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His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, met today with António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development, held at the Qatar National Convention Centre. During the meeting, they exchanged views on the most prominent topics on the Summit's agenda and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the State of Qatar and the United Nations. They also discussed a number of regional and international issues of common interest. The meeting was attended by His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi, Chief of the Amiri Diwan, and a number of other senior officials.

HE the Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council, Dr Hamda bint Hassan al-Sulaiti, has reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to supporting development efforts and promoting South-South co-operation through its global development partnerships and humanitarian initiatives.This came at the opening session of the third South-South Parliamentary Dialogue Forum, held in Rabat under the theme “Interregional and intercontinental dialogues in the countries of the South: an essential lever for meeting the new challenges of international co-operation and achieving peace, security, stability and shared development,” HE Dr al-Sulaiti highlighted Qatar’s efforts in supporting developing countries.She pointed to Qatar’s development and humanitarian aid contributions, as well as its partnership with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in supporting the Accelerator Labs initiative.HE Dr al-Sulaiti also emphasised the role of the Education Above All Foundation, launched by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, which seeks to ensure access to education for marginalised children, describing investment in human capital as essential to achieving genuine development.In addition, she referenced Qatar’s preparations to host the second World Summit for Social Development in November 2025, a platform to address issues of social justice, the empowerment of vulnerable groups, and the promotion of global solidarity.She underlined the importance of digital transformation for supporting development in the Global South, noting that Qatar has become a leading example in leveraging advanced technologies and artificial intelligence to drive sustainable growth.She highlighted Qatar’s success in building a cutting-edge digital infrastructure and adopting ambitious national strategies, allowing it to rank among the top countries in technological readiness and innovation, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.Digital progress, she said, plays a crucial role in boosting economic integration among Global South countries and tackling economic, social, and environmental challenges. She called for greater investment in technology and artificial intelligence as a core component of national development strategies.Addressing the challenges facing the Global South amid accelerating global changes, HE Dr al-Sulaiti stressed the interconnectedness of developmental, economic, and humanitarian crises, warning that ongoing double standards in the international community undermine the prospects for fair development.She drew attention to the plight of the Palestinian people under Israeli aggression, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and injuries, and warned that the lack of international accountability for such crimes threatens global peace and raises questions about the effectiveness of international institutions.Achieving sustainable development, she argued, is impossible without ensuring international justice. HE Dr al-Sulaiti called for a stronger role for regional and international parliaments and reforms to the UN system to promote fairness and efficiency.She noted the adoption of two resolutions by the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Tashkent regarding the Palestinian issue, calling for a two-state solution. The resolution emphasised the importance of adhering to international law and halting the aggression against Gaza, along with another resolution related to parliamentary strategies to mitigate the effects of conflicts on sustainable development, stressing that they are consistent with the State of Qatar’s positions in support of peace and development.HE Dr al-Sulaiti emphasised the need for comprehensive strategies focused on self-reliance, closing development gaps, infrastructure investment, unified economic policies, innovation, entrepreneurship, education, and environmental sustainability through green initiatives and partnerships.In closing, she stressed that achieving the aspirations of the Global South for justice, development, and stability requires strong political will and a shared commitment to collective interests, calling for unified efforts to build a more just and sustainable future.Separately, the Shura Council participated in a forum session on the role of regional initiatives and dialogues in promoting economic integration and joint development among Global South countries. During the session, Shura Council Member Abdullah bin Ali al-Sulaiti outlined Qatar’s efforts to support economic integration among countries of the South.On the sidelines of the forum’s opening day, HE Dr al-Sulaiti met with President of the Chamber of Councillors of Morocco, Mohamed Ould Rachid. The meeting emphasised the importance of the topics discussed at the forum, particularly those related to enhancing South-South co-operation efforts, as well as reviewing ways to enhance bilateral co-operation between the two sides.She also met with President of Chile’s Senate, Manuel Jose Ossandon Irarrazabal, and President of the National Congress of Honduras and Chair of the Forum of Central American and Caribbean Countries, Luis Redondo, to explore prospects for strengthened parliamentary co-ordination.

