Funding for humanitarian assistance and international development
initiatives supported jointly by the UK and Qatar will be
doubled, the Foreign Secretary announced
today.
This renewed commitment will boost joint action between the two
countries on mutually beneficial initiatives which tackle key
global challenges such as addressing the root causes of irregular
migration and displacement, conflict resolution, education, and
scientific research.
This doubling of humanitarian funding to $100 million (£79.4
million) comes as the UK hosts The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim
bin Hamad Al Thani for a State Visit, and builds on the existing
work by the UK, Qatar and delivery partners. Together, this has
already enabled:
-
Funding the provision of 17 tonnes of family sized tents to
Gaza.
-
Supporting 625,000 children access primary school education
in Northwest Syria.
-
Supporting approximately 423 vulnerable communities to
recover from conflict, environmental and economic crises in
Somalia.
The UK-Qatar humanitarian and development partnership uses joint
UK and Qatari expertise to deliver on the most challenging global
development issues, driving forward projects to contribute to the
attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by
2030.
Foreign Secretary
said:
The Qatar State Visit is an opportunity to celebrate our
relationship, which is reaching new heights to boost trade and
investment and help tackle global challenges, including in Gaza,
Syria and Somalia, together.
Our joint work has already helped alleviate suffering across the
world, and this doubling of support will help us achieve so much
more in the coming years.
HE the Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam
bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad said:
Qatar and the UK stand united in our efforts to deliver critical
humanitarian assistance and development support to vulnerable
communities affected by crises. By doubling our joint
humanitarian funding, both countries reaffirm our commitment to
strengthening the partnership, providing humanitarian relief,
while also implementing initiatives that address the root causes
of global instability.
His Highness's state visit will further strengthen the already
strong bonds between Qatar and the UK across a range of fields,
supporting the long-term prosperity of both countries.
In addition to deepening the UK-Qatar partnership in tackling
humanitarian crises, the State Visit also represents an
opportunity to further the two countries' flourishing investment
relationship, as part of the Government's growth mission and in
alignment with Qatar's national development strategy, Qatar
National Vision 2030.
On Wednesday key business leaders, investors and diplomats will
be brought together at Mansion House to discuss opportunities for
mutually beneficial economic
growth.
The UK already benefits from the investment in clean energy,
jobs, innovation and economic development stemming from the
two-way £6.6 billion trade in goods and services between
our two countries.
This commitment comes ahead of a suite of further enduring and
forward-looking agreements between the UK and Qatar which are
expected to include agreements on security and trade.
