The high-level meeting brought together key international partners and donors to reaffirm collective support for the Palestinian people, strengthen coordination on development and humanitarian efforts, and discuss strategies to address the urgent political, economic, and social needs on the ground.

Mr. Alfehani underscored the international unwavering commitment to humanitarian relief, reconstruction, and long-term stability in Palestine by stating: “At the outset of my remarks, I would like to highly commend this European initiative, which comes at a pivotal moment in the history of our central cause. It affirms a growing international commitment to ending the humanitarian suffering in the occupied Palestinian territory, strengthening the resilience of the Palestinian people, and supporting their institutions.”

During the session, Mr. Alfehani highlighted Qatar’s ongoing initiatives aimed at supporting essential services, infrastructure projects, and socioeconomic resilience, emphasizing the importance of continued international engagement at this critical moment.

Qatar’s participation in the Brussels meeting reflects its long-standing diplomatic commitment to supporting peace, stability, and development in the region, as well as its dedication to advancing coordinated international efforts through multilateral platforms.

For media inquiries, please contact: comms@qatarfund.org.qa

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The high-level meetings brought together heads of state, finance ministers, development leaders, and civil society representatives to deliberate on global economic trends, poverty alleviation, and the future of international cooperation.

Led by Mr. Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti, Director General, QFFD engaged in a series of high-level bilateral meetings and side events that underscored its pivotal role as a key development partner in driving global cooperation. Discussions highlighted the essential role of innovative financing in bridging the growing development funding gap and mobilizing resources to foster inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth, particularly across key sectors such as health, education, economic empowerment, and climate resilience.

As part of its engagements, QFFD joined fellow member institutions in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG), marking five decades of collective impact and joint financing to advance sustainable development and address global challenges.

In addition, QFFD convened a high-level dialogue with Africa50 and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to advance strategic cooperation in sustainable energy investments across Africa and firster resilient infrastructure.

Throughout the week, QFFD held high-level meetings with international and regional partners, including the World Bank Group, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and UN entities such as UNICEF and UNCDF. These meetings explored new avenues for collaboration on innovative financing mechanisms that promote inclusive growth and strengthen resilience in vulnerable economies.

QFFD’s participation underscores its leadership as a catalyst for sustainable and inclusive development, reaffirming its commitment to translating Qatar’s vision of shared prosperity into tangible and lasting impact for communities worldwide.

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This vital Qatari initiative comes as part of an agreement signed by the Qatar Fund for Development with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Jordan, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme to provide operational support if and when needed.

The initiative will provide reliable electricity supply, generating power from 400 megawatts of electricity daily and gradually increase production at the Deir Ali power plant in Syria. The electricity will be distributed to several Syrian cities, including Damascus, Rif Dimashq, As Suwayda, Daraa, Al Qunaitra, Homs, Hama, Tartus, Latakia, Aleppo, and Deir ez-Zur, contributing to the improvement of basic services and enhancing the stability of affected communities.

In this context, Mr. Fahad bin Hamad Al-Sulaiti, the Director General of the Qatar Fund for Development, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in supporting sustainable development and enhancing regional solidarity. He stated, “This initiative represents an important step towards meeting Syria’s electricity needs and reflects a shared commitment among all parties to work collectively for the benefit of the region. The State of Qatar, through the fund will continue to support the brotherly Syrian people, respond to their urgent needs, and strengthen their resilience to ensure a stable and prosperous future.”

This initiative reflects the State of Qatar’s steadfast commitment and continuous support to the brotherly Syrian people in humanitarian and relief fields, contributing to recovery and reconstruction efforts, and ensuring the provision of essential services to achieve a more stable and prosperous future for all.

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Qatar Fund for Development has signed a loan agreement with the GCC Interconnection Authority to finance the expansion of the electricity grid in the brotherly Sultanate of Oman, as part of efforts to enhance regional cooperation and sustainable development. The total project cost is estimated at 560 million USD, with the fund contributing a loan of 100 million USD.

The project consists of the construction of two 400 kV electrical transmission lines connecting the Al-Sila station of the GCC Interconnection Authority in the UAE to the Ibri station, which will be built by the Authority in Oman, with a total length of 530 kilometers. The project includes the construction of two 400 kV electricity transmission substations in both the Ibri and Al-Bayouna areas, equipped with advanced control, protection, and communication systems to ensure reliability, efficiency, and safety. It will also include dynamic compensation stations to enhance network stability and increase transmission capacity, providing an overall transmission capacity of up to 1,700 MW, with a net capacity of 1,200 MW.