The State of Qatar participated in the Global Partnerships Conference, held in London and co-hosted by the United Kingdom and the Republic of South Africa.HE the Minister of State for International Co-operation, Dr Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad, represented the State of Qatar at the conference.The conference was attended by a number of senior officials, ministers, and heads of development and humanitarian organisations from around the world. The Minister of State for International Co-operation participated as a keynote speaker in the opening panel discussion moderated by Chief Economic Adviser to the UK Prime Minister, Baroness Nemat Shafik, pertaining to building systems to overcome challenges of the 21st century. This was addressed in two themes. The first theme addressed the profound changes in the current political and developmental environment, revealing structural imbalances in the existing international co-operation system, which is no longer adequate to address the scale of the crises, while the second theme explored the next decade and the fundamental changes required to recalibrate the international system. In the first session, Dr al-Misnad reviewed Qatar’s pioneering experience and its globally recognised initiatives, emphasising that Qatar places supporting the least developed countries at the forefront of its foreign policy. She highlighted the significant financial contributions and donations made by Qatar, including a USD60mn grant to support development activities and capacity-building projects in these countries. She stated that Qatar found itself at the crossroads of three simultaneous crises within a single year. These included mediation efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitate the delivery of aid to the Strip, its efforts to reunite Ukrainian children with their families, and Qatar Fund for Development’s (QFFD) funding of more than 70 countries facing food, climate, and debt crises. She pointed out that the current international system has collapsed on the premise of separating humanitarian work from development and peace, highlighting that the assumption of a monopoly on international decision-making has crumbled. Gulf and Arab development funds, sovereign wealth funds, and regional mediators have become the cornerstones of the system’s continuity, she said, noting that Qatar alone provided USD4.8bn in foreign aid to the least developed countries in 2024. In this context, She called for the swift translation of the financial commitments made at the Second Doha World Summit for Social Development into rapid, tangible results.Commenting on the next decade, HE the Minister of State for International Co-operation presented a practical roadmap based on several key areas: transitioning from fragmented funding to national platforms led and owned by the recipient countries rather than the donors, enabling them to lead co-ordination, and urging the implementation of the Doha Action Plan. She emphasised the importance of financing social protection and human capital development as essential long-term infrastructure, citing the Education Above All Foundation’s experience in successfully enrolling over 16mn children in education across 60 countries. She called for the adoption of definitions that would enable these sectors to access concessional and blended financing tools, building upon the existing “From Seville to Doha” initiative in collaboration with Spain and the International Labour Organisation.She further stressed the importance of including humanitarian mediation and ensuring humanitarian access as key enablers for the flow of development investments. Qatar’s investment in solidifying its role as a trusted mediator from Gaza to Afghanistan and Colombia, and its launch of the “Humanitarian Diplomacy Initiative,” are all part of Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy.She affirmed Qatar’s full readiness to be an active and pivotal partner in translating these three pillars into tangible reality on the ground. 

HE the Minister of State for International Co-operation Dr Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad inaugurated Monday the First Leaders’ Meeting of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, held on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development Doha 2025, hosted by Qatar from November 4 to 6. In her opening remarks, HE Dr al-Misnad praised Brazil’s initiative in launching the alliance during its G20 presidency and the efforts of its co-chairs to turn the initiative into a practical framework serving humanity. She highlighted Qatar’s commitment to rapid response and development for peace, stressing that ending hunger and poverty is a shared responsibility requiring international solidarity and equitable partnerships. Dr al-Misnad noted that over 700mn people worldwide still live in extreme poverty, with conflicts, climate change, debt, and funding shortages threatening development in many countries. The minister also referred to Qatar’s support for the Sevilla Commitment adopted at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, which calls for reforms to the global financial system and the creation of a fairer and more resilient global economy that ensures the right to development. HE Dr al-Misnad outlined Qatar’s national vision for 2030, focusing on a diversified, sustainable, knowledge- and innovation-based economy, human development, social protection, healthcare, and environmental preservation. She emphasised Qatar’s efforts to strengthen international partnerships to support multilateral co-operation and assist developing countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Highlighting Qatar’s partnership with the UN, she said the country is implementing the Doha Program of Action (2022-2031) to help least developed countries move towards sustainable development. Qatar, through the Qatar Fund For Development, has signed agreements with the UN Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Countries to finance two key projects: enhancing resilience and establishing a food storage system to address food insecurity. HE Dr al-Misnad added that Qatar provided US$4.8bn in foreign aid from 2022 to 2024, including US$1bn to fight poverty and hunger, US$1bn for education, health, water, and clean energy, and allocated around US$1bn from its Special Drawing Rights to IMF funds for poverty reduction and resilience. The country also contributed over US$30mn to UNDP’s Development Impact Accelerator Labs to support innovative community solutions. She reaffirmed Qatar’s belief in the UN as a platform for unifying efforts and strengthening multilateral action, and emphasised its continued support for UN Resident Coordinators and development programmes to ensure the effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda. HE Dr al-Misnad concluded by reiterating Qatar’s commitment to a world free from hunger and poverty, emphasising that through partnership, investment in people, and a deep belief in solidarity, we can ensure no one is left behind, and that peace and development are shared rights for all.

