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The State of Qatar took part in the high-level meeting held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Qatar News Agency reported. Director of the International Organizations Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sheikha Hanouf bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani led the Qatari delegation at the event marking a quarter century since the adoption of the landmark anti-racism document. In her address the diplomat underlined Qatar’s steadfast backing for the declaration’s principles and its ongoing work to translate them into practice both domestically and on the global stage.
According to the Qatari official’s remarks carried by The Peninsula she stressed the country’s dedication to promoting human rights, equality and non-discrimination while fostering tolerance, coexistence and respect for cultural diversity. Sheikha Hanouf bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani outlined continued national and international initiatives aimed at eradicating all forms of discrimination and enhancing social inclusion. The statement highlighted Qatar’s proactive role in these areas as part of its broader foreign policy objectives.
The representative drew attention to major legislative and programmatic steps the country has taken The Peninsula reported. Among them was Qatar’s hosting of the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha in 2025 an event that produced the Doha Political Declaration as a renewed global framework for tackling inequality and bolstering social protection systems. Sheikha Hanouf bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani positioned these efforts as direct contributions to international endeavors addressing exclusion and advancing equitable development.
Qatar remains determined to back all multilateral initiatives seeking the complete and effective rollout of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action the director stated. This stance aligns with the country’s consistent advocacy at United Nations forums for strengthened measures against racism and xenophobia. The 2001 conference in South Africa that produced the document established a comprehensive program still regarded by the United Nations as foundational to global anti-discrimination work.
A separate event in December 2025 saw Qatar mark the 60th anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination with calls for enhanced domestic legislation according to a report by The Peninsula. National Human Rights Committee officials urged the passage of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law and the establishment of a dedicated body to address racism during that seminar. Such steps would build on constitutional provisions and the Qatar National Vision 2030 that embed principles of equality.
The Durban Declaration adopted at the World Conference against Racism in 2001 provides a blueprint for governments according to United Nations summaries of the process. It calls for concrete actions to combat racial discrimination in areas ranging from education and employment to justice systems and international cooperation. Qatar’s participation in the anniversary meeting underscores its alignment with these international standards while contributing through regional and global platforms.