This project is a strategic step toward the integration of the GCC energy networks and a vital strategic initiative aimed at enhancing the integration of regional energy grids, increasing the reliability and sustainability of electricity systems in the region. It comes in response to global calls for the development of energy infrastructure and the achievement of sustainable development goals.

The project will provide significant benefits for Oman and the GCC countries, achieving savings of hundreds of megawatts from additional generation capacities, thereby reducing the need to build new power plants. It will also facilitate and enhance electricity exchange between GCC countries and Oman, increasing the flexibility of electrical systems and improving their stability. Additionally, it will reduce operational costs by cutting down the operational expenses of connected countries and generate significant annual financial savings. An important benefit of the project is its contribution to reducing carbon emissions, supporting environmental conservation goals.

In his statement, His Excellency Eng. Salim bin Nasser Al-Oufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, confirmed that the signing of the financing agreement represents a strategic step within the GCC energy integration policies. He pointed out that the project enhances energy security and sustainability, supporting the GCC countries’ plans to develop energy infrastructure in an efficient and reliable manner.

His Excellency also praised the central role of the GCC Interconnection Authority in implementing joint interconnection strategies, emphasizing that this project strengthens the stability of electrical networks and supports the GCC’s drive toward integrated energy markets. He added that the contribution of Qatar Fund for Development reflects the importance of partnership in financing vital energy projects that contribute to sustainable development and enhancing the flexibility of the regional electricity system.

His Excellency Mohsen bin Hamad Al-Hadrami, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals and Chairman of the GCC Interconnection Authority, noted that the electricity interconnection project is one of the most important infrastructure projects approved by the GCC leaders. Since its operation in 2009, the electricity networks of GCC countries have been linked to a shared Gulf network, aimed at maintaining energy security for the electricity grids of GCC countries and achieving the highest levels of reliability, dependability, and efficiency. The Authority has successfully avoided power outages in member states’ networks by providing immediate support to transfer required energy through the interconnection network, with more than 2,800 support cases provided since the system’s inception.

He added that the Authority is keen to meet the growing requirements of electricity networks in all GCC countries. It has prioritized the expansion and development of the electricity interconnection between member states and the region’s electricity networks, leading to the implementation of several major projects to expand the grid, including the direct interconnection with the Sultanate of Oman. These projects will raise the capacity of the GCC interconnection network and provide member states with increased capacity in emergency situations.

Al-Hadrami pointed out that this project is a strategic step towards the integration of Gulf energy networks and a vital initiative to increase the reliability and sustainability of electricity systems in the region. It responds to global calls for energy infrastructure development and sustainable development goals.

For his part, His Excellency Eng. Ahmed Al-Ibrahim, CEO of the GCC Interconnection Authority, said that the project, which is expected to begin construction in the second half of 2025 and enter into service in the first half of 2027, will effectively contribute to improving network stability by reducing the impact of major outages and ensuring continuous operation under various conditions. He added, “The project will enable the networks to accommodate growing loads and support future expansions. It will also significantly contribute to accommodating renewable energy sources by enhancing the network’s ability to receive electricity produced from clean sources such as solar and wind energy, supporting the environmental goals of the GCC countries. It will also play a significant role in increasing energy exchange and trade between GCC countries and providing electricity trade opportunities for GCC countries, especially Oman, with the Republic of Iraq.”

He further added that the financing agreement is a continuation of the ongoing cooperation between the Authority and the Fund in the current phase of the electricity grid expansion, in addition to the southern Iraq interconnection project. There are three major projects to enhance interconnection with Kuwait, the UAE, and Oman, with a total cost exceeding one billion USD.

Al-Ibrahim commended the ongoing cooperation between the Authority and the Fund, which enhances the Fund’s contribution to financing infrastructure projects in the GCC countries to achieve sustainable development goals.

On the other hand, His Excellency Mr. Fahd bin Hamad Al-Sulaiti, Director General of Qatar Fund for Development, stated that the signing of the agreement is part of Qatar Fund for Development’s commitment to strengthening the economies of Arab and developing countries by providing the necessary financing and loans to implement development programs. This initiative is based on a shared belief in the importance of regional cooperation, with energy being a fundamental element to achieving stability and economic and social development in our countries.