HE the Shura Council Speaker, Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanim, has affirmed Qatar's continued pioneering role in supporting and establishing the principle of dialogue and conflict resolution through mediation and peaceful means, stating that this approach is a consistent choice enshrined in the State’s constitution and is based on international laws and conventions.Speaking at the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament held in Geneva under the title "A world in turmoil: Parliamentary co-operation and multilateralism for peace, justice, and prosperity for all," HE al-Ghanim expressed Qatar’s commitment to international partnership and co-operation.Qatar is ready to host the second World Summit for Social Development in November and is keen to strengthen social cohesion, achieve comprehensive and sustainable development, and support the most vulnerable groups, especially in light of escalating economic and climate crises.He pointed out the increasing challenges facing the world, especially as the expansion of conflicts and security threats highlights the failure of the international system and raises doubts about the effectiveness of its institutions in enforcing compliance with international law and halting violations, particularly in conflict zones, foremost among them Gaza and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories.HE the Shura Council Speaker emphasised the responsibility of parliamentarians to confront the escalating humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, which has been subjected to genocide crimes by the Israeli occupation forces for more than 22 months amid the international community's inability to stop them or protect civilians.He condemned the ongoing killings, the comprehensive blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip, and the systematic starvation policy used by Israel against civilians, stressing that the world’s silence on the cries of children and the suffering of mothers undermines the values of justice and humanity.He called for restructuring international organisations that have failed to fulfil their role in achieving international peace and security and restoring the ethical and humanitarian dimension in international positions and championing justice.He pointed out that the responsibility of parliaments requires a clear stance on the wars and tragedies the world is witnessing, especially famine and the deliberate targeting of women and children in Gaza, saying in this regard that the death of children from hunger is a disgrace on the forehead of the international community and humanity, and let parliamentarians around the world have a word of truth in stopping the crimes and killings in Gaza.On the sidelines of the conference, HE al-Ghanim met with Speaker of Iran's Islamic Consultative Assembly Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, where parliamentary co-operation relations and ways to enhance them in various fields were discussed.Earlier Wednesday, HE the Speaker of the Shura Council participated in a briefing session for Speakers of Parliament on the UN reform initiative, which included a comprehensive presentation of the initiative’s goals aiming to make the UN more just, effective, and responsive to escalating global challenges.During the session, views were also exchanged among parliament speakers on the importance of enhancing transparency and inclusiveness within the UN system and the role of legislative institutions in supporting reform paths that contribute to achieving international peace and security and sustainable development.In the same context, members of the Shura Council participated in discussion panels at the conference, including one titled: "Fast-forwarding the SDGs through Parliamentary Action," and another titled "The Role of Parliaments in Shaping Our Digital Future."

