Qatar National Day 2024: Inveterate history, distinguished and illustrious journey, marked by extraordinary achievements

The State of Qatar is set to celebrate its National Day (QND) Tomorrow. The event is annually observed on Dec. 18, marking the honorable legacy of the founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, who, nearly 146 years ago, upon assuming the reins of leadership on Dec. 18, 1878, laid the enduring foundations of the modern nation, establishing the pillars upon which the State of Qatars development, progress, and sovereignty have been built.Through his unwavering commitment, he preserved the dignity of the people of Qatar and forged Qatar into a unified, resilient, and sovereign entity, standing tall with unmatched integrity. Under his leadership, Qatar emerged as a cohesive nation that welcomes both its brothers and allies, offers refuge to the distressed, honors its pledges, respects the rights of its neighbors, and steadfastly upholds the principles of honor, ethics, and moral values.Currently, Qatar serves as a shining example to the world, an epitome of security, stability, and resilience, capable of achieving unparalleled rates of development while ensuring the highest standards of living and dignity for its citizens and residents alike.December 18 each year will remain a historic milestone, uniting the hearts of the people of Qatar. The progress and prosperity achieved by the State of Qatar unequivocally reflect the enduring legacy and vision of the long trek of hard work and persistent effort initiated by the founding father, and carried forward by successive leaders of Qatar, who have remained steadfast in achieving the ultimate goal of dignity, honor, and advancement for the nation and all those who live on this blessed land.QND stands as a significant symbol in Qatar's history and is a cherished occasion for all citizens, offering an opportunity to renew the pledge and loyalty to the leader of the prosperous journey, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. Additionally, the robust bond between the people and leadership, coupled with major strategic initiatives, has propelled the countrys remarkable development in record time, with Qatar emerging as a global model of success, stability, and prosperity, underpinned by economic and social progress grounded in the values and foundations passed down through generations.By the grace of Allah, The Almighty, and the prudence and guidance of the wise leadership, the State of Qatar continues its path of development and construction, moving forward confidently and steadily toward the future in the service of the nations advancement and in preparing the people of Qatar to be capable of giving, achieving, excelling, while contributing to the construction and protection of the beloved country, safeguarding its identity, interests, rights, and resources. This is achieved through internalizing knowledge, dedication, and sincerity in work, and by drawing on self-sufficiency in all aspects of life and in every area of contribution and productivity within this cherished nation.More tellingly, 2024 has been a remarkable one, filled with successes, milestones, excellence, and distinction for Qatar in a variety of fields both domestically and globally, and by the grace of Allah, The Almighty, the nation has become a hub for successful diplomacy and mediation, and is witnessing one of the fastest economic growth surges in the world. It is now the leading producer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) globally and has emerged as a major player in the field of foreign investments.In addition, the nation continues to achieve remarkable successes across political, economic, scientific, cultural, social, and legislative spheres, as 2024 has been marked by dynamic Qatari political and diplomatic activity, contributing significantly to further successes and achievements in the State of Qatar's foreign relations across the gamut of political, economic, investment, military, and defense arenas. The nation has fostered its strategic partnerships through an open and measured diplomacy, rooted in mutual respect and shared interests.Charted by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, these diplomatic efforts have been furthered by his insightful guidance in building the foundation of Qatar's economic independence, safeguarding its national security, and reinforcing its bilateral relations with all nations around the globe.HH the Amir undertook a series of diplomatic trips to numerous Arab, Islamic, and friendly nations, and subsequently Doha has emerged as a global hub for political, diplomatic, and economic engagement, hosting an array of visits by heads of state, senior officials, and prominent international figures, thereby underscoring the widespread respect and appreciation for Qatar's foreign policy, as well as its significant contributions to global political, economic, diplomatic, and developmental efforts, in addition to its commitment to dialogue as a means of bolstering international peace and security as a bedrock of its approach.In 2024, the State of Qatar hosted a series of strategic dialogues and political consultations with a host of sisterly and friendly nations and remained steadfast in its participation in key international forums, including the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.In November, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, attended the award ceremony for the 8th edition of the HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award (ACE), held in San Jose, Costa Rica.As part of the nations consistent progress, HH the Amir issued a decree on Oct. 29, 2024, inviting all citizens who have reached the age of 18 to participate in a national referendum on the amendments to the country's permanent constitution. The decree established a national referendum commission vested with the responsibility