This project reflects the Qatar Fund for Development’s continuous commitment to enhancing regional partnerships and efforts to support sustainable development, contributing to building a prosperous and stable future for the GCC countries and the Arab nations in the region.

During the signing of the agreement, Mr. Abdullah Al-Fihani, Deputy Director General for Risk and Compliance of Qatar Fund for Development, stated: “These efforts come as part of Qatar Fund for Development’s commitment to strengthening the economies of Arab and developing countries by providing the necessary financing and loans to implement development programs. This initiative is based on a shared belief in the importance of regional cooperation, with energy being a fundamental element to achieving stability and economic and social development in our countries.”

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Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) has signed phase two of the grant agreement with Turquoise Mountain Trust (TMT) as part of its ongoing support for the livelihoods of weavers and craftspeople in Afghanistan.

Under QFFD’s Women in Conflict Zones (WICZ) initiative, the partnership aims to enhance direct livelihood support to weavers and integrate them, along with carpet producers, into the international value chain. It further seeks to promote social and environmental responsibility in the carpet and craft sectors, adhering to international fair-trade standards for female weavers and craftspeople in Afghanistan. This continued partnership builds on the success of Phase One, which supported the livelihoods of 4,599 female weavers and benefited an additional 9,539 individuals through their households.

During the signing ceremony, which was held in London, United Kingdom, Mr. Fahad Al-Sulaiti, Director General of QFFD, stated, “It is with great pleasure that we announce the strengthening and evolution of our ongoing partnership with the Turquoise Mountain Trust. Building on the foundation of Phase One, this next phase will yield an increase in job opportunities and endorses economic resilience through the alleviation poverty in the Afghanistan humanitarian crisis, increasing weaver wages, and ensuring a sustainable and protected method for selling their products. The objectives set for this project aligns parallel with QFFD’s core values to support Sustainable Development Goal 8, focusing on providing decent work and economic growth within developing countries.”

Mrs. Shoshana Stewart, President of Turquoise Mountain, added, “I am so proud of Turquoise Mountain’s collaboration with the Qatar Fund for Development, which has already supported thousands of Afghan women and families across the carpet industry, and will support thousands more under this expanded next phase. This project is not only providing meaningful livelihoods but is also showcasing and celebrating the exceptional skill and traditions of Afghan artisans.”

The project underscores Qatar Fund for Development’s commitment to advancing the economic empowerment and resilience of Afghan women, fostering sustainable development and creating long-term opportunities for communities in need.

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As part of this partnership, Qatar Fund for Development and Doha Forum co-hosted a vital panel titled, “New Pathways for Conflict Mediation in an Evolving Landscape.” The high-profile session was set against the backdrop of this year’s theme, “Wanted: A Functioning Global Order,” which addressed the urgent need for effective international governance amidst growing geopolitical tensions.

HE Mubarak Ajlan Al Kuwari, Executive Director of Doha Forum, Mr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Aseeri, Acting Director General of QFFD and Maha Al Kuwari, General Manager of Doha Forum, were in attendance, emphasizing Qatar’s ongoing commitment to facilitating constructive dialogue on pressing international issues.

Commenting on the event, HE Mubarak Ajlan Al Kuwari said: “In a year marked by complex geopolitical challenges, Doha Forum and QFFD were honored to co-host an esteemed panel of world-renowned experts to explore the urgent need for innovative, collaborative approaches to mediation. Doha Forum will host its own prominent global summit this December, continuing our commitment to fostering constructive dialogue on the pressing challenges facing the world today.”

Mr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Aseeri, Acting Director General of QFFD stated, “In times of global division and instability, strategic dialogue with global leaders and international stakeholders is not just a necessity but a responsibility. Our partnership with the Paris Peace Forum, alongside Doha Forum as co-host for today’s panel underscores our commitment to innovative approaches in conflict resolution and leverages our unique position to foster partnerships that transcend borders. Together, we are opening new channels for dialogue and cooperation that address today’s complex challenges and contribute to lasting peace.”