Ahead of its upcoming 2020 summit, the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), a Qatar Foundation global health initiative, has selected 30 winners from 11 different countries for its two Innovation Award program competitions Spark (for early stage startups) and Booster (for startups looking for scale-up) which recognize and support global innovative solutions that can improve healthcare delivery and make healthcare more cost-effective. Due to the exceptionally high caliber of innovations received, WISH has announced that two Grand Prize Winners will be chosen, one from among the 15 Spark innovators, who will receive US$ 5,000, and one from the 15 Booster innovators, who will be awarded US$ 10,000. The 30 winning innovations address different areas of healthcare and span various fields, including neurodegenerative diseases, healthcare accessibility, environmental sustainability, COVID-19, physical therapy, and others, all aimed at creating cost-effective and accessible healthcare for global populations. The two competitions invited local, regional, and international entrepreneurs to apply; and this year WISH received the largest number of applications to date close to 500 from 43 countries in different regions, from as far as Japan, New Zealand, and Australia in the east, to the US and Brazil in the west. Among the Spark winners are SOSO CARE from Nigeria, a low-cost social enterprise using recyclable garbage as a financial resource to enabling access to micro health insurance; QABY from Qatar, a biotech start-up focusing on Parkinsons disease; Biliblanket from Bhutan, providing phototherapy to treat jaundice in newborns; and the ZEDOC digital patient care platform from New Zealand. Winners of the Booster competition include Robin, an assistive technological device for the blind from Russia; On Track, a remote digital rehabilitation platform for stroke survivors, from the UK ; FindANurse from Lebanon, which helps families find dependable and professional caregivers; and the NoDK, an inexpensive dental treatment device from the US. All winning projects will be showcased in this years virtual Innovation Hub, which will be a unique, 360 environment, home to discussion spaces, a cinema, a photo gallery, and a wellness room, where visitors to WISH 2020 can engage directly with the winners, among several other activities. The winning innovators will showcase their work to global health experts and policymakers at WISH 2020, to be held virtually from November 15-19 under the theme of One World Our Health. This slogan emphasises WISH's vision to welcome all partnerships under a common banner, striving for a common goal of creating a healthier world. The winning innovators will also receive other benefits that have been introduced this year, including access to media support from WISH for up to 12 months, invitations to other summits and events, and becoming a WISH innovation program alumni ambassador with mentorship and championship for up to a year. Commenting on the winning projects, Mahmoud El Achi, Head of Innovation, WISH, said: "This years winners provide an exciting look into how innovative thinking is being used around the world to break the constraints healthcare industry currently faces. We have long recognized that innovation in healthcare can take many forms, so we are once again delighted to provide this platform for technologies, therapies, and care delivery systems that can improve and save lives. We look forward to seeing these extraordinary innovations during the summit, as well as witnessing how they will help to achieve the goal of transforming global healthcare in the near future. Well done to each winner." WISH has partnered with several renowned local and international innovation hubs, and the winning innovators will have the opportunity to receive expert mentorship, training workshops, and one-on-one interactions with potential investors from these hubs during the summit. Among its local partners are Qatar Foundation's Qatar Science & Technology Park and Hamad Bin Khalifa University Innovation Center, alongside Qatar Business Incubation Center founded by Qatar Development Bank, and Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council. Global hubs include the BMJ accelerator program in London; the HAG Group a Brazilian innovation center; Portuguese innovation center Beta-i, and The Helix Centre in UK.

