Qatar

Inshore weather until 6:00 pm on Friday will be relatively hot to hot during the day, with some clouds at times, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather report.Offshore, it be hazy sometimes with some clouds, the report added.Wind inshore will be mainly northwesterly - northeasterly at a speed of 05 - 15 KT.Offshore, it will be variable, mainly northwesterly - northeasterly at a speed of 03 - 13 KT.Sea state inshore will be 1 - 2 ft, while offshore will be 1 - 3 ft.Visibility inshore and offshore will be 4 - 9 km.

HE Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari met with Minister of Finance of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Domanski.On the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) in Washington DC.The meetings focused on bilateral relations and aspects of co-operation.

HE Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari met Thursday with Minister of Oil and Gas of the State of Libya Dr Khalifa Abdul Sadiq, on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG), currently underway in Washington DC, USA.The meeting focused on bilateral relations and explored aspects of co-operation and the key economic, investment and trade developments.

HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al-Thani attended the final rounds of Meqdam Shooting Championship 2025 at the Lusail Shooting Club.The championship finals will run over three days. Day 1 featured the 25-meter pistol shooting competition. On day 2, the 50-meter rifle shooting competition will take place and the event will wrap up on day 3 with shotgun competition.At the end of the first day's finals, Nasser Salem Hamad Al Sunaid from the Ministry of Defense, Class of 2017 (Batch 7) claimed the first place and Mohammed Abdullah Al Naama from the Ministry of Interior, Class of 2019 (Batch 11) finished second. Abdullah Ibrahim Taimur from Qatar Chemical Company Ltd., Class of 2016 (Batch 4) came third.The awards ceremony for the winners will take place on the final day of the championship.The event was attended by senior officers of the Qatar Armed Forces.

The Regional Office of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) for the Gulf States and Yemen in Doha marked the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace with a special event held at the United Nations House in Doha.The event was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and the Green Zone Foundation, bringing together officials, ambassadors from non-Arabic-speaking African nations accredited to Qatar, and other distinguished guests. A Letter of Intent was signed between Unesco and the Green Zone Foundation during the event.The celebration featured presentations on various initiatives and projects promoting Arabic language in some African nations, emphasising its role as a tool for mutual understanding in building inclusive communities through education, preserving shared cultural heritage, and fostering peace, regional integration, and diplomatic dialogue.The gathering brought together approximately 35 diplomats, academics, cultural experts, and media professionals to highlight the richness of Arabic culture in Africa and its key role in strengthening peace, unity, and mutual understanding across the continent. Discussions explored Arabic literature, calligraphy, music, and culinary traditions, underscoring the deep-rooted presence of Arabic culture in the daily lives of millions across Africa, making it a powerful force for identity and social cohesion. The event served as a platform to examine Arabic as a principal tool for cultural diplomacy, promoting peace, stability, and unity through diversity, with a particular focus on Africa. It also showcased recent efforts by African nations to integrate Arabic-speaking diaspora communities into their societies.The discussions emphasised the importance of multilateralism and diplomacy in addressing global challenges, aligning with United Nations principles, particularly in enhancing cultural exchange and building lasting partnerships for a more peaceful and inclusive future in Africa.Director of the Department of International Organisations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sheikha Hanouf bint Abdulrahman al-Thani highlighted in her speech that this celebration reflects the global commitment to peace and underscores the importance of international co-operation and constructive dialogue in building a safer, more stable, and just world.Sheikha Hanouf stressed Qatar’s unique approach to fostering multilateral diplomacy, through active engagement in regional and international organisations, supporting UN initiatives, and participating in mediation efforts to resolve conflicts.She added that Qatar has hosted numerous rounds of negotiations between opposing parties, leading to significant agreements that have advanced peace and stability.The nation has also reinforced its commitment to the UN by hosting several UN offices and collaborating with humanitarian and development organisations under its umbrella, Sheikha Hanouf also praised Qatar’s sustained efforts in preserving and promoting the Arabic language, particularly within the African context, noting Qatar’s establishment of several institutions and initiatives dedicated to elevating the status of Arabic, including the Qatar Arabic Language Center, which develops Arabic curricula and teaching methods abroad, particularly in Africa.She highlighted Qatar’s support for national institutions such as Qatar Charity and Education Above All, which have backed a range of educational projects across African nations, including building schools, providing Arabic curricula, and training teachers. These initiatives have expanded educational access and strengthened Arabic as a tool for cultural dialogue.She added that Qatar has supported Arabic-language media in Africa, through cultural channels and initiatives that highlight Arabic identity within the African context, encouraging intercultural dialogue. She concluded that relations between nations are built on mutual understanding, and language is the most vital tool in achieving this.Arabic, with its humanitarian, intellectual, and spiritual legacy, serves as a bridge connecting African and Arab societies.Director of the Department of International Organisations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy, emphasising that celebrating the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace presents an opportunity to renew the commitment to the values that unite peoples.Through its policies, she stated, Qatar affirms that multilateralism is not an option but a necessity for building a more stable and prosperous world.

