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Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini said that it is time to allow widespread humanitarian access into the Gaza Strip. Lazzarini said via X platform that the exchange of prisoners and detainees, as part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, "sheds some light of hope after more than 2 years of total darkness." "It is time to build a future of peace through healing, justice and mutual recognition. Time to let in humanitarian aid at scale, including through UNRWA," he added.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) has announced the release of Qatar's Second National Communication (NC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), reaffirming the country's commitment to fulfilling its international obligations in addressing climate challenges.The National Communication is an official document submitted by member states to the Convention Secretariat. It includes detailed data on greenhouse gas emissions, mitigation and adaptation policies and measures, as well as programs and initiatives related to sustainable development, with the aim of showcasing progress made in meeting climate commitments.In a statement issued Saturday, the Ministry explained that the preparation of the report took nearly two years of collaborative work involving government and semi-government entities, academic institutions, and national research centers.The data collection and analysis process adhered to the highest international standards to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness.The issuance of the Second National Communication underscores Qatar's dedication to documenting its climate efforts within an institutional framework that integrates technical expertise and scientific knowledge.This contributes to the formulation of evidence-based policies that support sustainable development goals and align with Qatar National Vision 2030.This report reflects Qatar's steadfast commitment to climate action and its active role in supporting international efforts to combat climate change.It also highlights the country's contribution to promoting knowledge exchange and sharing expertise with the global community, while reinforcing its presence in international environmental forums.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has welcomed the UN80 Initiative, launched by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as a key effort to make the United Nations more efficient, coherent, and fair in tackling contemporary global challenges. The GCC affirmed its support for efforts to reform the UN system and better meet the expectations of member states. This announcement was made during a speech delivered by Abdallah Al Fadhli, Diplomatic Attache of the State of Kuwait, on behalf of the Gulf Group before the Fifth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, under the agenda item "Organization of Work." Al Fadhli said that any reform must be anchored in the UN's three pillars: maintaining international peace and security, advancing human rights, and achieving sustainable development. He underscored the importance of a practical and constructive approach based on transparency, inclusiveness, and meaningful participation of all member states. He stressed the Gulf Group's readiness to engage constructively with all UN delegations and to promote consensus-building in the interest of achieving global goals. He reaffirmed the Group's belief that equality and inclusiveness among member states are essential to building an international order grounded in fairness and balance. Al Fadhli highlighted that enhancing fair representation and developing mechanisms for multilingualism within UN bodies are necessary, consistent with member states' aspirations for justice and equity. He specifically emphasized the importance of consolidating Arabic's status among the UN's six official languages since 1973, as a matter of equal access for Arabic-speaking peoples. He concluded by reaffirming the Gulf Group's commitment to collective and multilateral action under the UN framework, and its support for initiatives aiming to reinforce the Organization's effectiveness, strengthen its principles, and promote a just, inclusive, and sustainable international partnership.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres expressed his gratitude to the State of Qatar for its joint invaluable mediation work to end the tragic war in the Gaza Strip. In a press statement, the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres said he is encouraged by the statement issued by Hamas announcing its readiness to release hostages and to engage in negotiations on the basis of the recent proposal presented by the President of the United States of America Donald Trump. The Secretary-General urged all parties to seize the opportunity to end the war in Gaza and reiterated his consistent call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and unfettered humanitarian access.

The Iranian rial plummeted to a record low against the US dollar on Sunday after the reinstatement of United Nations sanctions, according to currency-tracking websites.On the black market, the rial was trading at around 1.12 million rials against the dollar, the Bonbast and AlanChand websites reported, about a month after it had been slightly above one million rials to the greenback.