The concept of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was born at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20, in 2012. The objective was to produce a set of universally applicable goals that balances the three dimensions of sustainable development: environmental, social, and economic. The 17 SDGs of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development came into force from beginning of this year after adoption of the same at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015. The SDGs have been built on the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and aim to go further to end all forms of poverty. The new goals call for action by all countries, poor, rich and middle-income to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. They recognise that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and addresses a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection. Some of the SDG goals which invoke significant interest to me encompass areas such as poverty, food security, energy, economy, climate and sustainable cities. Poverty is more than the lack of income and resources to ensure a sustainable livelihood. Its manifestations include hunger and malnutrition, limited access to education and other basic services, social discrimination and exclusion as well as the lack of participation in decision-making. Economic growth must be inclusive to provide sustainable jobs and promote equality. Some 836mn people still live in extreme poverty. One in five persons in developing regions lives on less than $1.25 per day. By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day. In relation to food security it was observed that the vast majority of the world’s hungry people live in developing countries, where 12.9% of the population is undernourished. Agriculture is the single largest employer in the world, providing livelihoods for 40% of today’s global population. It is the largest source of income and jobs for poor rural households. By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. Sustainable energy is opportunity as it transforms lives, economies and the planet. Ensuring universal access to affordable electricity by 2030 means investing in clean energy sources such as solar, wind and thermal. By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. According to the International Labour Organisation, more than 204mn people are unemployed in 2015. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to encourage sustained economic growth by achieving higher levels of productivity, through technological innovation. Promoting policies that encourage entrepreneurship and job creation are key to this. Greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, and are now more than 50% higher than their 1990 level. Further, global warming is causing long-lasting changes to our climate system, which threatens irreversible consequences if we do not take action now. The rapid growth of cities in the developing world, coupled with increasing rural to urban migration, has led to a boom in mega-cities. In 1990, there were ten mega-cities with 10mn inhabitants or more. In 2014, there were 28 mega-cities, home to a total 453mn people. Making cities safe and sustainable means ensuring access to safe and affordable housing, and upgrading slum settlements. It also involves investment in public transport, creating green public spaces, and improving urban planning and management in a way that is both participatory and inclusive. On the whole, the Sustainable development goals (SDGs) will be useful for pursuing focused and coherent action on sustainable development. - Dr R Seetharaman is Group CEO of Doha Bank.

His Excellency Speaker of the Shura Council, Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim affirmed the belief of the State of Qatar under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, that Gulf unity constitutes a fundamental pillar for preserving the region's security and stability and for strengthening cooperation to achieve prosperity for its peoples. Addressing the 19th meeting of the Speakers of the Shura, Representatives, National, and Ummah Councils of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries, held today in the Kingdom of Bahrain, His Excellency emphasized that the deep-rooted fraternal ties uniting the GCC countries transcend geographical boundaries and immediate interests. These ties are rooted in profound historical, cultural, and social relations, making a shared destiny and common interest a reality, not merely a slogan. He stressed that the Gulf legislative councils, through their regular meetings and ongoing coordination, have proven themselves to be a powerful voice for this Gulf unity, in addition to their unwavering support for unified Gulf policies and positions on various regional and international issues. His Excellency noted that the continued convening of GCC meetings reflects a shared understanding of the importance of parliamentary coordination and the necessity of unifying positions on major issues affecting the security and stability of the region and the world. He emphasized that the increasing political, economic, and security challenges make joint parliamentary action a necessity, not an option, and amplify the responsibility to defend the interests of the GCC states and their people, and to solidify the image of unified Gulf cooperation in various international forums. In his address, HE the Speaker of the Shura Council touched on the Doha Declaration issued by the Second World Summit for Social Development, hosted by the State of Qatar in November of this year. He highlighted its international call for achieving more equitable and sustainable development based on eradicating poverty and promoting social justice. He stressed that achieving these goals requires an active role for legislative councils in supporting policies that promote human development and monitoring the implementation of international commitments, thus embodying a genuine partnership between parliaments and governments in serving humanity and enhancing its well-being. On the regional front, His Excellency stressed that Gulf security is indivisible, and that the security of any member state is the security of all. He then addressed the tragic situation in the Gaza Strip, reaffirming the principled and unwavering stance of supporting the steadfastness of the brotherly Palestinian people and condemning the crimes committed by the Israeli occupation against innocent civilians, which constitute a flagrant violation of all humanitarian and international laws and norms. In this context, His Excellency commended the honorable positions of the GCC states in supporting the Palestinian cause and standing with the Palestinian people in Gaza. He expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the fraternal solidarity shown by the GCC member states towards the State of Qatar following the Israeli aggression against its territory, as this solidarity embodies the depth of Gulf unity and the shared position and destiny. HE the Speaker of the Shura Council also emphasized the current need to activate the tools of Gulf parliamentary diplomacy and strengthen dialogue and coordination with Arab and Islamic legislative councils to formulate a unified vision that reflects collective positions and supports the goals of the GCC states in achieving security, stability, and sustainable development. He considered that the strength of the Gulf position in international forums stems from unity and the ability to present a consistent message that reflects the aspirations of the people and defends shared values. His Excellency began his address by expressing his sincere thanks and appreciation to the House of Representatives of the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain for its generous hospitality and excellent organization, wishing it success in presiding over the current session and in achieving the aspirations of the legislative councils to enhance joint Gulf cooperation. His Excellency Speaker Al Ghanim, extended thanks and appreciation to the sisterly United Arab Amirates, represented by the Federal National Council, for the remarkable efforts it made during its presidency of the previous session, and for the qualitative initiatives it achieved that contributed to strengthening Gulf parliamentary work and unifying positions in regional and international forums. At the same time, he praised the efforts of the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf for its diligent work in supporting the joint Gulf action and developing mechanisms of cooperation between the Council's institutions.

