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His Excellency Chairman of the Internal and External Affairs Committee of the Shura Council Yousef bin Ali Al Khater praised the distinguished relations and growing partnerships that bind the State of Qatar to the countries of the African continent, based on mutual respect and convergence of interests in the economic, political, labor and other fields.In a special statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), His Excellency explained, on the occasion of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's visit to the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, that the African tour reflects His Highness’ vision of strengthening relations with countries of the continent and enhancing the presence of the State of Qatar in Africa as a reliable partner that contributes to development, peace and stability.His Excellency pointed out that Qatari-Rwandan relations have witnessed significant development over the past years, including in the fields of education, innovation and modern technologies. He stressed that the close cooperation between Doha and Kigali embodies a model of relations based on partnership and mutual interests.Regarding the Democratic Republic of Congo, HE Chairman of the Internal and External Affairs Committee of the Shura Council explained that relations between the two countries are witnessing increasing growth in light of the Qatari leadership’s interest in strengthening cooperation with African countries rich in natural resources in order to achieve sustainable development and enhance economic and humanitarian cooperation.His Excellency stressed that HH the Amir's visit to Kinshasa is of particular importance as it represents a significant step towards diversifying regional partnerships and deepening cooperation with Central Africa, noting that parliamentary cooperation between the Shura Council and African parliaments constitutes an important bridge to support bilateral relations and expand the horizons of understanding and joint action on regional and international issues. 

His Excellency Chairman of the Internal and External Affairs Committee of the Shura Council Yousef bin Ali al-Khater praised the distinguished relations and growing partnerships that bind Qatar to the countries of the African continent, based on mutual respect and convergence of interests in the economic, political, labor and other fields.In a special statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE al-Khater explained, on the occasion of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani's visit to the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, that the African tour reflects His Highness’ vision of strengthening relations with countries of the continent and enhancing the presence of the State of Qatar in Africa as a reliable partner that contributes to development, peace and stability.He pointed out that Qatari-Rwandan relations have witnessed significant development over the past years, including in the fields of education, innovation and modern technologies. He stressed that the close co-operation between Doha and Kigali embodies a model of relations based on partnership and mutual interests.Regarding the Democratic Republic of Congo, HE Chairman of the Internal and External Affairs Committee of the Shura Council explained that relations between the two countries are witnessing increasing growth in light of the Qatari leadership’s interest in strengthening co-operation with African countries rich in natural resources in order to achieve sustainable development and enhance economic and humanitarian co-operation.He stressed that His Highness the Amir's visit to Kinshasa is of particular importance as it represents a significant step towards diversifying regional partnerships and deepening co-operation with Central Africa, noting that parliamentary co-operation between the Shura Council and African parliaments constitutes an important bridge to support bilateral relations and expand the horizons of understanding and joint action on regional and international issues.

The Shura Council held its weekly session Monday at the Tamim bin Hamad Hall, chaired by its Speaker His Excellency Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanem. At the outset of the session, His Excellency the Secretary-General of the Shura Council Nayef bin Mohammed al-Mahmoud read out the session’s agenda, and the Council approved the minutes of its previous meeting.During the session, the Council reviewed a draft law on Owners’ Association, referred by the government, and decided to refer it to the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee for further study and to submit its report on the matter. The Council also reviewed the esteemed government’s statement concerning the proposal submitted by the Shura Council on the situation of persons with disabilities, and referred the matter to the Social Affairs, Labour, and Housing Committee for study and to submit its findings.At the conclusion of the session, His Excellency al-Ghanem briefed the Council on his participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC), held last week in Islamabad, Pakistan. He noted that the conference discussed issues related to peace, security, and development, as well as the role of parliaments in supporting international efforts to resolve conflicts and promote intercultural dialogueHe also highlighted his meetings with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, the Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, and the Speaker of the House of Councillors of Morocco, noting that discussions focused on parliamentary relations, prospects for strengthening them, and co-ordinating positions on the topics addressed during the conference.His Excellency the Speaker additionally reviewed his participation in the 19th Meeting of Speakers of Legislative Councils of GCC States, hosted by Bahrain last Thursday. He explained that the meeting underscored the importance of enhancing Gulf parliamentary co-operation, developing mechanisms for consultation and co-ordination, and supporting the integration process among GCC states.He further referred to his remarks emphasising Gulf unity and shared destiny, noting that the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain received the GCC legislative council speakers participating in the meeting, which reaffirmed support for joint Gulf parliamentary work and the development of co-ordination mechanisms to serve the best interests of the peoples of the GCC states.

