Qatar's UN Permanent Representative Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani met with Virginia Gamba, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, at Qatar's Permanent Mission headquarters in New York on 26 June 2024. The meeting centred on strengthening existing cooperation between Qatar and the UN's office dedicated to protecting children in conflict zones.
Qatar's Role in Protecting Children in Armed Conflict
During the meeting, both officials reviewed the scope of bilateral collaboration between the State of Qatar and the Office of the Special Representative. The discussions focused on concrete ways to advance and deepen their shared work in this critical humanitarian field.
Both sides underscored the importance of reinforcing efforts to protect children caught in armed conflict — a priority Qatar has championed at the UN for years. Sheikha Alya and Gamba explored multiple areas of mutual interest where the two sides could expand their cooperation going forward.
Meeting Held at Qatar's Permanent Mission in New York
The talks were held at Qatar's Permanent Mission office in New York, reflecting the standing diplomatic channel between Qatar and the UN on children's rights and protection in conflict situations.
Qatar has maintained an active role in UN efforts on this issue. Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, as the State of Qatar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, has been at the centre of the country's multilateral diplomacy on humanitarian and children's protection issues.
Virginia Gamba, as the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, leads the UN's global efforts to monitor and report on grave violations against children in war zones and to advocate for their protection.
