Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi
Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani — may Allah protect and preserve him — delivered a comprehensive and objective speech at the UNGA on Tuesday, in which he spoke about the principles and laws upon which the United Nations was established eight decades ago.
The Amir aimed to remind the international community that the establishment of the organisation was based on respect for international law, which regulates relations between states and peoples, and on halting aggressions and violations that contradict the international charter. He stressed that the cowardly and treacherous attack carried out by the Israeli settler state against the State of Qatar, while it was conducting mediation and negotiations, was nothing but a heinous act, an instance of state terrorism, and a blatant disregard for the international community and its laws.
At the same time, His Highness expressed gratitude for the UN Security Council statement condemning the treacherous attack on Qatar, as well as to the states that stood in solidarity with Qatar and voiced their denunciation of this cowardly act. He reaffirmed that Qatar’s mediating role would continue, in cooperation with Egypt and the US, stressing that Qatar’s role stems from its belief that peace and dialogue are the only paths to ending conflicts and wars.
A number of countries around the world recognised the State of Palestine in conjunction with the ongoing sessions of the UNGA in New York. His Highness valued and praised this step in his address, and urged other states to do the same.
The Amir always addresses Arab and Islamic issues, calling on the international community to stand with Syria and provide support for rebuilding the country. He said: “I have confidence in the Syrian people to rise with their nation and reject violence and division.” He also reaffirmed Qatar’s support for Lebanon, calling for Israel’s withdrawal from the Lebanese territories it has occupied. His Highness further emphasised support for international efforts to restore stability and build peace in Sudan. Concluding his speech—which received wide attention and coverage across various media and political platforms around the world—His Highness affirmed Qatar’s ability to host global tournaments. He announced that Qatar has submitted a bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, citing the great success of hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the echoes of which are still resonating worldwide, and noting the difficulty of replicating such success and brilliance in the future.
His Highness’s speech spoke to the global human conscience, calling for action to create a world where people can live in peace, harmony, freedom, and dignity. He highlighted the importance of Qatar’s role and diplomacy in international forums and its contributions within various UN organisations and bodies. Within this speech, H H the Amir addressed a message to the Israeli Prime Minister, saying that he dreams of making the Arab region an area of Israeli influence. In this statement lay subtle messages and profound meanings of dignity and pride, as if to say that Arabs will not accept humiliation and will sacrifice everything for their land, living with pride and belonging to their homeland.
