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The theme for WISE 12 is Human Values at the Heart of Education, and the title is ‘Humanity.IO’ The 12th edition of the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE 12), a global education initiative of Qatar Foundation (QF), will take place from Monday with with over 4,000 participants from around the globe at Qatar National Convention Centre. "The two-day summit gathers over a large number of speakers and delegates and more than 4,000 participants.We had to close the registration because we exceeded the 6,000 registrations. So actually, we are fully packed and we expect over 4,000 participants to take part in the summit over the two days of conference,” said Shahïn Ammane, Director, Advocacy and Community Development, WISE.Ammane was speaking to Gulf Times at a special Media Day event organised by WISE to highlight the activities of WISE 12. Officials from WISE, QF and Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, finalists of the WISE Prize for Education as well as the jury members of the WISE Prize for Education were present on the occasion.The official said that the theme for WISE 12 is Human Values at the Heart of Education, and the title is ‘Humanity.IO’. “ In every technology evolution, we have always to think about the human first. What is the place of the human in this evolution as well as what is the place of the human in AI area? We think mainly about what is the future of AI, but we don't think about the future of the human within AI. So it is going to be one of the main themes to be discussed during WISE 12,” he explained.Ammane noted that the summit will examine how bold system-level change, anchored in human values, can ensure education remains adaptable, accessible, and relevant. As for the participants in the summit, Ammane said that the highest number of attendees are from Qatar. “It highlights their interest in what is happening in education in Qatar .Some of the discussions that are going to take place during the summit will actually shape the future of education in Qatar and the world,” he continued. Meanwhile, Mana Mohammed al-Ansari, chief economic empowerment officer at the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, said that EAA is participating in the summit as it is a hugely important global event. “At WISE, ideas, innovation and action all come together to reshape the future of learning. At EAA, our mission is to remove the barriers that prevent children and youth from accessibility,” said al-Ansari. Al-Ansari noted that EAA has six programmes and all of them align with education, environment sustainability and economic empowerment of the youth and the marginlised communities.He stated: “EAA will hold seven sessions during WISE 12 which are highly relevant in the current scenario. Through these sessions, the EAA Foundation will highlight cutting-edge solutions that expand access to education, empower youth, and drive inclusive social and economic development.” “Through its participation at WISE 12, EAA Foundation reaffirms its global mission to ensure equitable, innovative, and human-centred education for all, championing solutions that bridge learning with opportunity, safeguard children's and youth's rights, and build sustainable future for vulnerable and marginalised communities around the world,” he added. According to Dr Hend Zainal, executive director, Strategy Management and Partnerships at the Higher Education Division, Qatar Foundation, WISE 12 is a great platform to interact with higher education as well as K-12 education experts from all over the world. “We are going to hear from these experts and discuss the future of higher education and some of the issues that we are all facing right now.QF Higher education also will sign four MoUs at the summit. It also includes a cultural exchange programme with students from George Mason University who will be visiting Qatar next year.” “We, at QF want our students to not only be part of the future, but be part of actually what the future is going to look like.So, it is really important to bring students with such professionals who are participating in the summit. We are holding a few sessions at the summit that are led by higher education experts, people from QF higher education, as well as our partner universities,” added the official.

Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) reaffirmed its commitment to advancing inclusive, sustainable development through active engagement at the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Led by QFFD Director-General Fahad bin Hamad Al Sulaiti, the Fund's participation emphasized the importance of addressing the needs of vulnerable communities by unlocking innovative financing, strengthening local systems, and delivering lasting impact in fragile and underserved contexts. As the central platform for reviewing progress on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the HLPF convened global leaders, development institutions, and civil society organizations in a collective effort to accelerate sustainable development. During the Townhall meeting titled "Unlocking Means of Implementation: Mobilizing Financing and STI for the SDGs," Al Sulaiti emphasized the vital need to expand access to innovative and inclusive financing mechanisms, while underscoring the importance of investing in local capacity-building as a cornerstone for achieving the SDGs and fostering long-term resilience. As part of its continued efforts to promote people-centered development, QFFD co-organized the side event "On the Road to Doha: From HLPF 2025 to the Second World Summit for Social Development," which underscored the pivotal role of social development in achieving sustainable outcomes. The session was opened by QFFD Director-General Fahad bin Hamad Al Sulaiti, alongside high-level leaders from the UN, member states, and key development institutions. The discussion helped shape a collaborative and forward-looking agenda for the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development, to be hosted by the State of Qatar. In addition, QFFD actively participated in a range of side events spanning critical sectors and thematic areas, including youth employment, economic development, climate action, and innovative financing, demonstrating its role as a catalyst for cross-sectoral solutions and a contributor to global dialogue aimed at accelerating progress on the 2030 Agenda. On the sidelines of the Forum, the QFFD Director-General held meetings with several officials and senior figures, including Executive Secretary of ESCWA Rola Dashti, Director-General of IOM Amy Pope, HE Minister of Social Security of Finland Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, and UN High Representative for the Least Developed Countries Rabab Fatima. These meetings focused on enhancing cooperation and supporting development across various fields such as energy, economic empowerment, migration resilience, social welfare, and assisting the least developed countries.

The GCC and the European Union have renewed their commitment to a strategic partnership, aiming to elevate it to the highest levels based on mutual respect and trust, to benefit their peoples and the world. They expressed their determination to enhance regional security and prosperity by preventing and resolving conflicts through dialogue and joint coordination.Regarding the situation in Lebanon, the joint statement from the first GCC-EU Summit expressed deep concern over the dangerous escalation in Lebanon and reiterated support for the Lebanese people. It called for an immediate ceasefire and intensified international and regional efforts to provide urgent humanitarian aid to Lebanon to alleviate civilian suffering and protect them from any war consequences.The statement urged restraint, cessation of escalation, and prevention of conflict expansion in the wider region, emphasizing the need for implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, other relevant international resolutions, and the Taif Agreement to restore lasting security and stability in Lebanon, ensuring respect for its territorial unity, independence, and sovereignty within internationally recognized borders.The statement added, "We recognize the essential stabilizing role played by the Lebanese Armed Forces and UN interim force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in mitigating risk of escalation. We condemn all attacks against UN missions and express particularly grave concerns regarding the recent attack against UNIFIL."The statement supported the efforts of the Lebanon-focused Quartet, emphasizing the importance of accelerating the presidential elections, restoring the Lebanese governments authority nationwide, implementing economic reforms, and reintegrating Lebanon into the region, including initiatives to rebuild trust and cooperation with Lebanon.On the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the statement highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the UN Charter principles. It called on the Russian Federation to immediately, fully, and unconditionally withdraw all its military forces from Ukrainian territory within its internationally recognized borders. It reaffirmed the GCC and EUs commitment to Ukraines sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity, including its territorial waters.Amid the dangerous escalations and ongoing wars in the Middle East and Europe, the summits final statement stressed the strategic commitment between the two sides to enhance security and de-escalation for the benefit of both regions, welcoming the launch of the GCC-EU