Sports tourism remains a vital growth driver with FIFA World Cup 2022 generating an estimated $2.3-4.1bn in tourism spending and broadcasting revenue, contributing $1.6-2.4bn to Qatar’s gross domestic product (GDP), according to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). “This success has created a positive impact boosting the tourism and hospitality sectors across the region by up to 30%,” PwC said, adding the Middle East region’s sports market is projected to grow at an “impressive” rate of 8.7% over the next three to five years, outpacing the global average of 7.3%.This growth (in the Middle East sports sector) will be fuelled by significant investments in premium sports properties and infrastructure, alongside ambitious initiatives to increase grassroots participation, it said, adding “looking ahead, the region’s sports sector faces both opportunities and challenges as it balances commercial growth with sustainable development.”Qatar continues to leverage its post-World Cup momentum through strategically bidding for, and hosting, major sporting events such as the FIFA Arab Cup in 2025, 2029 and 2033; FIFA U17 World Cup in 2025 through 2029 and the Web Summit for 2024 through 2028, PwC said.Highlighting that Qatar’s successful hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Saudi Arabia’s selection for the 2034 edition demonstrates the region’s capability; the report said the region’s position in global sports investment has strengthened significantly. Sovereign wealth funds, including Middle Eastern funds, now lead 24% of global sports investments, it said, adding Qatar Sports Investments’ $200mn investment in Monumental Sports, which owns clubs and arenas in the US, reflects a growing focus on international portfolio.Finding that the region is pioneering new commercial models, notably in emerging sports sectors; it said Qatar’s investments in Formula 1, the UAE’s development of combat sports, and Saudi Arabia’s Esports initiatives demonstrate the breadth of commercial opportunities being pursued. The Middle Eastern sports consumer is highly digitally engaged, with over-the-top (OTT) services like Shahid VIP and beIN Connect revolutionising how fans consume sports content. Innovations from entities like the Qatar-based SponixTech (immersive replays) and Saudi Arabia-based Fanera (fan experience platforms) underscore the region’s leadership in digital sports transformation.Social media is a key driver of fan engagement, with platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X playing a central role; PwC said penetration rates in the Middle East highlight the widespread use of social platforms, with the UAE at 115%, Saudi Arabia at 96.2% and Qatar at 96.8%.