The State of Qatar participated in the Fourth High-Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and the Promotion of Mental Health and Well-being, held in New York under the theme: "Equity and Integration: Transforming Lives and Livelihoods through Leadership and Action on Non-Communicable Diseases and the Promotion of Mental Health and Well-being."The delegation of the State of Qatar was headed by HE the Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al Mahmoud.In his address, HE Al Mahmoud emphasised the importance of joint international efforts to confront the growing challenges of NCDs, strengthen mental health, and advance progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the target of reducing premature deaths from NCDs by one third.He noted that Qatar's National Health Strategy 2024-2030 prioritises the reduction of NCDs and the promotion of mental health and well-being, with a clear target of reducing NCD-related mortality by 36%.Drawing on the findings of the 2023 National STEPS Survey, HE Al Mahmoud highlighted the launch of nationwide campaigns on diabetes, obesity, and heart health, alongside innovative initiatives such as awareness programs linking oral health to the prevention of chronic diseases. He also underlined Qatar's continued investment in training healthcare professionals in collaboration with leading universities and institutions and the introduction of new care models, including AI-based applications and integrated treatments for mental health."Innovation lies at the heart of our vision," he said. "We employ AI-driven analytics to monitor diseases and advance precision medicine, through projects in personalised healthcare carried out in partnership between the Ministry of Public Health, the Qatar Precision Health Institute, and Sidra Medicine."He further stressed Qatar's collaboration with international partners, including the World Health Organisation, the Gulf Cooperation Council Health Council, and the Gulf Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.Qatar, HE Al Mahmoud added, has also expanded mental health services and rehabilitation centres, and looks forward to hosting the Sixth Global Ministerial Summit on Mental Health.He affirmed: "The progress achieved by the State of Qatar reflects its firm conviction that health is a fundamental pillar of human and social development. We reaffirm our commitment to continue these efforts and to work hand in hand with our international partners for a healthier, fairer, and more prosperous future for all."The meeting reaffirmed the importance of strengthening global and national commitments to address the challenges of NCDs and mental health through enhanced cross-sectoral cooperation, health system transformation, sustainable financing, tackling social, economic, commercial, and environmental determinants of risk and inequality, and accelerating a comprehensive, equitable, and high-quality response worldwide.

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi met with Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres to discuss ways to enhance joint cooperation. The meeting took place today on the sidelines of the GCC Secretary-General's participation in the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In light of regional developments, the UN Secretary-General praised the role and efforts of GCC member states in mediation and their ongoing pursuit of security and stability in the region and the world, affirming that the entire world needs the GCC's efforts across all fronts. Albudaiwi emphasized the GCC's keenness to strengthen joint cooperation with the United Nations to contribute to resolving regional and international issues, foremost among them the crisis in Gaza and the achievement of sustainable development. He also commended the General Assembly's resolution on cooperation between the GCC and the United Nations, which will significantly contribute to enhancing their partnership.

The Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) signed 13 new agreements with United Nations agencies, international financial institutions, and humanitarian organizations, with a total value exceeding US$133 million. The agreements reflect the State of Qatar's steadfast commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation as indispensable pillars for achieving sustainable development and shared prosperity worldwide. According to QFFD, these commitments are expected to benefit more than 8.3 million people globally, advancing progress in health, education, youth empowerment, food security, climate resilience, and economic development. The signing took place on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), held under the theme "Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development, and human rights." The agreements encompass both long-standing and new partners, including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Gates Foundation, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO), the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNICEF in support of the Generation Unlimited (GenU) initiative, the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UNOHRLLS), the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the Inter-American Investment Corporation. The signing ceremonies were attended by HE Chairperson of the Board of Directors of QFFD, Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al-Thani, and HE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Vice-Chairperson of QFFD's Board of Directors Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, alongside senior representatives from partner organizations. Through these agreements, QFFD reiterated its firm belief that international solidarity represents the most effective path to addressing pressing global challenges. By providing flexible contributions, QFFD strengthens the institutional capacities of leading UN agencies and expands their reach to the most vulnerable. At the same time, targeted programs supported by innovative financing mechanisms will enhance women's health, strengthen food stockholding systems, sustain essential public services in conflict-affected countries, rehabilitate critical infrastructure for displaced communities, and create new opportunities for young people through education, skills development, and entrepreneurship. QFFD also prioritizes the needs of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), in line with the Doha Programme of Action (2022-2031), focusing on resilience-building and strengthening systems in communities most exposed to fragility. On the sidelines of UNGA80, HE Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al-Thani met with HE Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group Amina J. Mohammed. The meeting reaffirmed the strong partnership between the State of Qatar and the United Nations and their shared commitment to advancing a just, inclusive, and sustainable future. A series of additional high-level meetings were also held with development leaders to explore ways of enhancing cooperation in addressing global priorities. Speaking on the occasion, Director General of QFFD Fahad Hamad Al Sulaiti stated: "QFFD believes that transformative change can only be achieved through collective action. These agreements reaffirm our commitment to work hand-in-hand with governments, the private sector, and international partners to build a just, inclusive, and sustainable future. They also underscore the importance of high-impact partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms in addressing persistent gaps and global challenges, ensuring solutions that are locally driven, scalable, and sustainable." These efforts align with the State of Qatar's strategy for international cooperation, whereby QFFD aims to address urgent humanitarian needs while simultaneously promoting long-term resilience, guided by the principles of multilateralism, solidarity, and shared responsibility.