Regional Security Dialogue in January 2024 and the progress in developing joint approaches to global and regional security challenges. These include counter-terrorism, maritime security, cyber issues, disaster preparedness, emergency management, and peace-building efforts like mediation and negotiation.Both sides also affirmed their co-operation in combating organized crime, including human smuggling and trafficking, to disrupt and prosecute these illegal activities effectively through enhanced international cooperation.The two parties pledged to strengthen collaboration in anti-money laundering and combating terrorism financing, including within the framework of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and related regional bodies, reiterating their shared efforts to counter threats posed by organized crime. They also explored ways to improve judicial and law enforcement cooperation via relevant EU and GCC bodies, complementing bilateral cooperation.The statement welcomed the outcomes of the High-Level Forum on Security and Regional Cooperation held on April 22, 2024, in Luxembourg. The summit agreed to hold another version of this forum in 2025 and welcomed the GCCs vision for regional security, noting that the GCC plays a critical role in mediating and resolving conflicts to maintain peace and security regionally and globally.In this context, the statement welcomed the commitments of the joint EU-GCC Council on humanitarian aid and its support for enhancing joint advocacy at international, regional, and local levels to ensure humanitarian aid access and uphold international humanitarian law. It also explored parallel funding responses to crises, addressing common concerns where applicable.The statement highlighted the importance of establishing a structured co-operation and co-ordination mechanism for disaster response between the EUs Emergency Response Coordination Center and the GCC Emergency Management Center, leveraging national expertise in this area. It stressed the significance of safeguarding the humanitarian space, protecting civilians and healthcare, and upholding international humanitarian law in all contexts.The statement said that both sides "will strive to cooperate on global issues and the follow-up of the Summit of the Future and work towards a successful outcome of COP29 and COP30. We will explore ways to coordinate towards achieving impactful outcomes at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development and the 2nd World Summit on Social Development, to be respectively held in Spain and Qatar in 2025. We commit to enhanced collaboration in the context of accelerating the full implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals. We support UN efforts in helping shape a multilateral system designed to deliver more fairly and effectively for all."The joint final statement from the first GCC-EU summit emphasized that their strategic partnership aims to be the main driver in advancing their shared goals as close partners, based on a rules-based international system that fully respects international law, including the UN Charter, international humanitarian law, and the promotion and protection of universal human rights. The statement underscored the need to support multilateralism and the importance of sustainable development and prosperity.The statement highlighted the extensive preparatory work through multiple joint dialogues on geopolitical developments, regional security, macroeconomics, connectivity, trade and investment, business environment, research and innovation, development cooperation, and humanitarian coordination, all of which significantly strengthened the partnership and mutual understanding and directly supported the summit's preparation.The statement also welcomed the EU Joint Statement for a Strategic Partnership adopted in May 2022, affirming the strong mutual commitment to enhance the strategic partnership in line with the Joint Action Program (20222027). Additionally, it acknowledged the outcomes of the Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting in Oman in October 2023.As part of their growing partnership, both sides agreed to further develop bilateral, regional, and multilateral frameworks aimed at advancing relations on all levels. They also agreed to continue regular dialogue through biennial summits, with the next summit to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2026, and to convene the 29th Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting in Kuwait in 2025. (QNA)