The UN Security Council on Monday voted to adopt a US-drafted resolution endorsing President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza and authorising an international stabilisation force for the Palestinian enclave. Israel and the Palestinian resistance group Hamas agreed last month to the first phase of Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza - a ceasefire in their two-year war and a hostage-release deal - but the UN resolution is seen as vital to legitimising a transitional governance body and reassuring countries that are considering sending troops to Gaza.The text of the resolution says member states can take part in the Trump-chaired Board of Peace envisioned as a transitional authority that would oversee reconstruction and economic recovery of Gaza. It also authorises the international stabilization force, which would ensure a process of demilitarising Gaza, including by decommissioning weapons and destroying military infrastructure. Hamas, in a statement, reiterated that it will not disarm and argued that its fight against Israel is legitimate resistance, potentially pitting the group against the international force authorised by the resolution."The resolution imposes an international guardianship mechanism on the Gaza Strip, which our people and their factions reject," Hamas said in its statement, issued after the adoption of the resolution. Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the UN, said the resolution, which includes Trump's 20-point plan as an annex, "charts a possible pathway for Palestinian self-determination ... where rockets will give way to olive branches and there is a chance to agree on a political horizon." Russia, which holds a veto on the Security Council, earlier signaled potential opposition to the resolution but abstained from the vote, allowing the resolution to pass.The UN ambassadors of Russia and China, which also abstained, complained that the resolution does not give the UN a clear role in the future of Gaza. The Palestinian Authority issued a statement welcoming the resolution, and said it is ready to take part in its implementation.Trump celebrated the vote as "a moment of true Historic proportion" in a social media post. "The members of the Board, and many more exciting announcements, will be made in the coming weeks," Trump wrote. The resolution has proven controversial in Israel because it references a future possibility of statehood for the Palestinians. The resolution's text says that "conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood" once the Palestinian Authority has carried out a reform programme and Gaza's redevelopment has advanced.

The Shura Council held its weekly session on Monday at the Tamim bin Hamad Hall, chaired by His Excellency Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim. At the outset of the session, HE Secretary-General of the Shura Council Nayef bin Mohammed Al Mahmoud read out the session's agenda, and the Council approved the minutes of its previous meeting. During the session, the Council reviewed a draft law on Owners' Association, referred by the esteemed government, and decided to refer it to the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee for further study and to submit its report on the matter. **media[382727]** The Council also reviewed the esteemed government's statement concerning the proposal submitted by the Shura Council on the situation of persons with disabilities, and referred the matter to the Social Affairs, Labor, and Housing Committee for study and to submit its findings. At the conclusion of the session, HE Speaker Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim briefed the Council on his participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers' Conference (ISC), held last week in Islamabad, Pakistan. His Excellency noted that the conference discussed issues related to peace, security, and development, as well as the role of parliaments in supporting international efforts to resolve conflicts and promote intercultural dialogue His Excellency also highlighted his meetings with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, the Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, and the Speaker of the House of Councillors of Morocco, noting that discussions focused on parliamentary relations, prospects for strengthening them, and coordinating positions on the topics addressed during the conference. HE the Speaker additionally reviewed his participation in the 19th Meeting of Speakers of Legislative Councils of GCC States, hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain last Thursday. He explained that the meeting underscored the importance of enhancing Gulf parliamentary cooperation, developing mechanisms for consultation and coordination, and supporting the integration process among GCC states. He further referred to his remarks emphasizing Gulf unity and shared destiny, noting that HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain received the GCC legislative council speakers participating in the meeting, which reaffirmed support for joint Gulf parliamentary work and the development of coordination mechanisms to serve the best interests of the peoples of the GCC states.