of organizing, managing, and announcing the results of the referendum. It specified that voting would take place from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, with the results to be declared within 24 hours of the conclusion of the referendum.In its regular weekly session on Oct. 28, the Shura Council unanimously approved the proposed constitutional amendments and forwarded them to HH the Amir, following a review of the report from the special committee tasked with studying amendments to certain provisions of the constitution. The session featured constructive and in-depth discussions, reflecting the members' commitment to strengthening national unity, upholding the principles of justice and the rule of law, and ensuring the nation's supreme interests, in line with the directives of HH the Amir.Upon completion of the voting and the tallying of votes, HE Minister of Interior and Chairperson of the General Referendum Committee, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, announced that the proposed constitutional amendments had received 90.6% approval from the total valid votes cast.On Dec. 12, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, issued a decree approving the general state budget for the fiscal year 2025, with HE Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari announcing that the total projected revenues for the State of Qatar's 2025 budget amount to QR 197 billion, reflecting a decrease of 2.5%, compared to the total revenues of the 2024 fiscal budget.Regarding the total expenditures, His Excellency stated that they amount to QR 210.2 billion, marking an increase of 4.6% over 2024, emphasizing that the allocations for the health and education sectors reached QR 41.4 billion, representing 20% of the overall budget. This allocation underscores Qatars unwavering commitment to human capital development policies and boosting the quality of public services.In addition, necessary financial resources have been designated for strategic sectors, including trade and industry, research and innovation, tourism, digital transformation, and information technology, to back efforts aimed at diversifying the economy and achieving sustainable development. Furthermore, the provision for salaries and wages in the 2025 budget has been increased by 5.5% over 2024, totaling QR 67.5 billion, whilst the budget for major capital expenditures has seen a modest increase of 1.4% to ensure the consistent implementation of strategic and developmental projects.Throughout the year, and in alignment with the nations economic priorities, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Economic Affairs and Investment, chaired four meetings of the Council, which were convened at the Amiri Diwan.In October, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani enjoined the Cabinet to issue instructions for the preparation and implementation of a comprehensive package of economic initiatives aimed at supporting the private sector and fostering its participation in the national economy.These initiatives included the forgiveness of outstanding loans for Qatari firms that benefited from the national guarantees program, which was designed to assist the private sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, new initiatives were introduced to provide short-term financing for working capital to those Qatari firms that had previously benefited from the aforementioned program. The Cabinets statement confirmed that this royal initiative was intended to support private sector firms in addressing the economic repercussions stemming from the measures implemented to combat the spread of the pandemic.Last June, HE Minister of Municipality, Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah, issued a ministerial decision to reduce the rental value of land in the industrial zones under the Ministry's jurisdiction, in pursuit of fostering the growth of the national economy, bolstering the private sector's role in economic diversification, and contributing to the ongoing development trajectory of the nation.In September, HH the Amir promulgated a law concerning the localization of employment within the private sector, elevating the efforts to attract a talented national workforce to the private sector, and expanding the opportunities for enhancing the competencies of the national workforce, while encouraging the private sector to absorb and nurture national talent.In November, under the patronage of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thanis, HE Minister of Labor Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, inaugurated the National Strategy for an Effective and Highly Productive Workforce 2024-2030, emphasizing that this new strategy intends to increase the Qatari nationals engagement in the labor market by empowering and qualifying them, particularly within the private sector. The strategy seeks to enhance the ability to attract skilled labor while ensuring the protection of their rights, in addition to driving increased productivity, stimulating innovation, and optimizing efficiency across various sectors, as well as bolstering performance and productivity of workers in the public sector.The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) launched its strategic plan for 2024-2030, in observance of Qatar's Human Rights Day, which falls annually on Nov. 11. The event was held under the theme of human rights: a sustained force toward a better future.Last May, HH the Amir issued an Amiri decree establishing the National Planning Council, with the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers clarifying that the decree ushered in a new era in the strategic and developmental planning of the state, positioning the country to better align with the ongoing developmental renaissance across multiple sectors.Last January, the State of Qatar launched its third National Development Strategy for 