Qatar Participates In First OIC Ministerial Meeting On Afghanistan

New York: The State of Qatar participated yesterday in the first ministerial meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Afghanistan, held on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The State of Qatar was represented by Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi.

In his address to the meeting, Dr. Al Khulaifi stressed the vital importance of this contact group, noting that it convened at a critical moment when Afghanistan's humanitarian, economic, and political conditions require a collective commitment to stability and support for the Afghan people.

He offered the State of Qatar's sincere condolences to the victims of the recent devastating earthquake in Afghanistan and extended heartfelt sympathies to their families and loved ones.

Dr. Al Khulaifi emphasized the need to intensify diplomatic efforts to strengthen relations and cooperation and to ensure effective implementation of the group's decisions. He said the Afghan people are facing unprecedented hardships and that it is the duty of OIC member states to unite and facilitate meaningful dialogue and support.

He recalled that the State of Qatar has long dedicated itself to this cause, launching the Doha Peace Process on Afghanistan in 2013 to seek peaceful solutions through dialogue and preventive diplomacy. As part of these efforts, Qatar has helped facilitate numerous dialogues among Afghan factions, contributing to an inclusive political process that engages all segments of society.

Dr. Al Khulaifi highlighted Qatar's hosting of the UN-led Doha Process, which began with the UN Secretary-General's meetings of special envoys on Afghanistan in May 2023, February 2024, and July 2024. Within this framework, the State of Qatar recently hosted the third meeting of the counter-narcotics working group and the second meeting of the Private Sector Working Group on Jun. 30 and July 1, respectively.

He added that as this OIC mission takes shape, Qatar stands ready to strengthen cooperation among member states, monitor progress, address ongoing humanitarian needs, and support the Afghan people while ensuring constructive engagement between Afghanistan's caretaker government and the international community, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2721 of December 2023.

Dr. Al Khulaifi reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to continuing its long-term humanitarian, development, and diplomatic efforts to support the Afghan people, especially during this critical period.

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