Doha, September 21 (QNA) - The State of Qatar's role within the United Nations system is evolving from active participation in international forums to greater involvement in the institutional work of UN committees and bodies, reflecting the country's growing diplomatic stature and the increasing international confidence in its expertise and contributions across legal, humanitarian, human rights, and development issues.

The election of the State of Qatar as Rapporteur for the Sixth Committee of the UN General Assembly (which deals with legal matters and the codification and progressive development of international law) for its eighty-first session serves as the latest indicator of this growing presence. In June, the Committee elected Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations in New York Abdulaziz Fadhalah Al Sulaiti as Rapporteur for the Committee, the proceedings of whose new session are set to begin in October.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that the election of the State of Qatar reflects international recognition of its standing and active role in the work of UN committees, as well as global appreciation for Qatari national expertise and its active, constructive contributions in international forums.

Qatar's presence extends to the human rights system, where its candidate, Dr. Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad, was re-elected to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination for the 2026-2030 term, having secured the support of 163 States parties to the Convention during elections held at the United Nations headquarters in New York in June 2025.

The committee monitors the implementation by States parties of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The renewal of Qatar's membership represents an extension of its participation in international mechanisms concerned with human rights and combating discrimination.

This presence is also evident in active participation in the work of the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms. In June 2026, the State of Qatar participated in a high-level discussion marking the 20th anniversary of the council's establishment, emphasizing the importance of enhancing its effectiveness, credibility, and preventive role, as well as linking human rights to development, peace, and security. It also took part in the council's discussions on violence against women and girls, affirming its rejection of all forms of violence and the importance of strengthening legal and institutional frameworks for protection and empowerment.

In August 2026, the State of Qatar participated in the interactive dialogue with the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to discuss its combined periodic reports, with the participation of a national delegation comprising representatives from various ministries and relevant entities.

The State of Qatar was unanimously elected to membership in a number of United Nations institutions, including the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice of the Economic and Social Council, and the boards of directors of the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations Population Fund and the United Nations Office for Project Services, within the framework of memberships that reflect the broad scope of Qatari participation in the United Nations system.

These memberships are significant given the roles played by UN committees and councils in formulating international policies and standards, adopting resolutions, and monitoring program implementation. This affords Qatari professionals' greater scope to participate in discussing and shaping a number of priority issues on the international stage.

The diversity of these venues reflects the multifaceted nature of Qatari foreign policy, which combines diplomacy, mediation, multilateral action, and institutional engagement, alongside contributions to humanitarian, developmental, and legal issues.

In this context, the State of Qatar affirmed, during a high-level discussion at the Security Council in June 2026, that mediation and the peaceful settlement of disputes constitute a cornerstone of its foreign policy, and expressed its readiness to work with the Security Council and international partners to foster dialogue and mediation and achieve sustainable peace.

Qatar's role in counter-terrorism is also prominent, as Qatar affirmed before the General Assembly in July 2026 its commitment to the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and its four pillars, as well as the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, including conflicts, hate speech, and human rights violations.

This presence complements Doha's hosting of various United Nations offices and agencies, including those of UNICEF, UNESCO, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, thereby reinforcing Doha's status as a platform for international dialogue and cooperation on humanitarian, developmental, and security issues.

In the context of supporting multilateral action, Doha hosted a meeting of the Council of Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly in December 2025, attended by 13 former General Assembly presidents, which culminated in the issuance of the "Doha Declaration." This declaration addressed the challenges facing multilateral action and emphasized the need to strengthen and reform the United Nations to enable it to deal more effectively with international crises, prior to the declaration's official submission to the UN Secretary-General in February 2026.

Thus, the extensive Qatari presence in UN committees, bodies, and councils reflects a shift in participation, moving beyond mere representation in international forums to substantive institutional contribution to the work of the UN system. This enhances the State of Qatar's capacity to help shape consensus, support multilateral action, and engage with priority international issues. 

Regarding the election of the State of Qatar to leadership positions within United Nations committees and bodies, President of the Council of Presidents of the UN General Assembly Nassir bin Abdulaziz Al Nasser told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that this presence represents the continuation of a cumulative diplomatic trajectory. Through this process, Qatar has evolved from merely participating in multilateral international efforts to actively contributing to them and assuming high-level responsibilities. He emphasized that attaining such positions reflects the trust Qatar has earned within the international community, thanks to its balanced stances, the credibility of its diplomacy, and its capacity for dialogue and consensus-building.

He noted that the policy led by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani has contributed to consolidating Qatar's position as an active state that upholds its international responsibilities, seeks to bridge viewpoints, and leverages its relations to serve peace and stability, alongside its contributions to development, humanitarian work, and international dialogue.

He emphasized that the State of Qatar's assumption of key positions, including that of Rapporteur of the General Assembly's Sixth Committee, cannot be viewed as an isolated event; rather, it is the natural outcome of a sustained political and diplomatic trajectory, and proof that international confidence in Qatar and its diplomatic expertise has become an institutional asset that strengthens over time.