Her Excellency Minister of State for International Cooperation Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad met with the Secretary of State for International Development of Canada Randeep Sarai on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting reviewed cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and develop them, in addition to a number of topics of common interest.

Building on the enduring cultural and historical connections between the Arab world and Latin America and the Caribbean, Unesco organised the “Arab Latinos! Shared Roots, Shared Horizons” event at the United Nations House in Doha.The gathering highlighted the need to foster sustainable South–South solidarity and mutual support in the face of today’s global challenges, while also showcasing how literature, archives, and cinema can advance inclusive narratives, promote intercultural dialogue, and contribute to peacebuilding.The event brought together representatives of more than 32 embassies alongside academics and cultural leaders, underscoring broad international support for the Arab Latinos! initiative and its role in strengthening cultural cooperation between regions.‘’Arab Latinos! is not only a celebration of this legacy, but also a strategic platform for South-South co-operation, echoing the spirit of the United Nations Day for South-South Co-operation,” said Salah Khaled, the Unesco representative to the Gulf States and Yemen and director of Unesco Office in Doha.“Through education, culture, the sciences, and communication, this initiative seeks to foster inclusive dialogue, collaborative knowledge production, and solidarity across regions of the South,” he said. “Through this event, we are proud to contribute to the Qatar-Argentina-Chile 2025 Year of Culture.”The first roundtable discussion on Al-Mahjar focused on the literary heritage of Arab migrants in Latin America and emphasised the importance of preserving the archives of Arab Latinos.Refqa Abu-Remaileh, associate professor in residence at Northwestern University in Qatar, and Tan Huism, executive director of the Qatar National Library, stressed that the preservation, documentation, and accessibility of these sources require the co-ordinated engagement of governments, national institutions, academia, and civil society.In a second roundtable, “Cinema as a Bridge”, experts retraced the history of the Arab Latinos cinema and its powerful medium for promoting intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding.Prof Geraldo de Campos from the Department of International Relations at the Federal University of Sergipe in Brazil and Christian Mouroux, the director of the LatinArab International Film Festival in Buenos Aires, illustrated how LatinArab co-productions create opportunities for collaborative storytelling that reflect diverse identities and self-narratives.These partnerships enrich artistic expression, transcend borders, and challenge stereotypes, thereby advancing South-South solidarity co-operation in line with Unesco’s mission of promoting international co-operation through its fields of expertise.Building on the exchanges, participants emphasised the importance of advancing the Arab Latinos! initiative through concrete follow-up actions, including expanding access to archives, fostering cultural exchanges, and reinforcing bilateral co-operation between national institutions.

