Guterres honors Qatar's former Emir Sheikh Hamad at UN ceremony

UN Secretary-General António Guterres led commemorations for Qatar's former Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani at a ceremony held at the United Nations in New York. The tribute underscored the late emir's contributions to the Gulf state and his influence on regional diplomacy during his leadership.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani served as Qatar's emir from 1995 until his abdication in 2013, a period marked by the nation's rapid economic development and increasing prominence on the world stage. During his tenure, he oversaw Qatar's transformation into a major global player through investments in energy, infrastructure, and major international events.

Guterres's remarks at the UN ceremony reflected the organization's recognition of Sheikh Hamad's role in fostering dialogue and cooperation across the Middle East and beyond. The Father Emir, as he is traditionally known following his abdication, maintained an active role in Qatari affairs even after stepping down from his formal leadership position.

The ceremony brought together representatives from various nations and international organizations to acknowledge the late emir's legacy and his impact on Qatar's development into one of the region's most influential states.