Qatar’s first permanent representative to the United Nations recalls Qatar’s diplomatic role over the past 50 years
DOHA: Ambassador Jassim bin Yousef Al-Jamal, Qatar’s first permanent representative to the United Nations, gave an overview of Qatar’s international role over the past five decades in an interview with the Qatar News Agency.
Al-Jamal was appointed shortly after Qatar’s independence in 1971 and served for 12 years.
In his interview, Al-Jamal stressed that despite its recent independence, Qatar has played a strong and active role at the UN and its permanent delegation is in line with the Arab group.
He said Qatar, as an active and influential presence on the global diplomatic stage, plays an important role in defending its national interests and actively contributes to international peace and security issues.
Al-Jamal recalled some of the memorable moments that reinforced this, such as when the Palestine Liberation Organization submitted a draft resolution to the UN General Assembly condemning Zionism as a racist movement that had angered the West at a time when Zionism exerted great influence on the United States International Organization.
When the draft resolution went to the vote, it received 72 votes, including from influential Latin American countries such as Mexico and Argentina. This strong and unified position was a blow to Israel and its supporters and resonated strongly in the corridors of the international organization, in Europe, the US and in Israel itself, Al-Jamal said.
The ambassador commended the Islamic countries’ support for Arab affairs, particularly the Palestinian cause, which Qatar has always supported.
Asked whether Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Al-Jamal said hosting this major global sporting event for the first time in Middle East history will boost Qatar’s status and importance.
Al-Jamal said the world’s attention is now on Qatar, showing its ability to host such major sports tournaments with efficiency and distinction. He expressed his confidence that the Arab countries will stand by Qatar and support its success in hosting this international sporting event.
Referring to the UN’s attempt to reform the UN Security Council, Al-Jamal said that developing countries have always advocated for the expansion of the Security Council, but he warned that achieving this goal would require an amendment to the UN Charter.
The ambassador said that the chances of that happening now are “almost impossible” because the major powers have the veto power and will not allow it because they always put their interests first.
