H.E. Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al Thani Leads High-Level Engagements in Geneva, Strengthening Humanitarian and Development Cooperation

15 May 2025
Geneva, Switzerland

His Excellency Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al-Thani, Chairperson of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), led a high-level visit to Geneva, marking a strategic step forward in the State of Qatar’s enduring commitment to global humanitarian and development efforts. The visit aimed to foster multilateral cooperation and mobilize collective action to address urgent global challenges and accelerate progress towards the achievement of sustainable development.
H.E Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al-Thani, engaged in a bilateral meeting with Mr. Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), to discuss ongoing collaboration in responding to forced displacement and refugee crises across the globe. Following the meeting, QFFD signed a core contribution agreement to support UNHCR’s core resources for the 2025–2026 period. This contribution underscores Qatar’s enduring partnership in enabling rapid emergency responses and sustaining vital support for underfunded displacement situations.
Subsequently, a bilateral meeting was held with Mr. Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), to explore avenues to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the protection of human rights, particularly in humanitarian contexts, at both regional and international levels. Following the meeting, QFFD signed a core contribution agreement to support OHCHR’s work during the 2025–2026 period, reaffirming Qatar’s commitment to safeguarding and advancing universal human rights, and promoting the principles laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In addition, the Chairperson, accompanied by the delegation, visited the Geneva Graduate Institute, where a meeting was held with Professor Achim Wennmann, Director of Strategic Partnerships. Discussions focused on strengthening the longstanding partnership and exploring new avenues for bilateral cooperation, underscoring a shared commitment to expanding access to education as a driver of sustainable development and long-term prosperity.
The delegation also engaged with students from the Qatar Scholarship Program, offering an opportunity to hear firsthand their experiences and aspirations, and underscoring the importance of investing in human capital to drive positive, sustainable change.
These engagements reflected the State of Qatar’s deep-rooted support for multilateral diplomacy, international law, and strategic partnerships that contribute to global peace, justice, and human dignity, all in pursuit of leaving no one behind and achieving sustainable development.

• Geography Switzerland
• Timeline 2025