Qatar

HE Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah met Thursday with HE Minister of Municipalities and Housing of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Eng. Majid bin Abdullah Al Hoqail, on the sidelines of his participation in the Cityscape Riyadh international conference and exhibition.Discussions during the meeting dealt with aspects of cooperation between the two brotherly countries, and means to enhance them in various fields, especially in the field of municipalities, urban planning and smart cities.

The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) issued an official statement addressing recent discussions about the exclusive use of the national card, Himyan, for payments at government agencies.QCB clarified that this payment method is part of a phased digital transformation initiative set to commence in February 2025. The initiative aims to enhance the security of government transactions and lower costs associated with payment processing. QCB emphasized that the quality of services provided to citizens, residents, and visitors in Qatar will remain unaffected throughout this transition.Furthermore, QCB said it is closely monitoring the deployment of financial products and digital transformation initiatives in Qatar. The Central bank said that it will provide the public with the detailed information about the transition, ensuring easy access to government services.

Qatar Fund for Development(QFFD) has affirmed its commitment to promoting innovation in healthcare, exchanging knowledge and best practices to support the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and bringing about positive change in the global healthcare sector.During its participation in the 7th edition of the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH 2024), QFFD showcased its commitment to global health at WISH with the "Healing Journey" booth. This interactive exhibit highlighted the Fund's impactful work in healthcare, particularly in conflict-affected regions. The booth served as a platform to share the Fund's vision for a healthier, more equitable future, engaging attendees through activities that underscored both humanitarian and developmental solutions to urgent health challenges.Additionally, QFFD hosted a high-level roundtable discussion entitled "Strengthening Health Systems in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings." This session convened leading healthcare and humanitarian experts to address the multifaceted challenges hindering access to essential health services in crisis-impacted regions. Through collaborative dialogue, participants explored innovative strategies to build more resilient and sustainable health systems, ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to the care they need, even in the most challenging environments.

HE Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council Dr. Hessa bint Hassan Al Sulaiti affirmed the State of Qatars commitment to supporting women and enhancing their role across various developmental and societal fields. She also called for empowering women and strengthening their participation in achieving global peace.In her speech at the opening of the Third International Forum Woman of the Third Millennium, which began today in Moscow and will continue for two days, she said that under its wise leadership, the State of Qatar has set a model for empowering women, providing all means to enable Qatari women to become active partners in the national development process.She added that women in Qatar now play a pivotal role in the labor market, in addition to their role in nurturing and caring for families, making them key supporters of men and foundational to the stability and prosperity of the nation.Her Excellency emphasized the importance of this forum in fostering dialogue on womens issues and the challenges they face, especially in light of current crises in certain troubled regions. She highlighted the suffering of millions of women and girls in conflict areas, who are subjected to severe abuses beyond domestic violence, including displacement, blockade, starvation, and violence, stressing that these crimes require immediate international intervention to protect womens rights amidst wars and conflicts.She also noted the atrocities committed against women in Palestine and Lebanon due to brutal aggression and genocidal campaigns by the occupying Israeli forces that have persisted without pause for more than a year, resulting in over 43,000 deaths, most of whom were women, children, the elderly, and the sick. She called this one of the worst crimes in modern history, witnessed in silence by the international community.Addressing issues of peace and security, Al Sulaiti emphasized the need to empower women to participate effectively in peace processes and reconstruction efforts, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which acknowledges the vital role of women in peacemaking and addressing the impacts of violence. She added that excluding women from these processes undermines efforts to achieve sustainable peace.She expressed hope for more efforts in the coming phase to protect women in conflict areas and to include this as a key item in international law. She called for reform of the international system, underscoring the importance of a United Nations that can implement its resolutions and protect human rights. She stressed that the international community faces a true challenge to prove its commitment to holding violators of womens rights in conflict and war zones accountable.In a related context, the Deputy Speaker participated in a discussion session on the power of soft diplomacy as part of the forum's first day. She noted the importance of soft diplomacy as the popular dimension of diplomatic work. She pointed out that people-to-people communication has become stronger and more influential than government-to-government communication, with soft diplomacy now acting as a driver and guide for countries' foreign policies. She encouraged women to continue their efforts in education and digital technology to achieve the desired success of soft diplomacy for women in this third millennium.She emphasized that the State of Qatar places significant importance on educating women at all levels and in all specializations, alongside training and qualifying them in all professional sectors, which has enabled Qatari women to assume leadership positions in various fields and make effective contributions across a wide range of areas.In her remarks, she highlighted Qatars substantial influence in international and regional relations, attributing this to its utilization of soft diplomacy. She added that the State of Qatar has distinguished itself through positive relations with all nations, significant contributions to peace efforts, and combating terrorism, earning the worlds trust as a neutral mediator for resolving disputes in various regions as a result.The Deputy Speaker concluded by reiterating Qatars commitment to enhancing its soft diplomatic power through the embodiment of ideas, principles, and ethics, for a world that is safer, more prosperous, and just.The Woman of the Third Millennium International Forum serves as a platform for uniting female leaders to exchange experiences and learn about best practices to discuss the role of women in the modern world. The forum discusses the growing role of women and the challenges they face in various fields, with the participation of prominent figures and representatives from women's organizations in Russia and around the world.