Honour Wholeness, the pioneering wellness movement founded by visionary Qatari entrepreneur Joujou Al Fardan, proudly introduces Huriya at Honour Fire, a radiant new space devoted to the liberating energy of movement, now open in the heart of Qanat Quartier, The Pearl, Doha.Inspired by the element of Fire, Huriya is a sanctuary for dynamic transformation—a place where discipline meets freedom and sweat becomes sacred. Through powerful spin and dance sessions, we are invited to move with intention, fuel their inner flame, and reconnect with their ability to alchemize emotion into empowerment. “We honour our freedom by setting energy in motion,” the Huriya philosophy states. “By creating heat in our bodies, we tap into our transformative power—fueling our discipline, confidence and ability to alchemize.”At the core of Honour Fire is Cycledelic, a revolutionary indoor cycling experience that blends physical intensity with spiritual depth. Designed to engage body, mind, and soul, Cycledelic takes riders on an immersive journey of release, remembrance, reconnection, and rebirth.Cycledelic is a complete journey—one that allows you to feel free from judgment, fully present in the moment, and deeply connected to those around you and your community. This experience inspires us to believe that movement heals—that the soul is nourished through motion. It reminds us that every cycle in our lives deserves to be honored, for it is through these moments that we grow and learn. We truly believe that the Joy of inhabiting our bodies arises when we believe in ourselves, when we create, and when we heal.For over eight years, Honour Wholeness has remained devoted to nurturing the full spectrum of well-being—mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. With each space representing one of the four natural elements, Air, Earth and now Fire – Huriya.Huriya—it is a call to awaken, to sweat, to dance, to spin, and to remembrance. A space where energy flows freely, confidence is cultivated, and wholeness is ignited from the inside out.

The Joint Security Committee between the State of Qatar and the French Republic held a virtual meeting on Thursday, as part of the third edition of the Qatari-French Strategic Dialogue, with the aim of strengthening bilateral cooperation and exchanging expertise in the security field.The Qatari side was headed by Head of the Organizations and International Relations Section at the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Interior Brigadier Khalid Ali Al Kaabi, while the French side was led by Director of European and International Affairs at the French Ministry of Interior Pierre Reynaud de Lamotte.The meeting discussed a number of items on its agenda aimed at supporting the course of cooperation between the two sides in the coming period.