As the world comes together with the aim of accelerating progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Qatar Foundation (QF) is contributing to this vital global conversation through a series of virtual events designed to share ideas and find solutions. The 2020 Global Goals Week will take place from September 18 to 26 as the United Nations (UN) highlights the extent of the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic is having on prospects for realising the SDGs with the world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities being hardest hit. The event will include Global Goals Day on September 25, the fifth anniversary of the SDGs being agreed, as a call to action is sounded for everyone to play their part in ensuring they are achieved by 2030. Under the theme ‘Global Challenges, Local Solutions,’ QF and many of its entities will host an array of online sessions from September 20 to 30. Speakers from around the world will explore potential solutions to the challenges the world is facing, in five key areas: precision medicine, social progress, disruptive education, sustainability, and Artificial Intelligence. These events reflect the role of QF, which is marking its 25th anniversary this year, in enabling global-level, solution-focused dialogue, and advancing innovative thinking and action. “2020 marks the start of a decade that must-see collective, tangible action if we are to secure the future we want for our world, and while the Covid-19 pandemic has shaken global society, it has also only increased the urgency to take this action,” said Aysha al-Mudahka, director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnership Development, QF. “Global Goals Week is an opportunity for everyone to unite their voice and commitment to addressing issues as important as any we will ever face, share ideas, and work together to address the world’s most pressing challenges. Through the virtual platforms for dialogue and knowledge exchange we have organised, QF – which, for 25 years, has been dedicated to identifying and delivering solutions that benefit Qatar and the world – aims to support this global effort to build a stronger, more sustainable, and more equal planet,” she said. “From the future of education to the role of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare, we are inviting the world to join us and our line-up of international experts and thought-leaders, as we seek to find and foster local solutions to global challenges,” al-Mudahka said. One of the cornerstones of QF’s contribution to Global Goals Week will be a panel discussion on September 23 at 3.30pm (Doha time), titled ‘Covid-19 and Education: The Largest Disruption in the History of Education,’ focusing on questions such as whether the pandemic presents an opportunity to rethink education and shift mindsets, and if education leaders are ready to embrace such change. HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, vice chairperson and CEO of QF, will be joined in the discussion by Danilo Turk, former president of Slovenia; Achim Steiner, administrator of the UN Development Programme; Professor Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Centre for Sustainable Development at Columbia University; Gabriela Cuevas Barron, president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union; and Sarah Cliffe, director of the Centre on International Co-operation, New York University. Meanwhile, ‘Glocalising Education for a Sustainable Future,’ taking place at 8.15pm (Doha time) on September 30, will look at how K-12 students can learn more about how to relate the Global Goals to their local context and their lives, and how they can be empowered to take tangible action toward realising these goals in their own communities. Speakers will be Sheikha Noof al-Thani, executive director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnership Development within QF’s pre-university education; Mehdi Benchaabane, director of QF’s Education Development Institute; Sam Barratt, chief of the Youth, Education and Advocacy Unit at the UN Environment Programme; Dr Nicole Bien, director of Learning and Teaching, International Baccalaureate; and Alison Bellwood, director of The World’s Largest Lesson. QF’s contribution to Global Goals Week kicks off on September 20, as Doha Debates plays host to a discussion on ‘New Institutions for a New Era?’, while on September 25, members of Qatar’s national debate team and students from Harvard University will tackle the topic ‘Is Multilateralism in Crisis?’, in a session led by QF member QatarDebate. September 28 will see QF member Hamad Bin Khalifa University host a session titled ‘Educate to Eradicate: Extremism – What’s Next Post-Covid?’, reflecting how education’s role in keeping extremism at bay is perhaps more crucial than ever. The following day, the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) – QF’s global education think-tank – will launch its special edition e-book, ‘Education Disrupted: Education Reimagined’, containing perspectives from the frontline of education during the pandemic, followed by a panel discussion featuring speakers from WISE and the book’s partner Salzburg Global Register, and contributors. Also on September 29, the use of AI and bioinformatics to find existing drugs that could be repurposed to treat Covid-19 will be the topic of ‘Calculating The Cure: AI and Covid-19’, a session led by the World Innovation Summit for Health, QF’s global health initiative.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met Wednesday at the Amiri Diwan with President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, on the occasion of his visit to the country to participate in the Second World Summit for Social Development.At the outset of the meeting, His Highness the Amir welcomed the Pakistani president and the accompanying delegation, affirming Qatar's keenness to strengthen the bonds of friendship and bilateral cooperation and advance mutual interests.**media[377786]**For his part, the Pakistani president expressed his gratitude to His Highness the Amir for the warm reception and voiced his aspiration to deepen bilateral cooperation across all sectors and expand it for the benefit of both nations.During the meeting, they discussed bilateral cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to enhance and develop them in various fields. They also discussed the most prominent regional and international issues and developments of common interest, in addition to exchanging views on key topics on the summit's agenda.HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, HE Chief of the Amiri Diwan Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Khulaifi, and a number of senior officials attended the meeting. On the Pakistani side, it was attended by members of the official delegation accompanying the president.