Qatar is to adopt the Cardio4cities approach – a data-driven cardiovascular population health initiative – and become the regional hub for its expansion across the Middle East and North Africa, it was announced at the closing session of Qatar Foundation’s (QF) World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) 2024 yesterday.Cardio4cities, created and validated by the Novartis Foundation, is proven to rapidly improve cardiovascular health in urban populations, a statement said. It leverages the power of data to help authorities make better decisions for their healthcare systems and populations, and has been validated in three cities across three continents – Sao Paulo in Brazil, Dakar in Senegal, and Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia.“The Novartis Foundation’s Cardio4cities initiative has shown extraordinary impact in other geographies, for example in Latin America, where significant reductions in heart attack and stroke rates were achieved,” said Dr Ann Aerts, head of the Novartis Foundation.“By launching Cardio4cities in Doha, Qatar is not only joining this movement by leveraging its excellent health and data infrastructure to replicate these successes for the benefit of its population, but also demonstrating regional leadership which will hopefully inspire more countries in the Middle East to champion precision population health.”Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the world’s leading cause of death – taking more than 20mn lives per year, with up to 80 percent of these deaths occurring in low and middle-income countries. Most deaths related to cardiovascular disease are preventable.Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Hamad al-Thani, director of Public Health Department, Ministry of Public Health, explained: “Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Qatar. Noncommunicable diseases cost Qatar QR18.1bn annually, and CVDs account for 73% of that burden.“In many cases, CVDs are preventable, and that’s why we are committed to shifting our focus and approach to prevention, rather than only improving care – this is especially important for chronic diseases, as most drivers of these diseases can be addressed outside of the health facilities, in our daily life.“This is exactly why we are eagerly looking forward to implementing Cardio4cities in Qatar, and working together with different sectors and stakeholders to improve cardiovascular health in the country.”Speaking about the significance of Qatar joining the initiative, Dr Hilal Lashuel, Research, Development, and Innovation adviser to the Chairperson’s Office and executive director of Research, Development and Innovation at QF, said: “Participating in Cardio4cities offers Qatar unique opportunities to improve public health and drive innovation. Collaborating with a global network of cities allows us to share knowledge, learn from each other, and be inspired by new solutions developed in different urban settings.“This partnership will help us develop tools to capture, integrate, and analyse data, as well as scalable strategies to improve cardiovascular health at both the population and individual levels.”He added that one of the programme’s key strengths is its tailored, data-driven approach, which adapts interventions to local needs. While fostering global collaboration, Cardio4cities ensures local ownership and prioritises data privacy and security.Held under the theme ‘Humanising Health: Conflict, Equity, and Resilience’, the two-day WISH 2024 brought together over 3,000 delegates, including more than 200 global health leaders and expert speakers to discuss evidence-based ideas and practices in healthcare innovation to address the world’s most urgent global health challenges including the impact of conflict on healthcare, cancer, antimicrobial resistance, mental health and palliative care.