Abuissa Consulting, a subsidiary of Abuissa Holding, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Syrian companies—Hajjar and Partners and Sky Group—in a significant step toward fostering regional economic collaboration and development.The MoU, signed in Doha, marks the beginning of a strategic dialogue aimed at identifying and assessing potential joint ventures and business opportunities in Syria. The three parties have agreed to work together in areas including infrastructure development and reconstruction, trade and commercial activities, technology transfer and innovation, and other mutually agreed sectors. This initiative also reflects the growing role of the private sector in aligning with the Qatari leadership’s vision of supporting regional stability and development, particularly in aiding Syria’s recovery.This MOU reflects a shared vision for regional cooperation and reconstruction efforts and lays the foundation for deeper collaboration. The MoU was signed by senior representatives from all three companies during a signing ceremony attended by key stakeholders and media.Speaking at the event, [Mr. Ashraf Abuissa], [Chairman] at Abuissa Consulting, emphasized the importance of this partnership:Mr. Ashraf Abuissa “This agreement is a testament to our belief in the power of cross-border collaboration. It also underscores our commitment as part of the Qatari private sector to contribute in line with our country’s broader vision of supporting neighboring nations. We are confident that through this strategic partnership, we will unlock new growth avenues and play a meaningful role in Syria’s rebuilding journey.”Also, speaking at this event, [Mr. Talal Hajjar], [Co-founder] at Hajjar and Partners, highlighted the significance of this collaboration:Mr. Talal Hajjar “This partnership reflects our strong belief in the importance of regional cooperation and the shared responsibility of rebuilding Syria’s future. By aligning with forward-thinking partners like Abuissa Consulting, we aim to harness strategic opportunities that not only benefit our companies but also contribute meaningfully to Syria’s economic revitalization. We are eager to explore the positive impact this collaboration will bring.”[Mr. Haytham Joud], [Founder & CEO] at Sky Group, with optimism for the path ahead commented:Mr. Haytham Joud “The signing of this MoU marks a vital step toward creating sustainable business ventures that align with Syria’s development needs. At Sky Group, we are committed to innovation and regional synergy, and this collaboration stands as a promising gateway for growth, mutual value creation, and long-term stability. We look forward to turning vision into actionable outcomes with our partners.”The parties plan to begin detailed feasibility assessments immediately and will explore forming binding agreements in the future as opportunities develop.About Abuissa ConsultingAbuissa Consulting is part of Abuissa Holding, one of Qatar’s largest and most diversified business conglomerates. It provides strategic advisory services across a range of industries including infrastructure, energy, and trade.About Hajjar and PartnersHajjar and Partners is an established investment group with diversified interests across key sectors, including real estate, trading, logistics, MEP, and others. By fostering innovation, operational excellence, and strategic partnerships, the company is committed to building a strong and sustainable investment ecosystem across its subsidiaries.About Sky GroupSky Group is a leading company in the fields of manufacturing, distribution, hospitality, services, and investment, based in Syria and Lebanon. It partners with leading global brands and boasts a strong industry reputation.For media inquiries, please contact:[email protected]

The Pakistani embassy hosted a grand reception to mark Pakistan Day — a celebration rich with history, pride, and diplomatic warmth. More than 700 guests filled the grand ballroom, a vibrant tapestry of cultures and communities brought together to honour Pakistan’s journey and its bonds with Qatar.Among them were Qatari dignitaries, senior officials, ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, influential business figures, and members of the Pakistani community.The evening unfolded with elegance and purpose. The gathering was graced by the presence of notable figures, including HE Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie, Minister of Environment and Climate Change; HE Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs; and Ibrahim Yousuf Fakhro, Director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.As the national anthems of Pakistan and Qatar resonated through the hall, the atmosphere turned reverent. Muhammad Aamer, Pakistan’s ambassador to Qatar, took to the podium, extending a heartfelt welcome.His speech, both reflective and forward-looking, brought to life the legacy of Pakistan Day — a commemoration of the 1940 Lahore Resolution, a turning point that ultimately led to Pakistan’s independence in 1947.He spoke of resilience and unity, of sacrifices made and dreams realised, painting a portrait of a nation continually striving for progress.The ambassador also celebrated the enduring relationship between Pakistan and Qatar established in 1972 and growing ever stronger. He highlighted the recent visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Qatar last October, a key moment that expanded bilateral co-operation across trade, defence, education and technology.One of the evening’s most cherished highlights was the mention of the ‘Manzar: Art and Architecture from Pakistan 1940 to Present Day’ exhibition at the National Museum of Qatar. The exhibition, a result of close cultural collaboration, was brought to life under the patronage of HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.In recognition of her pivotal role, she was honoured by the government of Pakistan with the Hilal-e-Pakistan — a symbol of gratitude and admiration.The ambassador concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s principled support for the Palestinian and Kashmiri peoples, urging international unity in the face of injustice.He paid glowing tribute to the nearly 300,000 Pakistanis contributing to Qatar’s development across diverse sectors, including healthcare, education, finance and construction. The evening stood as a powerful testament to friendship, solidarity, and shared aspirations — a celebration not just of Pakistan’s past, but of a future shaped together with Qatar.

