New York/ Information Office/ 08 December 2016/ UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced on Thursday the appointment of HE Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Muraikhi of Qatar as his humanitarian envoy.

The decision by the UN Secretary-General appointing Dr. Al Muraikhi reflects growing international recognition of the outstanding role played by the State of Qatar in the provision of humanitarian assistance and its active participation in international efforts in the humanitarian field, through cooperation with the international organization.

The secretary-general looks forward to Dr. Al Muraikhi working closely with Stephen O'Brien, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, to build stronger partnership in Qatar, the Gulf Cooperation Council region and beyond, he said.

"The humanitarian envoy will ensure stronger linkages between the United Nations and decision makers in Qatar and the broader region," he said. "His overall objective will focus on supporting multilateral humanitarian response efforts by raising the profile of humanitarian crises with governments and non-governmental organizations, and increasing their engagement with the international humanitarian community." Dr. Al Muraikhi held several positions in the State. He was director for the International Development Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, director-general for the Qatar Fund for Development, director general of the Qatari Authority of Charitable Work, and Deputy Chairman of the Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities (RACA).