The United Nations on Friday released a long-awaited update of its database of companies with activities in Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories, listing 158 firms from 11 countries. UN rights chief Volker Turk has condemned as a war crime Israel's policy of settlements on Palestinian territory in the occupied West Bank. While several companies including Alstom and Opodo had been removed from the non-exhaustive database, major firms such as Airbnb, Booking.com, Motorola Solutions and TripAdvisor remained on the list. Contacted by AFP for their reaction, the companies have not so far responded. While most of the companies were based in Israel, others were based in Canada, China, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Britain and the United States. The report, from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), urged companies to "take appropriate action to address the adverse human rights impacts" of their activities. Turk said in a statement: "This report underscores the due diligence responsibility of businesses working in contexts of conflict to ensure their activities do not contribute to human rights abuses." Israel denounced the report as "a document with no legal ground and far beyond the scope of the OHCHR". The country's UN office in Geneva added: "The OHCHR continues to misuse UN resources to tarnish Israel, proving that it is not able to execute its mandate in any adequate way. "We call on friends not to yield to this ugly attempt to blacklist Israeli firms." The list was first produced in 2020 after a UN Human Rights Council resolution called for a database of firms that profited from business in illegally occupied Palestinian territory. The UN rights office was asked to list companies found to be taking part in any of 10 activities, including construction, surveillance, demolitions and destruction of agricultural land in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Listing companies in the database was "not, and does not purport to be, a judicial or quasi-judicial process", it stressed. Despite a requirement for the database to be updated annually, it has been revised just once before, in 2023, when some companies named in the original list were removed. Friday's release marks the first update that includes fresh names. "A total of 68 new companies were added to the list published in 2023, while seven of those... were removed as they were no longer involved in any of the activities concerned," the rights office said. The list is not exhaustive, the rights office said, acknowledging that it had only had time to review 215 of the 596 companies about which it received submissions. For this latest update it said it had prioritised companies with a direct physical link in the settlements, in the fields of construction, real estate, mining and quarries. The remainder will be assessed in future updates, it said. The exercise has been contentious from the start. In 2020, Israel and the United States condemned the creation of the database. Today, nearly two years into the war raging in Gaza, where Israel faces growing accusations of committing genocide, the issue has become even more contentious.

On the sidelines of the ongoing 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), held under the theme “Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development, and human rights”, Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) has announced signing of 13 new agreements with UN agencies, international financial institutions, and humanitarian organisations, representing contributions exceeding $133mn.QFFD has reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation as indispensable pillars for achieving sustainable development and shared global prosperity, a statement said Friday. These commitments are set to benefit more than 8.3mn people worldwide, advancing collective progress across health, education, youth empowerment, food security, climate resilience, and economic development.The agreements include partnerships with both long-standing and new partners, among them the UN Population Fund, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Gates Foundation, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, the World Food Programme, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the UN Development Coordination Office, and the Saudi Fund for Development, the UN Development Programme, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Unicef in support of the Generation Unlimited initiative, the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, the International Rescue Committee, and the Inter-American Development Bank together with the Inter-American Investment Corporation.The signing ceremonies were witnessed by HE Sheikh Thani bin Hamad al-Thani, chairperson of the board of directors of QFFD, and HE Dr Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation and vice-chairperson of board of directors of QFFD, alongside high-level representatives from partner organisations.Through these agreements, QFFD underscores its firm belief that international solidarity is the only effective path to addressing the most pressing global challenges. Through flexible core contributions, QFFD will strengthen the institutional capacities of leading UN agencies and expand their reach to the most vulnerable. At the same time, targeted programmes, supported by innovative financing mechanisms, will advance women’s health, support food stockholding systems, sustain essential public services in conflict-affected countries, rehabilitate critical infrastructure for displaced communities, and create new opportunities for young people through education, skills development, and entrepreneurship.Sheikh Thani also met with Amina J Mohammed, deputy secretary-general of the UN and chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group, reaffirming the enduring partnership between Qatar and the UN and their shared commitment to advancing a just, inclusive, and sustainable future. A series of high-level meetings with leaders from the development field were also convened to explore avenues for deeper cooperation addressing global development priorities.Fahad Hamad al-Sulaiti, director general of QFFD, emphasised: “QFFD believes that transformative change can only be achieved through collective action. These agreements reaffirm our commitment to work hand-in-hand with governments, the private sector, and international partners to build a just, inclusive, and sustainable future. They also underscore the importance of high-impact partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms in addressing persistent gaps and global challenges, ensuring solutions that are locally driven, scalable, and sustainable.”