Qatar Announces Half a Billion USD in Funds to UN Agencies

Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Qatar Fund for Development create framework with UN to support 10 of its agencies

Agreements signed on sidelines of Doha Forum include funding and establishment of Doha presence for several UN programs

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Qatar Fund for Development today signed agreements with multiple United Nations agencies to support humanitarian, counter-terrorism and relief programs around the world.

The multi-year assistance to ten UN agencies amounts to USD 500 million, including 28 million to the UN Development Program (UNDP), 8 million annually between 2019 and 2023 to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 4 million annually to UNICEF and 15 million annually to the Security Council’s Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC). Qatar will also provide critical support to UNRWA, which received a strong blow this year after international funding was withdrawn, through a commitment of USD 16 million annually over the next two years.

Other agencies that will benefit from Qatar’s support include the World Food Program, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Special Purpose Trust Fund (SPTF) and Department of Political Affairs.

In addition, several UN agencies will either establish a permanent presence in Qatar or be hosted in the country to be better placed to support their target beneficiaries. Those agencies include the UNDP, OCHA, UNICEF and the Center for Applying Insights to Extremist Behaviour.

The signings were witnessed by His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations.

Commenting on the signings HE Sheikh Al-Thani said, “We are pleased today to reinforce the importance of the UN and the work it does in alleviating the suffering of people around the world, in addition to achieving peace, security and sustainable development. The continued cooperation and coordination between countries, the UN and its various agencies is beneficial to millions of individuals around the world, and we in Qatar greatly value this role.”

He added, “We also appreciate the Secretary General’s efforts to reform the UN, and emphasize our support to the announced 2030 goals. Qatar considers itself a partner that is responsible for supporting the achievement of all sustainable development goals as well as fighting terrorism.”

HE Mr. Guterres remarked, “Today’s development is a quantum leap in the relationship between Qatar and the UN. Today Qatar is a structural partner to the United Nations. The support to UNRWA, in particular, comes at a critical time. UNRWA has faced many challenges this year and thanks to nations such as Qatar it will survive. For that I would like to make a special expression of gratitude.”

Qatar is ranked as the first Arab and sixth international contributor to global joint funds. Through institutions such as the Qatar Fund for Development, it implements external aid projects and works to achieve inclusive and sustainable development, by addressing priority issues of education, health and economic empowerment.