The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) will hold this year’s conference with a three pillar programme of ‘Co-Exist’, ‘Co-Create’ and ‘Learning to Live and Work Together’. WISE summit 2017, a premier international education conference, will be held in Doha from November 14 to 16 with the participation of a large number of educationists and opinion makers from around the world. WISE is a global initiative of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. Just over two months to go for the biennial conference, WISE 2017 will address important education challenges in times of disruption and economic uncertainty stemming from conflict, mass migration, growing inequality, on-going, rapid technological change and other forces. The 2017 WISE Summit will also be an opportunity to rethink and reorganise the way learning is delivered in an age of disruption. Participants will explore and discover several topics that are shaping the future of teaching and learning including the impact of artificial intelligence on education, transforming roles of teachers and leveraging social entrepreneurship for innovation. The summit will also have several discussions on changing mindsets toward migrants, reimagining higher education in the connected world, the impact of nudging, connecting private and public actors and strategies to build future knowledge societies. Challenges in education also present opportunities to break down old assumptions and bring forth the new ideas that are paving the way for positive disruption. With the topic of co-existing in a changing world, developing skills, attitudes and values to shape tomorrow, the conference will explore the role of innovation in education to cultivate values, behaviours and attitudes. It will address complex challenges, advance cultural cohesion and nurture global citizenship in the rapidly evolving world. The second pillar of co-creating knowledge societies; transitioning from knowledge economies to knowledge societies, will examine strategies, policies and practices to empower individuals to become highly skillful innovators who can drive economic development, contribute to social good and design our future world. The final pillar of the programme is learning to learn: New perspectives and practices in teaching and learning. It aims to discover new and emerging teaching and learning approaches that help learners develop relevant cognitive, social and emotional skills to live and work in an age of disruption. WISE summit will highlight that the pace of scientific and technological development continues unabated. Constant advances in artificial intelligence, automation and biotechnology have the potential to dramatically overturn long-held assumptions about what it means to be human.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s participation in the Fourth Arab Economic and Social Development Summit held in Beirut on Sunday shows that Qatar does not let down its Arab brothers. The Amir’s participation in the summit, which was held amidst delicate regional situation, gave it a political momentum and positive impact after a majority of Arab leaders declined to attend. While the Beirut summit was overshadowed by divisions among Arab countries over Syria and the internal conflicts in Lebanon, which prompted many leaders to cancel their participation, Amir’s attendance was the only saving grace. And the fact that the Amir attended the summit despite the unjust blockade imposed on Qatar, indicates that Doha does not forget the issues facing the Arab nations even though it is going through a difficult phase. The Amir’s attendance and Qatar’s pledge of $50mn for Kuwait’s initiative to create an Arab fund to support technology and digital economy, emphasise its pivotal role in the region.  At the same time, they send a strong message to the siege countries that their blockade will not deter Qatar from following its own policies towards Arab countries, including Lebanon. Amir was the only Gulf leader to attend the summit. His participation has dealt a strong diplomatic and political blow to those who tried to oppose Qatar. While some Arab and Gulf leaders want to ruin Lebanon economically and leave it politically paralysed, Qatar refuses to follow suit. It plans to invest in Lebanese government bonds to support the country’s economy. It will purchase Lebanese government bonds worth $500mn, it was announced yesterday.  These reckless countries aim to impose their self-serving policies on others in the region.  Unlike Qatar, which is not driven by narrow interests, they can only choose between surrendering their sovereignty or turning their countries into a battlefield for regional conflicts, or fall prey to terrorism and ignite political and security instability in the region. These are the countries that seek to gamble with the aspirations of their people who are looking for freedom, prosperity, peace and stability. Qatar’s support of the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza, the victims of the war in Syria and Yemen, as well as its establishment of a fund under the auspices of the African Union to cover the costs of evacuating irregular migrants and their reintegration into their communities are worthy of praise. Qatar’s openness to the Arab countries, including Lebanon, stems from the principle of constructive co-operation to serve the common interests, and its decisions are not driven by any other motives or agendas.  Qatar believes in the importance of joint Arab action as the only way to achieve sustainable economic development of the region.  This is an outstanding strategic direction adopted by Qatar, and an extension of the country’s influential role internationally.  Finally, Amir’s participation in the Beirut summit sends a clear message that he is a champion of the Arab people and their issues, and that Qatar continues to thrive despite the blockade and those who conspire against it.  Qatar has proved to the world through its support for the Beirut summit that it is practising its diplomacy with transparency and clarity.