Ajyal Film Festival’s 'two-day Made in Qatar Shabab' programme aims to empower young filmmakers with practical skills, industry insights, and networking opportunities. With a focus on practical training and career development, Doha Film Institute said the programme offers masterclasses, panel discussions, and workshops.“Through specialised sessions that focus on practical skills and industry know-how, we aim to inspire and equip young talents to continue the legacy of local storytelling, ensuring their voices are heard both regionally and globally,” organisers said. The programme will start with 'I Made a Film, Now What?', masterclass on film distribution, aimed to equip participants with strategies for audience reach, including marketing, securing funding for future projects, and building industry connections—essential foundations for a sustainable filmmaking career.The panel 'From Short to Feature: A Journey of Personal and Professional Growth' explores the creative and professional transformation filmmakers undergo when transitioning from shorts to features. It examines the importance of proof-of-concept shorts, how they facilitate larger projects, and strategies for scaling creative vision and overcoming the unique challenges of feature-length storytelling.Shabab’s interactive workshop 'The Art of Film Pitching' will help participants develop the skills to pitch their film ideas persuasively. By focusing on storytelling, communication, and presentation, attendees will learn how to craft compelling pitches that attract producers, investors, and collaborators, enabling them to transform their ideas into tangible projects.In addition, the broader Made in Qatar programme will continue to celebrate the achievements of local filmmakers. This year’s lineup includes short films such as Alkaline by Paul Abraham and Abdulla al-Hor, I Lay for You to Sleep by Ali al-Hajri, and Can You See Me? by Dhoha Abdelsattar, showcasing Qatari talent to an international audience. The programme’s jury includes Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri, Kenyan filmmaker Debra Aroko, and Qatari director Amal al-Muftah. Ajyal is set to open tomorrow (November 16).

Initiative Positions Qatar as Strategic Economic Hub Within China’s Belt and Road InitiativeThe Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) has forged a landmark partnership agreement with Chinese investment leader Luyi Holding Group to develop a world-class industrial park in Qatar.The project aims to catalyze foreign investment, strengthen local industry, and advance Qatar's economic diversification goals in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030.The agreement was signed by H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Faisal Al-Thani, CEO of QFZ, and Mr. Yin Haijie, Chairman of Luyi Holding Group on the sidelines of the prestigious China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.This collaboration represents a significant step within China's Belt and Road Initiative, designed to enhance regional cooperation and economic development.H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad bin Faisal Al Thani, CEO of Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ), emphasized the partnership's significance: "This agreement marks a crucial milestone in Qatar's strategic drive to diversify its economy, attract foreign investment, and strengthen the localization of key industries. The planned industrial park will introduce a broad spectrum of industries that directly support Qatar's targeted cluster development."H.E. highlighted Qatar's competitive advantages, noting that "Our advanced infrastructure, progressive business regulations, and comprehensive free zones incentives have created a compelling environment that attracts global businesses. This partnership with Luyi Holding Group reinforces Qatar's position as an internationally competitive investment destination.“The new industrial park is expected to generate substantial opportunities for local companies across logistics, construction, and technology services sectors, while creating new employment opportunities, enhancing local expertise, and facilitating knowledge transfer within Qatar's industrial landscape,” H.E. added.Yin Haijie, Chairman of Luyi Holding Group, emphasized how the park aligns with the Belt and Road Initiative's goals of strengthening trade and development ties across the Middle East and beyond."Qatar's strategic location, modern infrastructure, and favourable investment climate made it the clear choice for our Middle Eastern expansion. This project will strengthen Sino-Qatari economic relations and establish Qatar as our regional operational hub," he said.”Located in Qatar's Umm Alhoul Free Zone, Phase 1 is 282,000-square-meter industrial park and will feature state-of-the-art industrial units ranging from 5,000 to 30,000 square meters, designed for immediate manufacturing and operational use.The facility aims to attract leading international companies across multiple sectors, including plastic and metal products, performance materials and solar panels.This strategic development will strengthen Qatar's industrial foundation by localizing critical industries while serving both local and regional market demands, advancing the nation's economic diversification objectives.The Belt and Road Initiative seeks to strengthen connections across Asia, Africa, and Europe through the development of new industrial communities and cities.For Qatar, this partnership represents a strategic opportunity to forge vital economic alliances and cement its position as an influential hub in global trade.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Ankara today on a working visit to the sisterly Republic of Turkey. HH the Amir was received upon his arrival at Esenboga International Airport by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, a number of senior officials and members of the Qatari Embassy.His Highness the Amir is accompanied by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and an official delegation.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani left Doha on Thursday morning, heading to Ankara for a working visit to the Republic of Turkiye, during which His Highness and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will co-chair the 10th session of the Qatari-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee.HH the Amir is accompanied by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, and an official delegation.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani performed the Istisqa (rain-seeking) prayer along with crowds of worshipers at the Lusail prayer ground on Thursday morning, reviving the Prophetic Sunnah in asking Allah the Almighty for rainfall.HH Personal Representative of HH the Amir, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and HE Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al-Thani joined the Istisqa prayer.HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, and a number of Their Excellencies the ministers also performed the prayer.In a sermon after the prayer, the Judge of the Court of Cassation and Member of the Supreme Judiciary Council, Sheikh Dr. Thaqeel Sayer Al Shammari, who led the prayer, urged worshipers to seek forgiveness and charity as causes for the for rainfall; noting that water is a great indispensable blessing, and the importance of supplication in the Istisqa prayer.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani issued on Thursday Amiri Decision No. (77) of 2024, appointing HE Lieutenant General (Pilot) Jassim bin Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Mannai as Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces.The Decision is effective as of the date of issue and is to be published in the official gazette.