His Excellency the Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the President of the National Planning Council (NPC), Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, attended Sunday the second "National Development Forum: Social Development Pillar," organised by the NPC under the theme "Sustaining Prosperity in Qatari Society" at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre.The forum was attended by a number of ministers and senior officials, along with leaders from the private sector, representatives of civil society, and local and international institutions operating in Qatar.The forum constitutes a national platform for discussing the pillar of social development, and the role of family, society and national identity in supporting the path of national prosperity.

The Shura Council's Education, Culture, Sport and Media Affairs Committee held a meeting Sunday under the chairmanship of His Excellency Khalid bin Ahmed al-Obaidan.The committee discussed the government's statement regarding the Council's proposal on the cultural legacy project associated with Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.The committee decided to submit its report on the matter to the Shura Council.

His Excellency the Shura Council Speaker Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanim met separately Sunday with Mauritanian ambassador Mohamed Mohamed Abdullah Bebane and French ambassador Arnaud Pescheux.**media[382327]**Discussions during the meetings addressed Qatar's relations with Mauritania and France, and ways to further develop them, particularly in the field of parliamentary co-operation.

More than half of Sudan's population is in need of humanitarian aid, the head of the Danish Refugee Council said, as fighting ravages the northeast African nation.Since breaking out in April 2023, the war between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced nearly 12 mn and triggered one of the world's worst humanitarian crises."We see a situation where more than 30mn people are in need of humanitarian assistance. That is half of the population of Sudan," Danish Refugee Council Secretary General Charlotte Slente told AFP by phone this week after a visit to a border region in neighbouring Chad."The suffering we see is unimaginable." Sudan had a population of around 50mn people in 2024, according to the World Bank.The aid official's comments came after a field visit to an area in Chad that borders Sudan's western Darfur region, which has seen fierce fighting of late.Violence has escalated dramatically in recent weeks, with the RSF seizing control of the key town of El-Fasher — the army's last stronghold in Darfur — after an 18-month siege and reports of atrocities multiplying."There are violations that cross all international humanitarian laws," she added.Slente said the NGO had seen evidence of mass killings and sexual violence in Sudan.**media[382270]**"We see detentions, we see abductions, forced displacement and torture," she said.She accused the international community of not doing enough."Statements have a very limited impact both on the ongoing humanitarian needs on the ground, and they have not been able to stop the violence," she said.She warned that there were other cities still under siege that were not receiving the same level of attention.The town of Babanusa, the last army stronghold in West Kordofan state, has been under siege for several months, as have North Kordofan state capital El-Obeid and South Kordofan's Kadugli and Dilling."The international community must stop managing the consequences of this conflict and must start preventing the atrocities," said Slente.

The UN Security Council will vote Monday on a resolution endorsing US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan, diplomats said. Last week the Americans officially launched negotiations within the 15-member Security Council on a text that would follow up on a ceasefire in the two-year war between Israel and Hamas and endorse Trump's plan. **media[382089]** A draft of the resolution "welcomes the establishment of the Board of Peace," a transitional governing body for Gaza -- that Trump would theoretically chair -- with a mandate running until the end of 2027. **media[382087]** It would authorise member states to form a "temporary International Stabilisation Force (ISF)" that would work with Israel and Egypt and newly trained Palestinian police to help secure border areas and demilitarise the Gaza Strip. **media[382088]** Unlike previous drafts, the latest mentions a possible future Palestinian state.