2024-2030, marking the final phase on the path toward achieving the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030, which was unveiled in 2008. The strategy, in question, is dedicated to ensuring steadfast preparedness to surmount emerging challenges while steering Qatar toward becoming one of the worlds leading nations by 2030, in addition to achieving the sustainable development and ensuring a high quality of life for all citizens and future generations.The new strategy will prioritize enhancing competitiveness, fostering innovation, and supporting institutional excellence, while striving to balance sustainable growth with social cohesion, in line with national outcomes.Recognizing that education is the cornerstone underpinning the State of Qatars advancement and the prosperity of society, the nation has, since the inception of its blessed journey, embraced the principle of investing in human capital, positioning it at the vanguard of its national priorities. Notwithstanding the significant strides the state has made in achieving comprehensive developmental and economic progress, the ambitions of its visionary leadership remain boundless.The leadership consistently strives for excellence, seeking the highest aspirations for the dignity, welfare, rights, and aspirations of its people. With the commencement of the current academic year on Sept. 1, 136,802 students enrolled in 303 public schools and kindergartens began their studies, marking the official launch of the 2024-2025 academic year.On Sept. 2, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, launched the Ministry of Education and Higher Education's Strategy for 2024-2030, under the theme: "Igniting the Spark of Learning", to advance the education sector in the State of Qatar by ensuring the provision of high-quality education, promoting equal opportunities, continuously developing the skills of educators, and fostering the educational environment through the adoption of cutting-edge pedagogical practices.In alignment with the nation's commitment to the advancement of knowledge and the recognition of academic excellence, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, sponsored the 17th Education Excellence Day Award ceremony at the Sheraton Doha Hotel, and honored the recipients of the 2024 award, a pantheon of 60 individuals, including holders of PhD and master's degrees, as well as graduates of both undergraduate and secondary education.Additionally, outstanding students from both preparatory and elementary levels were recognized, alongside outstanding educators, schools, and exceptional scientific research.Last May, HH the Amir presided over the award ceremony that honored the winners of the sixth edition of the State Incentive and Appreciation Awards in science, arts and literature at the Amiri Diwan, with 13 outstanding individuals, both men and women, being honored for their remarkable contributions to their respective fields, further underscoring Qatar's unyielding commitment to fostering talent and innovation.Last January, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Than, formally inaugurated the Qatar National Archives located in Musheireb, an institution that operates under the auspices of the Amiri Diwan and toured the facility, familiarizing himself with the archives' infrastructure and its contents, which are devoted to documenting the nations history, as well as organizing the collection, preservation, and oversight of historical records and documents.In March, the State of Qatar launched the Doha Arabic Book Award, an initiative that stands as part of the nation's leadership efforts to support and honor Arab culture and the individuals contributing to its preservation and promotion.In alignment with its commitment to the health and well-being of both its citizens and residents, the State of Qatar has dedicated itself to the creation of a world-class public healthcare system over the past few years, guided by the principles outlined in the Qatar National Vision 2030, and made substantial investments in promoting the health and welfare of its population, which culminated in significant advancements in healthcare services.Recent statistics revealed that by the end of 2023, the number of public hospitals and long-term care facilities reached 19, with the number of public health centers, including those operated by the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and others managed by the Qatar Red Crescent Society (CRCS) under an agreement with the Ministry of Public Health, rising to 35 centers distributed across the country.Last September, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, formally launched the National Health Strategy 2024-2030, titled 'Health for All.', devoted to transforming the State of Qatars healthcare sector, ensuring the provision of a high-quality standard of living for all members of the community, with the aim of positioning Qatar as one of the premier countries for family life, while simultaneously promoting the nations standing on the global stage within this critical sector.Last April, Her Highness Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, formally launched Qatar Precision Health Institute (QPHI), to consolidate the efforts of key health and genomics initiatives in the country, namely the Qatar Biobank and Qatar Genome Program, in pursuit of advancing the State of Qatar's commitment to personalized medicine and its application across the healthcare system.QPHI stands as a testament to the nation's vision to harness the power of scientific research and innovation to enhance public health, spearheading the development of precision healthcare in Qatar by adopting a personalized and data-driven approach that maximizes the potential of emerging technologies to optimize patient-centered healthcare outcomes.Last July, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs inaugurated the Medical Care and Research Center, that operates under Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), as part of the State of Qatars unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare services. This cutting-edge facility is dedicated to enhancing clinical practices and fostering the development of precision medicine by conducting rigorous clinical trials aimed at furthering the nations healthcare capabilities. Additionally, Last October, the PHCC launched its third strategic plan 2024-2030, entitled 'The First Choice for Our Communitys Health.'