Qatar Tourism organized an event in honor of Mr. Wassim Daageh, former General Manager of W Doha Hotel and Residences, part of the Marriott International group, to recognize his remarkable contributions during 15 years of dedicated service to Qatar’s hospitality industry. The special event took place at The St. Regis Hotel in Doha. Mr. Omar Al Jaber, Chief of the Tourism Development Sector at Qatar Tourism and Acting Shared Services Director at Visit Qatar, presented Mr. Daageh with a certificate of appreciation and a trophy, signed by Mr. Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chair of the Board of Directors at Visit Qatar, in recognition of his invaluable achievements.Mr. Daageh made a lasting impact on Qatar’s hospitality sector through a series of influential initiatives, from his close collaborations with Qatar Tourism, particularly during the FIFA World Cup 2022 and the Qatar Grand Prix, to his efforts in managing international renowned restaurants in Doha to the highest standards, which significantly enhanced the city’s tourism and dining scene. Mr. Daageh was recently appointed as the General Manager of The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort in the Sultanate of Oman.

HE Governor-General of Solomon Islands Sir David Tiva Kapu received the credentials of Ali bin Saad Al-Hajri as (non-resident) Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to Solomon Islands.HE the Ambassador conveyed the greetings of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to HE Governor-General of Solomon Islands, and His Highness' wishes for good health and happiness to him, and to the government and people of Solomon Islands continued progress and prosperity.For his part, HE Governor-General of Solomon Islands entrusted HE the Ambassador with his greetings to HH the Amir, wishing him good health and happiness, and the State of Qatar continued progress and prosperity.

An official source at the Department of Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on Qatari citizens planning to visit the Kingdom of Thailand, starting from May 1, to fill the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) at least 72 hours before travel, through the official website:https://tdac.immigration.go.th

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met with Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who is currently visiting the country.During the meeting, they reviewed cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them, in addition to a number of topics of common interest.HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed the State of Qatar's full support for Bangladesh in achieving the aspirations of its people for development and prosperity.

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met on Thursday with Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue Zhai Jun, who is visiting the country.During the meeting, the two sides discussed cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them. They also discussed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, in addition to other topics of mutual interest.HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed the State of Qatar's continued efforts, as part of its joint mediation, to end the war on the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the need for concerted regional and international efforts to ensure unhindered and sustainable access to humanitarian aid to address the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi met in Washington with Deputy Secretary of the US Treasury Michael Faulkender.During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance cooperation in partnership areas to address global challenges related to sustainability and development.

Weather inshore until 6:00 pm on Thursday will be relatively hot to hot at places daytime with slight dust, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather report.Offshore, it will be fine, the report added.Wind inshore will be northwesterly to northeasterly at a speed of 5 - 15 KT, gusting to 22 KT daytime.Offshore, it will be northwesterly at a speed of 10 - 15 KT, gusting to 21 KT at times.Sea state inshore will be 2 - 3 ft, rising to 4 ft at times.Offshore, it will be 2 - 4 ft, rising to 6 ft at times.Visibility inshore will be 4 - 9 km, while offshore will be 5 -10 km.

Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) concluded its year-long Qalam literary series with a moving conversation featuring acclaimed author and academic Sonali Deraniyagala. The event marked a rare public appearance by Deraniyagala, whose searing memoir Wave has been hailed as one of the most powerful accounts of grief and survival in contemporary literature.Deraniyagala was joined in conversation by GU-Q's Writer-in-Residence, the award-winning novelist Kamila Shamsie. Together, they explored the devastating loss at the heart of Wave, the writing process that allowed Deraniyagala to confront memory, and the enduring presence of love in the aftermath of unimaginable tragedy.Wave, which won the PEN Ackerley Prize and was shortlisted for the National Book Critics Circle Award, begins in the immediate aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami which engulfed Deraniyagala's family while they were vacationing in Sri Lanka, causing the deaths of her parents, husband, and sons.Speaking to a captivated audience, Deraniyagala reflected on how the book began not as a literary project but as a private exercise in making sense of the incomprehensible. "It was important for me to learn to hold my nerve with the remembering," she shared. "What I learned-of course you are terrified of memory-but most of my memories were actually full of joy, so once you get through that pain, you are in a very good place."Born and raised in Sri Lanka, Deraniyagala holds a PhD in economics from the University of Oxford and currently teaches at both SOAS University of London and Columbia University. In recent years her work has turned to the economics of disasters. Her rare appearance at GU-Q offered students, faculty, and members of the public an intimate glimpse into the relationship between storytelling and moving past trauma.Kamila Shamsie guided the conversation with empathy and insight, drawing connections between memory, survival, and how language can both shield and expose writers and their readers.In his introduction, Dean Safwan Masri, who established the Writer-in-Residence program in 2024, thanked Shamsie for her service as the program's inaugural author. "Over the past year, Qalam has brought us together with some of the most celebrated voices in literature from the Global South," he said, adding: "It has been a privilege to share these evenings of literature and dialogue with you."

Qatar Airways and Philippine Airlines have launched a strategic partnership to expand service between Doha and Manila, enabling greater connectivity for passengers from the Philippines traveling to Qatar and onwards to other regions of the world. Starting from 16 June 2025, Philippine Airlines will offer daily nonstop flights between Manila and Doha. Qatar Airways will codeshare on the seven weekly flights operated by Philippine Airlines in the first phase of this strategic cooperation. The daily flights will depart Manila at 18:50 and arrive in Doha at 23:40. This will provide travellers from the Philippines perfect connectivity to over 170 destinations in the Qatar Airways network, spanning Africa, the Americas, Central Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Passengers will enjoy the luxury and comfort of transferring in Hamad International Airport (DOH), the World’s Best Airport in the Middle East as voted by Skytrax in 2025. Likewise, eastbound travellers arriving in Doha on Qatar Airways flights can connect smoothly onto Philippine Airlines flights that depart daily from Doha at 01:30 for a convenient afternoon arrival at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 16:15. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Thierry Antinori, said: “At Qatar Airways, we continue to explore opportunities that strengthen our connectivity across the world, and our latest partnership with Philippine Airlines is a testament to this commitment. This strategic cooperation also aims to deepen the socio-economic ties between the Qatari and Filipino communities. We are proud of the new codeshare flights and look forward to delivering increased benefits to global travellers.” Philippine Airlines President and Chief Operating Officer, Captain Stanley K. Ng., said: “As Philippine Airlines expands its presence across the globe, we are delighted to forge new alliances that enable us to build new connections and give our business and leisure passengers more flexibility and seamless access in flying to their desired destinations.” He continued: “Our decision to offer daily frequency to Doha is enabled by our exciting strategic partnership with Qatar Airways and will help us stimulate tourism, trade flows and business growth in the context of the strong bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Qatar. Our vital Overseas Filipino Workers and their families will also greatly benefit from this new partnership.” The partner airlines will explore further opportunities for long-term collaboration, including collaborating to promote additional destinations in the respective networks of Qatar Airways and Philippine Airlines as well as frequent flyer cooperation. The daily nonstop flights will be operated on Philippine Airlines’ long-range Airbus A330-300 aircraft in a dual-class configuration, featuring 18 flat-bed seats in an exclusive Business Class cabin and 341 seats in the main Economy Class cabin. Daily flights schedule: · Manila (MNL) to Doha (DOH) – Flight PR684: Departure 18:50, Arrival 23:40· Doha (DOH) to Manila (MNL) – Flight PR685: Departure 01:30, Arrival 16:15

