Doha Forum Kicks Off, with Gaza at the Forefront of Talks

The 21st edition of the Doha Forum kicked off on Sunday.
The 21st edition of the Doha Forum kicked off on Sunday.
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Doha Forum Kicks Off, with Gaza at the Forefront of Talks

The 21st edition of the Doha Forum kicked off on Sunday.
The 21st edition of the Doha Forum kicked off on Sunday.

The 21st edition of the Doha Forum, which is held under the patronage of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, kicked off on Sunday, in the presence of opinion leaders, senior policymakers, foreign and defense officials, and a large number of businessmen.
Held under the slogan, “Together towards building a bright tomorrow,” the two-day forum is a global platform that seeks to discuss solutions to the world’s crises.
In addition to political, security, and energy files, the Doha Forum discusses a number of topics, including economic development, environmental sustainability, food security, and artificial intelligence.
Sunday’s first conference addresses the situation in the Middle East, and features discussions by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh, Jordanian Foreign Affairs Minister Ayman Al-Safadi, and Dennis Francis, President of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The tragic situation in the Gaza Strip is at the forefront of the discussions.
Another conference will be held under the title: “Palestine has become a global crisis; Does it have a global solution?” It will be attended by Ambassador of the Palestinian Mission to the United Kingdom Hossam Zomlot, Minister of State at the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, and Daniel Levy, Head of the US/Middle East Project and the former Israeli negotiator at Taba and Oslo.
The forum sees an important discussion, entitled “Humanitarian Diplomacy in a World Full of Challenges... An Overview of Global Humanitarian Action 2024”, with the participation of Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.
The forum will also witness a closed session to discuss the situation in Yemen, under the title, “Local, regional and international dynamics in Yemen.”



How Saudi Arabia Contributes to Global Hunger Relief Efforts

Saudi food aid reaches those in need in Chad (SPA)
Saudi food aid reaches those in need in Chad (SPA)
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How Saudi Arabia Contributes to Global Hunger Relief Efforts

Saudi food aid reaches those in need in Chad (SPA)
Saudi food aid reaches those in need in Chad (SPA)

Following the global economic crisis of 1973 and its aftermath, Saudi Arabia provided a $50 million grant to the World Food Program (WFP) between 1975 and 1976 to support its food aid projects for those affected by the crisis.
This contribution marked the beginning of Saudi Arabia’s long-standing role as a generous supporter of the WFP, a partnership that has spanned half a century.
This historical support underscores Saudi Arabia's continued efforts to combat global hunger, a challenge that now impacts 343 million people worldwide.
Saudi support on the international stage has been extensive, either through direct assistance or coordination with the WFP, reaching numerous countries and continents. The partnership between Saudi Arabia and the WFP has been regarded by observers as a key model in the fight against hunger.
Recently, both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to combating hunger by signing a new five-year cooperation agreement between the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and the WFP, paving the way for a new chapter of potential projects.
The joint cooperation program adopts a multi-faceted approach to address humanitarian challenges in emergencies, capacity building, disaster risk reduction, and logistics.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian support plays a valuable role in WFP’s efforts to stop hunger and malnutrition in their tracks. As we look to the future, we are pleased to reaffirm our shared commitment to strengthening and expanding this partnership to reach even more people in need,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.
The partnership has spanned five decades, with one of its most notable milestones occurring during the global financial crisis of 2008.
At that time, Saudi Arabia announced a historic and generous $500 million grant to WFP to help continue its relief projects and provide food to millions affected by rising food prices.
In 2014, Saudi Arabia also contributed over $200 million to supply food for displaced families in Iraq, as well as refugees from Syria in neighboring countries, and those from South Sudan and Somalia.