Foreign Policy

The State of Qatar’s foreign policy is built on a set of principles outlined in its Permanent Constitution. These include a foundational commitment to strengthening international peace and security through supporting the peaceful resolution of international disputes.

“With regard to our foreign policy, we have always been keen to establish it on fundamental basics and solid principles in sync with our values and reflective of our Islamic-Arab-Gulf affiliation, to achieve our goals and national interests and fulfil our international obligations and effective partnership with the international community in addressing global challenges for the good of mankind.”

The State of Qatar’s foreign policy upholds the nation’s obligations under all international treaties and conventions to which it is a party.

Key priorities include:

Mediating disputes between conflicting parties to achieve peaceful resolutions

Promoting sustainable development

Alleviating discrimination against women and religious minorities

Bolstering humanitarian assistance in regions of conflict and war

Supporting and strengthening efforts to reduce projected humanitarian needs in complex emergencies

Through dialogue and mediation, the State of Qatar believes in building alliances and finding solutions to conflicts while respecting the rights of sovereign nations.

Conflict Mediation

The State of Qatar’s mediation efforts continue to stand out and these recent efforts have helped defuse crises and resolve disputes. Based on this effective approach, the State of Qatar has become a trusted partner in peacebuilding and supporting stability through dialogue and diplomacy.

“Qatar’s role is to ensure the stability of the region and that of its own, for which it needs to deal with all sides, work for the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and ensure a better future for the region.”

The State of Qatar has established a distinguished track record in conflict mediation, consistently facilitating dialogue between opposing parties while maintaining strict respect for national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.

The State of Qatar’s most notable contributions to international mediation include:

Middle East

In January 2025, joint mediation efforts between the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States secured a ceasefire in Gaza, prisoner swap deal, ending over 467 days of destruction, devastation and bombing.
In August 2023, the State of Qatar facilitated a landmark prisoner swap deal between the United States and Iran, which led to the release of five Iranians detained in the United States, unfroze USD 6 billion in Iranian funds and released five Americans detained in Iran.

Africa

Under the auspices of the State of Qatar, Chad’s transitional authorities and politico-military movements signed a peace agreement in August 2022, paving the way for comprehensive national reconciliation dialogue.
In May 2022, Qatari mediation efforts restored diplomatic relations between Kenya and Somalia, following a dispute that lasted around five months.
In February 2017, the State of Qatar mediated an agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Liberation Army Second Revolution Movement.

Asia

In September 2020, the State of Qatar hosted historic talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government, marking their first in-person meeting and ending a conflict that lasted two decades.

Humanitarian aid

Fostering human potential is the core of Qatar’s domestic and foreign policy.

Qatar is committed to helping people affected by all types of crisis situations – wars, earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters – through humanitarian assistance, while abiding by the principles of impartiality and neutrality.

Qatar provided prompt aid for those affected by the tsunami in Indonesia and devastating earthquakes in Pakistan, China, Haiti, and others.

Over the past several years, Qatar has expanded its international aid programme dramatically, through donations from the government as well as Qatari charities and philanthropists.

From 2012 until June 2019, Qatar provided aid worth USD 6.75 billion to more than 100 countries around the world.

Middle East

In response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, the continues to provide various forms of humanitarian assistance. Until the end of 2024, the State has established an air bridge, with 116 Qatari aircraft delivering a total of 4,766 tonnes of emergency relief aid, including food, medicine to the Gaza Strip. In September 2024, the State of Qatar pledged USD 100 million for humanitarian aid in Palestine. Additionally, the State of Qatar continues to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
In November 2024, Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) announced a pledge of USD 5 million to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in cooperation with the Qatar Red Crescent, to support relief efforts and provide humanitarian aid in Syria
Since the Israeli aggression on Lebanon in 2024, the State of Qatar dispatched 21 aircrafts carrying medical aid as part of the air bridge, reaffirming its commitment to regional humanitarian relief efforts.

Asia

- The State of Qatar provided emergency humanitarian aid worth over USD 41 million to Afghan people between 2014 and 2023 to support them during armed conflict and natural disasters

Africa

- The State of Qatar provided a total of USD 86 million in humanitarian assistance to Sudan since the start of the war in 2023. It also operated an air bridge that delivered 673 tonnes of humanitarian aid. In July 2024, the Qatar Fund For Development signed a USD 2 million agreement with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to support Sudanese refugees and returnees in South Sudan.

