Qatar Discusses Aid Systems in London

Why this is here: Qatar provided $4.8 billion in foreign aid to the least developed countries throughout 2024, demonstrating its significant financial commitment to global development.

Qatar, represented by Minister of State for International Co-operation Dr. Maryam al-Misnad, participated in the Global Partnerships Conference in London, co-hosted by the United Kingdom and South Africa.

Dr. al-Misnad spoke on building systems to address 21st-century challenges, noting imbalances in current international cooperation. She reviewed Qatar’s support for least developed countries, citing a recent $60mn grant for development and capacity-building.

Qatar navigated simultaneous crises in Gaza, Ukraine, and global food/climate issues during the past year. The minister described a shift where Gulf and Arab funds now support the international system, with Qatar providing $4.8bn in foreign aid in 2024 alone.

Dr. al-Misnad urged translating commitments from the Doha World Summit into action and proposed a roadmap focused on recipient-led funding platforms. Qatar’s Education Above All Foundation has enrolled over 16mn children in education across 60 countries, but access to financing for social protection and human capital remains a challenge. Further work is needed to integrate humanitarian mediation into development investment strategies.