.The State of Qatar has unequivocally excelled itself in the area of clean energy and continued throughout the year 2024 to further its position and leadership in the global gas industry.Last February, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, laid the foundation stone for Ras Laffan Petrochemical Complex in the Ras Laffan Industrial City. This ambitious project is one of the largest petrochemical ventures globally and is poised to elevate Qatars petrochemical production capacity to approximately 14 million tons annually by the final quarter of 2026. And with an investment totaling six billion dollars, it stands as the single largest investment in the petrochemical sector in the history of QatarEnergy.On Feb. 25, the State of Qatar announced a significant expansion of the North Field, thereby increasing the Qatars liquefied natural gas (LNG) production capacity, raising the annual output from 77 million tons to 142 million tons before the end of 2030, underscoring Qatar's unwavering commitment to fostering its strategic role in global energy markets, while simultaneously advancing its clean energy initiatives.Throughout 2024, QatarEnergy has entered into an array of new agreements aimed at supplying several nations with LNG, naphtha, and sulfur, while also undertaking offshore exploration operations along the coastlines of a range of countries. The firm has secured multiple contracts for the construction of LNG carriers, bringing the total number of vessels ordered as part of its fleet expansion program to 128, including 24 giant Q-Max class carriers.In addition, QatarEnergy has awarded four major engineering, procurement, construction, and installation contracts worth $6 billion related to the next phase of the development of the Al Shaheen offshore oil field, the largest of its kind in Qatar, with the objective of increasing production by approximately 100,000 barrels per day.In a further testament to its leadership in the energy sector, QatarEnergy has, likewise, unveiled its plans to construct a new monumental solar power plant in the Dukhan region, set to be one of the largest solar power plants globally. Interestingly, with a production capacity of 2,000 megawatts, the facility will nearly double Qatars solar electricity generation capacity, contributing approximately 4,000 megawatts of solar power by 2030.Under the patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, HH the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani, laid the foundation stone for the Blue Ammonia Plant project last November at the Mesaieed Industrial City, positioning itself as the worlds first and largest blue ammonia facility, with an annual production capacity of 1.2 million tons. The facility is set to commence operations in the second quarter of 2026, with a total investment value of QR 4.4 billion.Last April, the Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (KM1) Kahramaa, launched the Qatar National Renewable Energy Strategy (QNRES), aimed at diversifying and increasing the utilization of renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy, and incorporating them into the national electricity mix, by virtue of the high-quality solar energy resources, with Kahramaa stating that the launch of the strategy is an ambitious step that will yield future benefits for the energy sector in terms of economic advantages, environmental impact, and energy security.Early in December 2024, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, officially launched the Qatar National Food Security Strategy 2030, as part of the State of Qatars strategies and plans for food security, in pursuit of achieving sustainable food security through guiding principles that include promoting wholesome and sustainable consumption habits, ensuring food safety and quality, supporting sustainability and climate change adaptation, and fostering effective partnerships.Last November, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) inaugurated its strategic framework for the period 2024-2030, developed under the overarching theme "Together towards a sustainable environment for a better future", in pursuit of establishing an enduring environment in harmony with the nations developmental trajectory, while ensuring resilience in navigating the potential effects of climate change. The strategy underscores the imperative of protecting the environment and its natural resources. And in February, MOECC launched an air quality platform for public access via its official website as part of its complementary effortIn February, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MOCIT) formally unveiled the Digital Agenda 2030, in consistent with the State of Qatars ongoing digital advancement, thereby constituting the definitive roadmap for Qatar's digital transformation, designed to achieve the objectives outlined in the third National Development Strategy, in full alignment with the broader vision articulated in the Qatars National Vision 2030.The State of Qatar envisions a comprehensive digital transformation by 2030, with aspirations to position itself as a formidable global contender in areas such as smart cities, E-government, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, including AI and the metaverse. This ambitious transformation is projected to generate substantial economic dividends while reinforcing Qatar's