Qatar reaffirmed its firm position in support of the unity of Sudan, the integrity of its territory, and the right of its brotherly people to enjoy security, stability, and a dignified life. This came in Qatar's statement delivered by Her Excellency Permanent Representative of Qatar in Geneva Dr Hend bint Abdulrahman al-Muftah, during the 38th Special Session of the Human Rights Council on human rights situation in and around El-Fasher, Sudan held in Geneva.Her Excellency al-Muftah reiterated Qatar's ongoing commitment to promoting and protecting the human rights of the Sudanese people and rejecting any form of interference in Sudan's internal affairs, particularly those that fuel the ongoing armed conflict and contribute to its prolongation.She expressed Qatar's shock and strong condemnation of the atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces in the city of El Fasher following the recent attack, calling for an end to these violations and crimes and for the perpetrators to be held accountable.She also renewed Qatar's call for an end to the war in Sudan and for a peaceful resolution that ensures the country's unity, preserves its institutions, and safeguards its territorial sovereignty.She stressed that the time has come for the world to pay attention to this humanitarian tragedy and work seriously to end it, as each passing day reveals more atrocities that are paid for by innocent civilians, as witnessed in El-Fasher and its surroundings, with fears of recurrence in other areas unless swift action is taken to stop them.Her Excellency al-Muftah reaffirmed Qatar's solidarity with the Sudanese people during this critical humanitarian situation and its continued provision of all forms of support to alleviate the crisis.She called on the international community to intensify its efforts and respond by providing humanitarian aid to meet the growing needs of the Sudanese people.At the conclusion of its special session, the Human Rights Council adopted, without a vote, a resolution calling for an urgent investigation into recent violations and abuses of international human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law committed in El-Fasher and surrounding areas.

Under the patronage of His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Chairman of the National Planning Council, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani the "National Development Forum: Social Development Pillar" will be held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center on Sunday.Organized by the National Planning Council (NPC) under the theme "Sustaining Prosperity in Qatari Society," the forum is part of a series of National Development Forums organized by the National Planning Council to foster open national dialogue on the priorities of the Third National Development Strategy (2024-2030), contributing to the realization of the aspirations of Qatar National Vision 2030 into tangible national outcomes.The forum will be attended by their excellencies the ministers, senior officials and representatives from the private sector, civil society and local and international organizations operating in the State of Qatar. It will serve as a national platform to discuss the pillar of social development and the role of family, community, and national identity in supporting the path of national prosperity.A panel discussion at the forum will feature HE Minister of Social Development and Family Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi; HE Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani; HE Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud; and HE Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar, Saad bin Ali Al Kharji.This panel discussion will highlight the importance of developing a cohesive society where individuals enjoy a high quality of life and thrive on a spirit of participation and shared responsibility. The first theme of the discussion, "Continuing to Improve the Quality of Life for All Citizens and Residents," will review national efforts to enhance the quality of healthcare, expand social protection, support vulnerable groups, and promote active and healthy lifestyles for all.The second theme, "Strengthening Family and Community Cohesion for a Balanced and Resilient Life," will discuss the importance of family support policies and community initiatives that promote social cohesion and empower individuals to contribute to building a more resilient and balanced society.The third theme, "Preserving Qatari Culture and Identity in a Vibrant, Cohesive, and Open Society," will focus on the fundamental role of national culture, creativity, and heritage in strengthening Qatari identity and fostering a positive openness to the world. It will also highlight efforts to enhance Qatar's position as a leading cultural and tourist destination.HE Secretary-General of the National Planning Council, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa stated that the forum underscores the importance of the family as the cornerstone of building a cohesive society that achieves the desired social progress within an environment that ensures a high quality of life. He emphasized that Qatar National Vision 2030 and successive national development strategies have consistently placed social development and the family at the heart of their development policies.He affirmed that ongoing, structured community dialogue is a fundamental pillar of the National Planning Council's work, noting that social progress is the cornerstone of the nation's prosperity."Through the National Development Forum on the pillar of social development, we emphasize that social welfare is not an end in itself, but rather a foundation for sustainable prosperity and a key driver for achieving Qatar National Vision 2030," His Excellency added.This forum embodies the National Planning Council's commitment to fostering a culture of dialogue and partnership among all stakeholders in development, and to unifying national efforts towards a more prosperous and sustainable future, where comprehensive development is an investment in and for people.