QatarEnergy has signed a long-term sulfur supply agreement with OCP Nutricrops, a subsidiary of OCP Group – a world leader in plant nutrition solutions and phosphate-based fertilizers.Under the terms of the 10-year agreement, QatarEnergy will supply up to 7.5mn tons of sulfur to OCP Nutricrops beginning in the third quarter of 2024.OCP Nutricrops is a Morocco-based company responsible for developing soil nutrition solutions to address global challenges in food production and sustainability.Commenting on this occasion, HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, who is also the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, said: “We are pleased to sign this agreement, solidifying our business relationship both with OCP Nutricrops and the Kingdom of Morocco. This agreement marks a significant step in advancing cooperation between our two companies and fostering mutual growth and value for both sides.”This agreement highlights QatarEnergy’s strategy in establishing enduring relationships with reliable leaders in the fertilizers industry, as well as QatarEnergy’s commitment to support the global agricultural sector and greater food security.Qatar is one of the world’s largest exporters of sulfur, with a total annual production capacity of around 3.4mn tons, which will further increase with the commissioning of new gas production projects in the coming years.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change launched today the updated version of the Air Quality Platform on its official website.The new version offers enhanced data accuracy and a diverse range of information about air quality across all regions of the country. This update includes modifications that enable the display of all data according to the latest global standards, marking an important step toward establishing a national air quality monitoring network.HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Abdulaziz bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud highlighted in a statement that the focus on air quality aligns with the state's vision of protecting and preserving the local environment and its impact on public health, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to build a healthy and prosperous society capable of managing the countrys comprehensive development.He noted that the updated Air Quality Platform is part of the Ministry's efforts toward achieving comprehensive and sustainable development, protecting and preserving all elements of the local environment as a national heritage to be safeguarded for future generations, thereby ensuring the sustainability of national resources.Assistant Undersecretary for Environmental Affairs at the Ministry Abdulhadi Nasser Al Marri said that the launch of the platform's new version reflects national efforts to build a comprehensive air quality network. He added that, through this network, citizens can access air quality information across the country via a display screen available on the Ministrys website. He noted that the platform presents monitoring results through color-coded indicators, making it easier for the public to understand air quality levels in different areas.In this regard, Director of the Environmental Monitoring and Inspection Department Eng. Hassan Al Qasmi emphasized the Ministrys commitment to developing the Air Quality Platform to keep pace with the latest global technologies, enhancing its accuracy in accordance with international standards. The electronic system of the platform has been updated, incorporating technologies that offer a variety of information and services and allow public interaction.Assistant Director of the Environmental Monitoring and Inspection Department Abdullah Al Khulaifi noted that the Ministry has introduced technologies that improve the speed and accuracy of data transfer from the 44 air quality monitoring stations across the country to the monitoring and data analysis unit within the Environmental Monitoring and Inspection Department. He noted that this information is then displayed on the platform, enabling Ministry specialists to plan effectively and take necessary actions to maintain air quality throughout the country. (