Joining the discussion were:

• Jean-Marie Guéhenno: Professor at Columbia University and former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping (Moderator)
• Maria Fernanda Espinosa: Executive Director of GWL Voices for Change and Inclusion, former 73rd President of the United Nations General Assembly, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Ecuador
• Daniel Levy: President of the U.S./Middle East Project (USMEP)
• Ghassan Salamé: Professor Emeritus of International Relations, Sciences Po Paris

With rising instability in the Middle East and other conflict zones worldwide, the session explored the urgent need for dynamic and flexible approaches to mediation that can adapt to today’s complex geopolitical landscape.

The discussion also addressed the need for inclusive engagement with non-state actors who often play significant roles in these conflicts, highlighting the importance of multilateral frameworks and international law as foundations for effective mediation.

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Qatar Fund for Development supported Qatar Red Crescent in implementing the “Emergency Food Support for Flood Victims in the Republic of Niger” project. This initiative involved the distribution of food assistance, including 3,600 food baskets and 750 tons of livestock feed, to support animal husbandry in six affected regions. The aid aimed to improve food security for over 6,600 families impacted by the floods.

Each family received a comprehensive food basket containing 120 kg of essential items such as millet, rice, sugar, and cooking oil, while families that suffered livestock losses due to the floods were provided with 250 kg of feed.

This assistance was part of a wider response to the disaster, as recent floods claimed the lives of 373 individuals, resulted in the loss of 24,955 livestock, destroyed 136,273 homes and 710 water sources, and affected 174,438 families comprising 1,296,618 people.

This collaboration reflects Qatar’s commitment to acting swiftly and effectively to support communities impacted by natural disasters. It also highlights the importance of partnerships in delivering urgent humanitarian aid, thereby enhancing efforts to meet the needs of those affected. Through this partnership, the Fund aims to provide essential support to improve the living conditions of beneficiaries, demonstrating the values of humanity and solidarity.

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The Qatar Fund for Development and the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation have signed a grant agreement worth $4,175,000 to restore the Bibi-Khanym Mosque Complex in Samarkand, the capital of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The project will be carried out by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. The restoration of this mosque, which dates back to the 15th century, represents a crucial step in reviving and revitalizing cultural heritage in the heart of Samarkand. The mosque is considered one of the largest and most magnificent in the Islamic world.

The signing ceremony was attended by Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, Her Excellency Ms. Saida Mirziyoyeva, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan  His Excellency Mr. Hassan bin Hamza Hashem, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Uzbekistan; Mr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al-Aseeri, Acting Director General of the Qatar Fund for Development; Mrs. Gayane Umerova, Chairperson of the Board of Uzbekistan’s Art and Culture Development Foundation; and His Excellency Aga Khan, Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network.

Following the 1897 earthquake in Uzbekistan, the architectural structure of the Bibi-Khanym Mosque suffered severe damage, leading to the collapse of the inner arch of the main iwan and destabilizing the main dome. This project aims to complete previous restoration efforts and rebuild the mosque, while also providing job opportunities to support the economic empowerment of the poorest segments of the Uzbek community. The project also seeks to revive the mosque by offering necessary training and teaching new skills that will facilitate in-depth research and precise implementation plans to preserve the mosque using traditional building techniques.

During the ceremony, Mr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al-Aseeri stated: “The Qatar Fund for Development strongly believes in the importance of supporting the friendly Republic of Uzbekistan through the restoration of the historic Bibi-Khanym Mosque to protect heritage while ensuring job creation and promoting economic growth. The fund is proud to support the restoration of this great architectural landmark, contributing to economic empowerment and boosting tourism through sustainable methods that ensure the continuity of Uzbekistan’s rich culture for future generations.”

In her speech, Mrs. Gayane Umerova, Chairperson of Uzbekistan’s Art and Culture Development Foundation, praised the significance of the project and stated “The restoration of the Bibi Khanum Mosque is not just about preserving an architectural marvel but it is also a vital investment in Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage and economic future. By engaging local communities in this transformative project between the the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Fund alongside the Qatar Fund for Development, we aim to empower the safeguarding of Uzbekistan’s history while creating sustainable livelihoods that benefit generations to come.”

This project underscores the ongoing support from the Qatar Fund for Development in the development and restoration of cultural centers through collaboration with leading Uzbek institutions, further strengthening the strong bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Uzbekistan in promoting sustainable economic growth and cultural preservation.

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