Tipperary Peace Convention will present the 2024-25 Tipperary International Peace Award to the Prime Minister of Qatar for his involvement in brokering peace negotiations.
His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, will receive the Tipperary Peace Award in a ceremony today, Tuesday, July 1, at 3pm, at the Great National Ballykisteen Golf Hotel, Limerick Junction, County Tipperary.
Qatar has emerged as a significant mediator in international diplomacy, using its resources, neutrality, and strategic positioning to broker peace in some of the world’s most protracted conflicts, said Honorary Secretary of the Tipperary Peace Convention, Martin Quinn.
“Qatari delegations have facilitated key negotiations between rival factions in regions such as the Middle East and Africa. Notably, Qatar hosted and mediated peace talks between the United States and the Taliban, leading to the 2020 Doha Agreement, which paved the way for the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“It has also been instrumental in efforts to ease tensions in Darfur, Sudan, and has consistently played a mediating role in intra-Palestinian talks between Hamas and Fatah.
“In the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, Qatar has worked alongside international partners to negotiate ceasefires, coordinate humanitarian aid, and secure the release of hostages.
“Its diplomatic channels are often open to groups that other states refuse to engage with, allowing it to serve as a unique bridge between opposing parties.
“Beyond negotiations, Qatar contributes to reconstruction and development efforts in post-conflict areas, reinforcing its long-term commitment to peace and stability.
“This sustained engagement reflects Qatar’s foreign policy emphasis on dialogue, conflict resolution, and humanitarian diplomacy, making it a respected and necessary player in global peace efforts,” added Mr Quinn.
Previous recipients of the Tipperary Peace Award include former South African President, the late Nelson Mandela; former President of Ireland, Professor Mary McAleese and her husband Senator Martin McAleese; the late Senator Edward Kennedy and his sister the late Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith; and Pakistani school girl Malala Yousafzai.