The creation of a global Arid Cities Network (ACN) garnered strong support at the Earthna Summit 2025, highlighting the need for collaborative solutions and a platform to share knowledge among urban centres facing the challenges of arid environments. A concluding session at the summit, titled 'The Case for an Arid Cities Network,' underscored the proposed network’s aim to foster resilience and empower cities to thrive amidst increasing water scarcity, extreme heat, and limited resources. Dr David Simon, professor of Development Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London, presented early findings from an upcoming research report on the ACN, including a challenges and needs assessment conducted in six pilot cities, including Doha and Oman. He said the research identified converging pressures around water scarcity, heat extremes, urban livability, and fragmented governance as common obstacles. While the study found that many cities are already implementing context-specific solutions, often inspired by traditional knowledge, Dr Simon said significant gaps remain in the integration and scaling of these initiatives. He noted that a key takeaway from the research was the urgent need for peer-to-peer learning and a centralised platform for sharing best practices. Dr Simon outlined potential short-term objectives and activities for the ACN, such as supporting arid cities in their transformation towards sustainability and resilience, facilitating the sharing of experiences and expertise, prioritising needs, and developing and testing appropriate solutions. The network, he added, also aims to use its convening power to champion the challenges and solutions for hot and arid cities on a global scale. For medium- to long-term aims, he cited the need to develop a global knowledge centre and depository, provide policy advice and advocacy, serve as a hub for the exchange of innovation and expertise, build partnerships, and contribute to existing global discussions. The panel discussion following Dr Simon’s presentation further strengthened support for the ACN. Ibrahim Thiaw, undersecretary general and executive secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, pointed out that the network was “definitely a good idea.” He stressed the importance of establishing a specific platform for knowledge exchange, highlighting the need to address a number of issues within the context of arid environments. Msheireb Properties CEO Eng Ali al-Kuwari echoed this view, emphasising the value of continuous dialogue and knowledge-sharing. Lima mayor Rafael Lopez Aliaga suggested creating a specific chapter dedicated to arid cities within a larger existing organisation, arguing that it is a critical issue affecting not only arid cities but also cities facing water scarcity in general. Terri Wills, Director at the Climate, Children's Investment Fund Foundation, underscored the potential benefits of the network, particularly for secondary and smaller cities facing current and future challenges.

The concluding session at Earthna Summit 2025 on Wednesday highlighted the power of blending time-tested knowledge with cutting-edge technology in providing solutions for urban centres facing increasing environmental challenges.Speaking on 'The Case for an Arid Cities Network', Msheireb Properties CEO engineer Ali al-Kuwari cited the long-term benefits of investing a project like Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD).“Our district cooling system is a good revenue source for us. Today, we are almost 80% (occupancy), and once it becomes 100%, we’ll be getting good revenue from it, and it is very efficient,” he said, noting the project’s success in combining modern innovation and traditional knowledge.Beyond the economic advantages, al-Kuwari also stressed the environmental benefits of their approach, saying that MDD collects and reuses rainwater and condensation from air conditioners for irrigation and toilet flushing. This, he pointed out, resulted in a 70% reduction in water consumption.Drawing lessons from traditional architectural urbanism, al-Kuwari explained that they redesigned the entire downtown area based on local traditions and building practices.“We looked at our traditions, our people how they used to build their own houses, their homes, their village,” he said. This included keeping buildings close together to maximise shade and capture breezes, reducing heat by 30%.Al-Kuwari noted that these techniques have been in operation for five years, with collected data demonstrating the replicability of the concept in other cities.Ibrahim Thiaw, undersecretary general and executive secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, underscored the significance of considering solutions applicable even without high-tech infrastructure. He pointed to the building materials and techniques used by his ancestors in drylands, which provided comfort without air conditioning.Thiaw also cited ancient underground irrigation systems as examples of indigenous knowledge that are being revived for their efficiency.“If you look at the aridity climates, it is very clear, according to scientific studies, there will be more aridity in the world, it is growing. It is growing in places where the population is also growing because demographics continue to grow.Thiaw noted that of the nearly 600 cities, a few hundreds more are expected to emerge (as arid) over the next 50 years, especially those in developing countries, many of which may lack access to reliable energy.