He added that his experience within United Nations institutions confirmed to him that such positions do not represent a political privilege so much as they impose a greater responsibility to engage in dialogue with various parties and build common ground among divergent positions. He noted that, during his presidency of the 66th session of the General Assembly, he made it a priority to adopt mediation and consensus-building as the guiding approach of the presidency, grounded in the principles of Qatari foreign policy established by HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, which are based on dialogue, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and openness to all parties.

Al Nasser observed that HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani has preserved, consolidated, and advanced this diplomatic legacy, elevating it to a broader sphere of international presence and influence. Under His Highness's leadership, mediation has become a hallmark of Qatari diplomacy, alongside a commitment to international law, multilateral action, and dialogue with diverse powers.

He noted that the approach of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani does not view mediation merely as a move linked to a specific crisis; rather, it regards it as part of a broader vision for Qatar's role in building bridges, opening channels of dialogue, and contributing to finding solutions to crises and conflicts.

He indicated that this approach earns Qatari diplomacy at the United Nations significant credibility, a foundation that can be built upon in negotiations, efforts to bridge viewpoints, and the forging of consensus. He noted that the assumption of leadership roles by Qatari professionals in international committees and bodies represents an extension of this policy, helping to translate the state's foreign policy principles into an active presence and tangible influence within international institutions.

President of the Council of Presidents of the UN General Assembly Nassir bin Abdulaziz Al Nasser addressed the requirements for transforming Qatar's growing presence within UN institutions and committees into more firmly established diplomatic influence regarding major international issues. He emphasized that the State of Qatar has made significant strides in strengthening its presence within the international system and that the next phase requires building upon these achievements to transform them into a sustainable institutional asset.

He said that a nation's true influence is built through accumulation and continuity, and through the ability to translate political trust into initiatives, institutions, and capable, influential personnel. He noted that a state's standing at the United Nations is not measured solely by its geographic size or population, but rather by its credibility and its capacity to launch initiatives, build trust, and engage with various parties, attributes for which the State of Qatar possesses significant standing.

He added that the State of Qatar today has a significant opportunity to build upon its achievements and advance its diplomacy to a more solid and influential stage, grounded in the fundamental principles of its foreign policy, particularly independent decision-making, dialogue, and mediation, while also enhancing diplomatic tools and expanding its network of relations and cooperation with various nations and international institutions.

Regarding Qatar's growing, active presence in United Nations committees and bodies, Assistant Professor in the Department of International Affairs at the College of Arts and Sciences at Qatar University Dr. Abdulla Banndar Al Etaibi told QNA that this represents a deliberate Qatari investment in international institutions and norms, particularly at a time of increasing polarization among major powers. He noted that the multilateral system serves as a vital tool for small and medium-sized states to expand their room for maneuver, safeguard their interests, and ensure their voices are heard within decision-making circles.

He indicated that the declining effectiveness of multilateral action does not diminish its importance to the State of Qatar; rather, it may create greater scope for nations capable of building bridges, bridging divergent views, and engaging with various blocs, thereby enhancing their ability to contribute to shaping international consensus.

Dr. Al Etaibi observed that Qatar's transition from participating in international forums to assuming positions within United Nations institutions reflects an expansion of its diplomatic toolkit rather than a replacement of one approach with another. He explained that there is a distinction between attending international meetings and contributing to the shaping of their agendas, rules, and outcomes.

He added that assuming positions within UN institutions enables the State of Qatar to shift from merely reacting to international issues after they have been raised to actively contributing to setting priorities and shaping the frameworks through which they are addressed, representing a more advanced level of diplomatic influence and participation in shaping the international landscape.

He noted that a key strength of Qatari diplomacy lies in its ability to combine field-based and institutional work. Mediation provides direct insight into crises, the parties involved, and the limits of feasible settlements, while a presence within international institutions allows this experience to be leveraged into broader initiatives and cooperation frameworks, thereby enhancing contributions to the development of tools for conflict management and prevention.

He emphasized that a state's international influence is not determined by its geographic or demographic size, but rather by its ability to propose solutions, build trust, and open channels of communication between parties. He noted that the transformations within the international system offer greater scope for states capable of engaging with competing parties and operating beyond the dynamics of polarization, particularly in areas such as mediation, regional security, development, and humanitarian work.

Concluding his remarks to QNA, Assistant Professor in the Department of International Affairs at the College of Arts and Sciences at Qatar University Dr. Abdulla Banndar Al Etaibi noted that the challenge for the coming phase lies in transforming this growing presence into sustainable institutional influence. This is to be achieved by preparing specialized diplomatic and technical personnel, forging alliances within international institutions, and continuing to launch initiatives that offer practical value and tangible impact.

The evolution of Qatar's presence within UN committees and bodies indicates that multilateral diplomacy has become a key avenue for enhancing the state's international profile. Election to the position of rapporteur in a UN General Assembly main committee, the renewal of membership in human rights mechanisms, and participation in councils and committees focused on development and criminal justice, alongside active engagement in the Human Rights Council and international legal bodies, all converge on a single objective: strengthening the capacity to help shape the international agenda. This trajectory marks a gradual shift from merely maintaining a presence in UN halls to actively participating in its operational mechanisms, and from simply stating positions to contributing to the management of debates and the formulation of international frameworks. This affords Qatari diplomacy greater scope to engage with the issues that will define the future of the international order. (QNA)