stature as a preeminent hub for digital technology globally.On Dec. 10, 2024, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, inaugurated Fanar The Arab Artificial Intelligence Project, during the opening of the World Summit AI Qatar 2024, in Doha.The project is a salient milestone that reflects the State of Qatars commitment to promoting the omnipresence of the Arabic language, and the Arab and Islamic culture in AI era. It comes by virtue of the productive collaboration between the MOCIT and Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development (QF).Last June, the Ministry of Municipality unveiled its newly developed strategy, which is anchored in three core priorities: excellence in service delivery and digital transformation, enhancement of food security, and advancement of the overall quality of life, underscoring the State of Qatars unwavering efforts to leverage innovative approaches to address critical areas of national development.Qatar has meticulously cultivated a state-of-the-art, integrated, and sustainable transportation ecosystem that spans land, air, and sea, effectively positioning the nation at the vanguard of global transportation networks, thereby facilitating the successful hosting of major global events and enabling the provision of environmentally conscious mobility solutions.Concerning Hamad International Airport (HIA), it has ascended to a preeminent global status, commemorating its 10th anniversary in 2024, since its operational commencement. And over the course of its first decade, HIA has consistently delivered extraordinary travel experiences to passengers transiting through Doha to destinations around the world.During this period, it has garnered numerous prestigious accolades, including three occasions as the worlds best airport, while also securing the second position in the Middle East for air connectivity. And from May 2014 to May 2024, HIA has efficiently processed 325.1 million passengers, facilitated by its continually expanding and state-of-the-art facilities.In 2024, Qatar's ports played a profound role in enhancing maritime trade flows both domestically and globally, witnessing a 23% increase in transshipment volumes, with the State of Qatar signing new cooperation agreements and memoranda aimed at bolstering the strategic position of Hamad Port, as Qatar's primary gateway for trade with the world to reinforce the port's prominence and optimize investment. Currently, the port is directly and indirectly connected to over 100 maritime destinations worldwide through over 28 shipping lines operated by a range of global shipping firms.More tellingly, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) continues to pursue the objectives of the Qatar's National Vision 2030 by executing comprehensive infrastructure and public building development projects across the nation to position Qatar as one of the most advanced nations globally in this sector. And Ashghal currently oversees a broad range of infrastructure programs throughout the country, some of which have earned international accolades for their excellence.In June 2024, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani inaugurated the Al-Semaisma project, one of the latest Ministry of Municipalitys initiatives.Managed by the Qatari Diar real estate investment firm, the project represents an investment of QR20 billion and spans an area of 8 million square meters. Upon completion, it is anticipated to become a new landmark in Qatar, further promoting the country's iconic landmarks and distinctive tourism destinations.In the quest for safeguarding the security of the nation and its citizens, the Qatar Armed Forces with their diverse branches, alongside the Ministry of Interior and its operators have been receiving foremost care from HH the Amir and his sagacious government through outfitting them with the state-of-the-art accoutrements and weapons, in addition to their participation in military trainings at home and abroad with the forces of friendly and sisterly nations to ensure they remain vigilant guardian of the nation's security and the shield that stands in defense of the countrys achievements, interests and territory.On Jan. 23, 2024, HH the Amir Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani inaugurated the Qatar Amiri Air Forces No.5 Ababil (F15 QA) strategic fighter jet wing at Al Udeid Air Base. And on Nov.30, the State of Qatars flag was held aloft on the strategic transport and support vessel 'Al Fulk' and the signing of its handover to the Qatari Amiri Navy. The ceremony of holding the Qatari flag aloft took place in La Spezia, Italy.In 2024, new batches of students have been graduated from Qatars military colleges, while on Dec.11, 2024, the Ministry of Defense launched the Defense Digitalization Compass at Ahmed bin Mohammed Military College, with the objective of transforming the Qatar Armed Forces into a more efficient, information-driven, knowledge-based, and networked organization, in pursuit of bolstering the high efficient digitization capabilities within its operating forces.During 2024, the State of Qatar steadfastly proceeded with its humanitarian role on the regional and global stages by extending a helping hand to those in need all over the world, as its flags of humanitarian work have been vibrant and ubiquitous, with the country providing financial, relief and medical aid to states, institutions, and peoples afflicted by persistent natural disasters, crises, wars and conflicts in all hotspots and disaster-stricken territories on the Earth.Last November, the Hamad bin Khalifa Charitable Foundation was established to proceed with the process of giving and relief. The foundation aims to improve the living conditions of needy people through providing support and social care in education, health and social development, in addition to identifying the beneficiaries needs and meeting them at home and abroad.