Minister of State for International Cooperation participates in session on humanitarian diplomacy, water security

In Doha, Qatar's Minister of State for International Cooperation, HE Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, took part in a panel discussion titled "Bridging Humanitarian Diplomacy to Water Security" at the Global Security Forum 2026. She appreciated the Geneva Water Hub and the Swiss Embassy in Qatar for organizing the event.

The session coincided with heightened security concerns in the region that could impact the global economy, according to Her Excellency. Qatar's commitment to preventive diplomacy, mediation, and resilience-building is crucial in addressing these threats, she emphasized.

Qatar's experience in conflict prevention, de-escalation, and humanitarian response provides valuable insights into mitigating crisis impacts on civilian populations and essential services, she stated. Water security has been particularly challenged this year due to escalating tensions and attacks on critical water infrastructure, she noted.

These developments highlight the urgent need to safeguard essential civilian infrastructure, in line with international humanitarian law, and promote international cooperation to prevent disruptions to vital water services, she explained. Humanitarian diplomacy plays a vital role in fostering dialogue, facilitating humanitarian access, and encouraging collective efforts to secure water during conflicts.

Qatar has contributed to protecting essential resources during armed conflicts through humanitarian aid, diplomacy, mediation, reconstruction financing, and support to displaced civilians, she detailed. Examples include efforts in Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Somalia, and Syria.

Qatar has worked with Egypt and the United States to ensure the delivery of significant humanitarian aid to Gaza and continues to support the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip and the reopening of the Rafah crossing, she explained.

Protecting water infrastructure during armed conflicts goes beyond international humanitarian law and is reinforced by international human rights law and environmental law, she stressed. The greatest threat to civilian protection is the lack of compliance with these laws or their selective application.

Humanitarian diplomacy must be an integral part of discussions on water security, she concluded, emphasizing the importance of joining forces to influence parties to armed conflicts to protect essential resources for those affected by conflicts. Sharing knowledge and expertise on resilience during armed conflicts is also crucial for global stability and upholding the right to clean water.