Internationally

- The State of Qatar signed contribution agreements with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), covering 2017 and 2024, with a total contribution of USD 72 million, reflecting its dedication to coordinated humanitarian response.
- In December 2024, the State of Qatar and the United Kingdom pledged to double their joint funding to USD 100 million to support humanitarian crises and international development initiatives. Joint funding will support a range of initiatives aimed at tackling humanitarian crises and promoting sustainable development.
- The International Search and Rescue Team of the Internal Security Force of the State of Qatar (Lekhwiya) has successfully carried out over 100 rescue and relief missions in various countries around the world. In November 2024, the team successfully passed the international reclassification evaluation by the United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), ranking the team among the most distinguished teams in international relief efforts.
- The State of Qatar established the Hamad Bin Khalifa Charitable Foundation in 2024 to improve living standards for vulnerable populations by providing educational, health, and social development support within the State of Qatar and globally.
- The State of Qatar demonstrated exceptional commitment to global humanitarian assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, virtually participated in the Global Vaccine Summit 2020, and announced a significant USD 20 million pledge to support the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI). In addition, the State of Qatar contributed an additional USD 10 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop advanced testing equipment, treatments and vaccine research.
- The State of Qatar has also supplied tonnes of medical aid to over 80 allied nations.
- The State of Qatar actively supports United Nations agencies and international organisations in their leading roles in development and humanitarian assistance. During the 2018 Doha Forum, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs signed several agreements with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, reinforcing the State of Qatar’s commitment to international peace, security and sustainable development.
- Agreements include a USD 500 million (QAR 1.82 billion) pledge to various United Nations programs, making the State of Qatar the 6^th largest United Nations donor globally, as well as the establishment of four United Nations offices in Doha. The agreement further pledges annual support to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The State of Qatar champions education and youth development as key tools for countering violent extremism. As such, the State has allocated most of its foreign aid to supporting educational initiatives, particularly in underserved communities. Among the most prominent efforts are initiatives led by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, aimed at uplifting communities worldwide.

“The greater side of humanitarian aid that the State of Qatar provides has focused on education and professional development. Denying millions of children and youth from education and job opportunities is a dangerous matter that leads to a lost generation and is considered a factor that feeds extremism, violence and terrorism.”

As part of this global effort, Her Highness Sheikha Moza launched several initiatives aimed at expanding access to quality education—most notably the Education Above All Foundation, established in 2006 to support human, social, and economic development, particularly among communities affected by poverty.

The foundation aims to empower 59 million out-of-school children around the world, addressing educational challenges through capacity-building, resource mobilisation and cross-sector partnerships.

Her Highness Sheikha Moza also launched several initiatives to support education and social reform, as well as offer economic opportunities across the Arab world. This includes Silatech, founded in 2008, to create jobs and economic prospects for Arab youth between the ages of 18 and 30.

Countering Extremism

The State of Qatar consistently act as a catalyst in maintaining security and combating extremism through comprehensive bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation.

As a Muslim nation, the State of Qatar stands firmly against those who misrepresent Islam by committing heinous acts of violence. The State of Qatar proudly joins its international partners in forming a strong alliance against this shared threat while actively promoting its enduring culture of tolerance.

Anti-Terrorism Initiatives

The State of Qatar serves as a founding member of the Global Counterterrorism Forum, which coordinates initiatives with 30 different countries, including France, Britain, Germany, Canada, and the United States.
The State of Qatar is an active member of the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC) that coordinates with other GCC countries and the United States on domestic designations of individuals and entities associated with AQAP and ISIS-Yemen.
In September 2024, the State of Qatar and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism signed a contribution agreement to support the International Hub on Behavioural Insights to Counter Terrorism, a program office established in Doha. Under this agreement, the International Hub will conduct research in behavioural sciences to gain a deeper understanding on factors that contribute to violent extremism and terrorism.
In June 2020, the US Department of State released its Country Reports on Terrorism for 2019, stating that during the US-Qatar Counterterrorism Dialogue in November 2019, the
In December 2018, the State of Qatar and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) signed an agreement to establish a United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism in Doha, contributing USD 75 million to its overall strategy. Following this agreement, in March 2019 the State of Qatar and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) held their first strategic dialogue at United Nations Headquarters.
In July 2017, His Highness the Amir amended the State of Qatar’s anti-terror legislation, which set clear rules for defining terrorism, crime, terrorist acts, terrorist entities, freezing funds and financing terrorism. During the same period, the State of Qatar signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States outlining future efforts to fortify the fight against terrorism and hinder terror funding.