphasized that the continued occupation and bloodshed require urgent international action, pointing out that His Highness the Amir's speeches consistently call for halting Israeli violations, rejecting attempts to impose a fait accompli, ending the siege, stopping aggressive operations, and halting settlement expansion.HE Al Nasr said that the second message centered on the importance of multilateral action and strengthening the role of the United Nations as a unifying platform for achieving peace and sustainable development, at a time of mounting challenges and an urgent need to activate the role of the international organization.The third message, he noted, highlighted Qatar's commitment to the issues of the developing world, particularly in supporting development efforts, education, and youth empowerment. These priorities, he said, are areas where Qatar has demonstrated active engagement through pioneering national initiatives and institutions.The UNGA 66 President commended Qatar's distinguished position within the UN system, noting that its presidency of the 76th Session and assumption of numerous responsibilities as a permanent member of the organization reflect the country's remarkable development in recent years and its emergence as a key player in peace, security, and sustainable development.He further pointed out that Qatar's hosting of major international conferences and its humanitarian and diplomatic initiatives have strengthened its image as an influential and responsible state, regionally and globally, and contributed effectively to advancing the purposes of the UN Charter.On UN reform, His Excellency Al Nasr stressed that it has become an urgent necessity, particularly with regard to the Security Council and other responsibilities of the international organization. He considered Qatar well-placed to contribute to this process by supporting negotiating tracks for reform to make the Council more representative and just, while encouraging greater participation of developing countries in UN decision-making. He also highlighted Qatar's support for innovative partnerships between the UN, the private sector, and think tanks, within the framework of initiatives spearheaded by institutions such as Silatech, Education Above All, and Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.Concluding his remarks to QNA, HE Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Nasr expressed pride in Qatar's growing role in the international system, voicing hope that its participation in the upcoming session of the UN General Assembly would continue the path of excellence and leadership it has pursued at both regional and international levels.

The Arab League today welcomed the overwhelming adoption by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) of a draft resolution endorsing the 'New York Declaration', issued last July, which supports the implementation of the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. In a statement, Secretary-General of the League Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the strong majority in favor of the resolution reflects a growing international consensus on the urgent need to implement the two-state solution, adding that countries which chose not to support the resolution are placing themselves on the wrong side of history. He added that the General Assembly's adoption of the resolution reinforces the outcomes of the recent conference focused on the two-state solution, and significantly contributes to building international momentum - particularly as several countries prepare to formally recognize the State of Palestine in the coming days, coinciding with the high-level summit on September 22.