Weather inshore until 6:00 pm on Thursday will be misty to foggy at southern areas at first, becomes mild to relatively hot daytime with some clouds, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather report, warning of poor visibility at southern areas at first.Offshore, the weather will be fine, the report added, warning of strong wind and high sea.Wind inshore will be northwesterly at a speed of 06 - 16 KT, gusting to 23 KT at times.Offshore, it will be northwesterly at a speed of 18 - 25 KT, gusting to 32 KT at times.Sea state inshore will be 2 - 4 ft, rising to 5 ft at times; while offshore will be 5 - 8 ft, rising to 10 ft at times.Visibility inshore will bee 4 - 7 km/ 2 km or less at southern areas at first, while offshore will be 5 - 10.

The history of ancient Moroccan libraries was the focus of a study day organised by Qatar National Library (QNL) as part of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture (YoC) celebrations.Titled “The Ancient Libraries of Morocco: From Preserving Manuscripts to Beacons of Knowledge,” the event traced the founding and evolution of Moroccan libraries, highlighting the key role they played in facilitating knowledge exchange both locally and overseas.The study day brought together Dr Al-Khayali Abdelmajid, head of Human Resources, Finance, and Scientific Research at the Hassania Library in Rabat, along with Dr Mustafa al-Tubi, head of the Research Team on Moroccan Manuscript Heritage at Ibn Zohr University, and Abdelfattah Boukchouf, director of the Qaraouiyine Library in Fez.Participants discussed how ancient libraries facilitated the circulation of texts within intellectual circles, serving as communication bridges between the local community and scientific institutions overseas.The discussions also touched on the future role of libraries in an increasingly digital world, reflecting on the challenges and successes that Moroccan institutions have experienced throughout their history.QNL's senior archivist Dr Moez Dridi, who moderated the study day, said the event demonstrates the institution’s commitment to promoting Arab heritage and providing insights into the history of the region.The study day is the latest in a series of initiatives that celebrate the shared history, values and heritage of Qatar and Morocco. Qatar Museums’ YoC initiative is an annual cultural exchange that strengthens Qatar’s ties with nations worldwide through long-term cultural partnerships.QNL kicked off its annual YoC celebrations in September and is planning a series of events in the coming weeks, ranging from reading circles to lectures, workshops and exhibitions on the history and traditions of Morocco, a statement added.

Born to a family of diplomats, Qatar University (QU) graduate at an early age, holder of the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani Gold Medal for academic achievement, Amal bint Ali al-Kuwari is a certified financial consultant, coach and trainer.Amal al-Kuwari’s goal is to help Qatari, Arab and other women achieve financial independence and wealth.She gave an exclusive interview to Gulf Times and said that: “My specialisation is quite unique in Qatar and will help in normalising talking about money (a taboo topic) in a normal manner as well as spreading financial literacy. I chose to work with women as my target audience, since the woman has a great impact in our society, she is the mother, sister, and daughter. She is the mainstay of every home.”She kicked off her professional career in January 2024, with a background in mindset development and wealth creation and has already a wide variety of professional women clients ranging from doctors, to VIPs, HR experts and she leads by example to impact this community.Al-Kuwari said: “By helping women I aim to develop a healthy relationship with money and my clients, through my tailored workshops, training courses, and one-on-one coaching. I empower women to achieve financial independence by understanding money psychology, investment strategies, and wealth building techniques."To make it easy, I send a pre-session questionnaire to assess and discover the trainee profile and habits, then hold with her 1 to 3 or four coaching sessions, then the follow up is done by email. I also run sessions via Zoom meetings for women from the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia."I mainly help them get away from bad spending habits i.e. age groups between 25 and 56 years old, they are given an individual financial plan to follow to either make their money grow, or even those who want to retire. Then, they have to do the hard work by themselves and commit to the agreed plan under my coaching and supervision.”Al-Kuwari combines through her unique approach, practical financial strategies with a deep understanding of mindset and behaviour change. She added: “By offering holistic guidance to women who want to take control of their financial futures. My approach is personalised, culturally relevant, and designed to inspire lasting transformation.”She concluded by saying: “I also offer practical tools for saving, investing, and growing income. My coaching and training courses are either in Arabic or English, they are designed to be accessible, easy to understand, and culturally relevant for Qatari, Arab and other women.”

