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Geneva: HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Office in Geneva Dr. Hind Abdulrahman Al Muftah took part in an event titled "Diplomacy and Security: Shaping Peace in a Fragmented World," held at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. In her remarks, Her Excellency said that in the context of the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, Iranian attacks on Gulf states represent a serious and dangerous escalation. She stressed that such actions constitute a clear and unacceptable violation of national sovereignty and international law, warning that they risk expanding the conflict beyond the region with potentially severe global consequences. She reaffirmed Qatar's strong condemnation of attacks targeting its territory, emphasizing that such actions cannot be justified under any circumstances. She added that Qatar has consistently sought to distance itself from regional conflicts and has remained committed to facilitating dialogue between Iran and the international community. HE Al Muftah noted that while Qatar had from the outset condemned Israeli strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure, the subsequent Iranian response, which directly targeted Qatari territory as part of a broader pattern of attacks on civilian sites, represents a troubling escalation that undermines regional stability. She added that such actions only contribute to further instability and increase risks for all countries in the region, reiterating Qatar's firm position that disputes must be resolved through diplomatic means. Her Excellency also highlighted that Qatar had worked in good faith with several regional partners to prevent the outbreak of war, but these efforts were unfortunately met with repeated and unjustified attacks on its territory from the beginning. She warned that the continuation and expansion of these hostilities will only deepen the crisis and widen its consequences. She stressed that in light of these developments, there is a need for a comprehensive reassessment of regional security arrangements, calling for Gulf states to unite in establishing a more effective and inclusive framework for collective security based on cooperation and proven defense partnerships. Al Muftah pointed out that Qatar's experience demonstrates the ability of diplomacy to achieve tangible results even in highly polarized environments, whether through humanitarian facilitation or mediation efforts in various regions, noting that maintaining channels of communication remains both possible and necessary. Her Excellency concluded by emphasizing that human rights and security must go hand in hand, underscoring the importance of strengthening multilateral institutions to ensure constructive engagement and preserve their credibility. She added that the collective security framework must evolve to become more inclusive and reflective of current geopolitical realities, giving a stronger voice to all nations.

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Doha: Under the gracious patronage of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF) has announced to organise the inaugural ceremony of the Rawda Award for Excellence in Social Work on April 5 to honour the winning social initiatives. The “Rawda” Award is the first national award in the field of social work. It was established by Amiri Decision No. (16) of 2025 to serve as an institutional framework for recognizing the most impactful and sustainable social initiatives across five main categories: individuals, families, non-profit organizations, the private sector, and media. The award operates under the umbrella of the Ministry of Social Development and Family, in strategic partnership with Social and Sport Contribution Fund (Daam). Minister of Social Development and Family H E Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi chairs the Board of Trustees of the award. The award aims to establish, develop, and promote a culture of social work in the State of Qatar, strengthen societal values, and encourage the private sector and all segments of society to compete in leading community initiatives. Minister of Social Development and Family affirmed that the award represents an extension of Qatar’s approach to supporting high-quality initiatives that enhance quality of life and create a sustainable positive impact in society. She noted that the award serves as a leading platform for exchanging expertise and showcasing inspiring experiences in social work, contributing to the development of practices, fostering innovation, and providing successful initiatives with opportunities to expand and achieve broader impact. The Minister added that the award reflects the maturity and integration of the social work system and underscores the importance of investing in initiatives that place people at the heart of their priorities, based on clear standards of efficiency and sustainability. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Family and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees H E Khalifa bin Isa Al Kubaisi Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Family and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees H E Khalifa bin Isa Al Kubaisi stated that the closing ceremony honors outstanding achievements and efforts, contributing to the realization of the social development pillar within Qatar National Vision 2030. It also represents the culmination of an integrated national journey built on appreciation, encouragement, and motivation, within a precise evaluation and judging system that ensures transparency and credibility. CEO of the Rawda Award for Excellence in Social Work Abdulaziz Ibrahim Al Ishaq CEO of the Rawda Award for Excellence in Social Work Abdulaziz Ibrahim Al Ishaq, stated that the award has gone through important stages in its establishment, including setting standards, frameworks, and governance mechanisms for participation. Committees were formed to review, evaluate, and judge submissions leading up to the final ceremony.

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Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), HE Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, and Secretary-General of the Association of Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Carla Barnett, discussed on Wednesday via videoconferencing the brutal Iranian attacks targeting GCC countries and the repercussions of the dangerous escalation in the region, which poses a direct threat to regional and international security and stability. Barnett affirmed CARICOM's condemnation of these Iranian attacks and its solidarity with the GCC countries. For his part, the GCC Secretary-General commended the position of the CARICOM member states regarding the Iranian attacks on GCC countries, emphasizing the GCC's strong condemnation of these aggressive attacks, which violate the sovereignty of GCC countries and constitute a blatant breach of all international laws and norms. He stressed the need for an immediate cessation of all hostilities and for Iran to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817.