In a poignant tribute to the resilience, resistance and hope of the Palestinian people, Doha Film Institute's (DFI) Ajyal 2024, will present the next installment of its ‘Voices from Palestine’ programme.Standing in solidarity with Palestinians, the programme is a depiction of Palestine in times of profound collective mourning and reflection.In a statement, DFI CEO and festival director Fatma Hassan Alremaihi said: "These films are a call across the world for recognition, justice and empathy. We are creating a space to promote the values of empathy and compassion and believe these stories will resonate far and wide to inspire and ignite bonds of solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters”.One of the highlights of the programme is From Ground Zero (Palestine, France, Qatar, Jordan, UAE/2024), an anthology of 22 short films created by filmmakers from Gaza, curated by renowned Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi. Set against the backdrop of the 2023 attacks, each film, ranging from 3-6 minutes, offers a unique and personal lens into life in Gaza under siege.

Qatar, represented by the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) and Qatar Postal Services Company (Qatar Post), participated in the 2024 session of the Universal Postal Unions (UPU) Council of Administration (CA) in Berne, Switzerland.The Qatari delegation participated in strategic discussions and committee leadership, underscoring the State's continued influence in shaping global postal standards and practices. During the UPU session, Qatar co-chaired, with Belarus Committee 4 concerned with the Development Co-operation and Technical Assistance, reaffirming its dedication to advancing the global postal sector.This leadership role enabled Qatar to support inclusive initiatives addressing disparities in postal infrastructure across UPU member states, fostering universal access to reliable postal services. Qatar's active engagement throughout the session highlighted its commitment to sustainable, innovative, and cooperative solutions for global postal systems.The session's agenda covered critical topics, including disaster risk management, quality of service enhancements, financial inclusion initiatives, and sustainable development strategies. The discussions also addressed the Quality of Service Fund (QSF) and the Integrated Quality of Service Plan (IQP), shaping postal policies and projects that will extend into 2029.Through its participation, CRA reinforced Qatar's standing on the global stage, aligning national postal policy with international standards. This engagement ensures that Qatar remains at the forefront of regulatory, operational, and policy advancements in the postal landscape, benefiting consumers, Service Providers, and other stakeholders within Qatar.CRA's active role in this UPU session underscores Qatar's dynamic contributions to the global postal community. In line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third Qatar National Development Strategy 2024 — 2030, CRA is committed to advancing Qatar's vision for sustainable, long-term growth through international collaboration and excellence in postal governance.The Universal Postal Union, established in 1874 and headquartered in Berne, is one of the oldest international organisations and a specialised agency of the UN. With 192 member countries, the UPU sets global postal standards, coordinates development initiatives, and addresses emerging challenges within the postal sector.Since becoming a UPU member in 1969, Qatar has actively contributed to promoting robust and inclusive postal services globally. As an influential member of the Council of Administration, Qatar continues to play a pivotal role in sustaining UPU operations between Universal Postal Congress sessions, addressing essential policy, regulatory, and strategic issues to advance global postal systems.

Turkish ambassador to Qatar Dr Mustafa Goksu said the Qatari-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee represents the cornerstone of bilateral relations, which have reached broader horizons and are characterised by sustainable strategic depth, becoming a model of regional and international solidarity and co-operation.In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), the ambassador said the Qatari-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee, established in 2014, provides a comprehensive institutional framework for effective and result-oriented co-operation."The committee is the highest level of co-ordination and co-operation between the two countries, with the goal of enhancing bilateral relations across various fields, including politics, economy, commerce, defense, security, education, and culture," he added.He indicated that this unique mechanism has paved the way for Turkiye and Qatar to further strengthen their fraternal bond through numerous joint initiatives, mutual support, and coordinated policies across a wide spectrum of areas.He stressed that the committee not only formalises our shared vision but also provides a direct channel for deepening the historic ties and brotherly relations that already exist between the two fraternal peoples.The ambassador highlighted that the committee has achieved important milestones over the years, 100 agreements and joint declarations signed and adopted across various sectors, including political, commercial, economic, and military domains.He emphasised that thanks to the agreements signed since the committee's inception, bilateral relations have rapidly advanced in all areas, gaining a strategic character based on mutual trust and a solid contractual foundation."We have seen substantial progress in trade and investment, with both countries emerging as key partners in each other's economic landscapes. Bilateral trade volume has significantly increased fivefold over the past ten years," he added.Dr Goksu said that there are currently over 1,000 Turkish companies operating in Qatar in various sectors, and almost 200 Qatari companies working in diverse fields in Turkiye.He also pointed out that the stock value of the Qatari direct investments in Turkiye have risen significantly, distributed across numerous sectors, including commerce, tourism, agriculture, hospitality, real estate, and food industries. On the other hand, the works undertaken by the Turkish contracting companies in Qatar to date amount to $20.16bn.The ambassador stressed that Qatari investments in Turkiye are safe, thriving, and successful, reflecting Qatari investors' trust in Turkiye and its investment climate.In the tourism and cultural field, Dr Goksu said that among the most visited tourists to Turkiye are those coming from Qatar, as their number exceeded 200,000 tourists in 2023 alone.

Qatar's ambassador to Turkiye HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Nasser bin Jassim al-Thani said that, over the past nine years, the Qatari-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee has witnessed a strong incentive for developing bilateral relations and continuing joint strategic coordination, thanks to the great support provided by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), the ambassador said that, thanks to the great support that the Qatari-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee has been provided with, alongside the continued joint strategic coordination, more than 100 agreements have been signed between Qatar and Turkiye over the course of nine years.The ambassador noted that the organising of the Supreme Strategic Committee meeting runs on several levels, pointing out the coordination between the various parties and ministries concerned with the agreements and their provisions, technically and legally, and the technical and logistical arrangements for the delegations. The two countries' foreign ministries are usually responsible for co-ordinating and following up on the course of negotiations related to the agreements between the various ministries and institutions concerned on both sides, he added, indicating that the diplomatic missions of both parties are working to support and enhance these efforts, and are studying, exploring and anticipating many new aspects of co-operation, which are later crystallised to become a tangible reality.He highlighted the importance of holding the 10th meeting of the committee in Ankara, which will include a bilateral meeting between the leaderships of the two countries, followed by a meeting of the delegations of the two sides, during which the new agreements will be signed.The meeting's agenda is expected to include discussions on some topics of mutual interest and prominent regional issues, in addition to topics related to bilateral relations between the two countries, he added, pointing out that the meeting is expected to conclude with a joint statement.The ambassador highlighted the connection between holding this meeting and the great rapprochement between the two countries and the close ties that unite them, especially since Qatari-Turkish bilateral relations have always been characterised by their stability and solidity over the past years, despite the change in global dynamics and regional contexts.He added that this significant annual meeting contributes to consolidating outcomes, reviewing the signed agreements, and discussing any pending items or issues between the two parties, indicating that the agreements signed therein are considered an organisational framework that ensures the success and sustainability of cooperation in various fields.In this context, the ambassador highlighted the distinguished Qatari-Turkish bilateral relations, saying that the Qatari-Turkish relations differ from other international relations in their distinction, stability and continuity, explaining that they have branched out to include all sectors at all levels, such as strategic planning, trade, economic, cultural, educational, technological, communications and other fields.