The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) will hold this year’s conference with a three pillar programme of ‘Co-Exist’, ‘Co-Create’ and ‘Learning to Live and Work Together’.  WISE summit 2017, a premier international education conference, will be held in Doha from November 14 to 16 with the participation of a large number of educationists and opinion makers from around the world. WISE is a global initiative of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.   Just over two months to go for the biennial conference, WISE 2017 will address important education challenges in times of disruption and economic uncertainty stemming from conflict, mass migration, growing inequality, on-going, rapid technological change and other forces. The 2017 WISE Summit will also be an opportunity to rethink and reorganise the way learning is delivered in an age of disruption. Participants will explore and discover several topics that are shaping the future of teaching and learning including the impact of artificial intelligence on education, transforming roles of teachers and leveraging social entrepreneurship for innovation. The summit will also have several discussions on changing mindsets toward migrants, reimagining higher education in the connected world, the impact of nudging, connecting private and public actors and strategies to build future knowledge societies.  Challenges in education also present opportunities to break down old assumptions and bring forth the new ideas that are paving the way for positive disruption. With the topic of co-existing in a changing world, developing skills, attitudes and values to shape tomorrow, the conference will explore the role of innovation in education to cultivate values, behaviours and attitudes. It will address complex challenges, advance cultural cohesion and nurture global citizenship in the rapidly evolving world. The second pillar of co-creating knowledge societies; transitioning from knowledge economies to knowledge societies, will examine strategies, policies and practices to empower individuals to become highly skilful innovators who can drive economic development, contribute to social good and design our future world. The final pillar of the programme is learning to learn: New perspectives and practices in teaching and learning. It aims to discover new and emerging teaching and learning approaches that help learners develop relevant cognitive, social and emotional skills to live and work in an age of disruption.

The Cabinet Wednesday hailed the outcomes of the Lake Lucerne Summit and the first round of high-level US-Iran talks held under the Memorandum of Understanding signed in Islamabad, describing the progress as the opening of a new phase in negotiations between Washington and Tehran.  The meeting, held at the Amiri Diwan, was chaired by His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan al-Thani. Following the meeting, His Excellency the Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim bin Ali al-Mohannadi said the Cabinet, at the outset, commended the results of the talks held at the Burgenstock Resort in Switzerland, which brought together representatives of Iran and the United States alongside the two mediating countries, Qatar and Pakistan.  The Cabinet affirmed that the success of this round, the progress made, and the positive atmosphere throughout the talks establish a new phase in the negotiations, adding that the breakthrough would strengthen mutual trust and the shared conviction in the value of peace and the need to reach a final agreement in line with the agreed framework.  It expressed pride in the milestone achieved through Qatari diplomacy within the framework of the constructive partnership with Pakistan, and voiced hope that negotiations would continue in the same positive spirit and with genuine determination, leading to a final agreement that peacefully closes the chapter of conflict, enhances regional and international security and stability, and safeguards the interests of peoples in the region and the world.  The Cabinet also commended Qatar's performance across economic, business, institutional and social indicators in the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, issued by the International Institute for Management Development.  Qatar ranked first regionally and among the world's top five in economic resilience, first regionally and globally in the balance of trade indicator, and recorded the world's lowest unemployment rate.  On another matter, the Cabinet extended its condolences and deepest sympathy to the families of the victims of the accidental incident that occurred last Sunday evening at a facility in Ras Laffan Industrial City following a technical malfunction.  It prayed for the deceased and a speedy recovery for the injured, and expressed appreciation for the prompt and efficient response of the competent entities. The Cabinet then reviewed the items on its agenda and noted the Shura Council's approval of a draft law on food.  The draft law, prepared by the Ministry of Public Health, aims to ensure the safety and suitability of food across all stages of the food chain and verify compliance with applicable requirements, providing adequate protection for consumers against food-related risks.  Concluding the meeting, the Cabinet reviewed the 13th Annual Report on the Results of the Work of the National Committee for International Humanitarian Law for 2025, along with a report on the outcomes of Qatar's participation in the 64th Session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development, held in New York in February 2026, and took the appropriate decision thereon.

Qatar Chamber held a coordination meeting yesterday with the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) to discuss preparations for the ‘Private Sector Forum’, which will be held as part of the Second World Summit for Social Development, scheduled in Doha until November 6. The meeting was co-chaired by Engineer Nasser al-Meer, advisor to the chairman of Qatar Chamber for Labour Affairs, and Roberto Suárez Santos, secretary general of the IOE. Also present at the meeting were Mohira Kurbanova, governance officer at the IOE; Hamad Ali al-Marri, director of the Business Committees and Councils Affairs Department at Qatar Chamber; and Al-Anoud al-Mohannadi, director of the Member Affairs Department. During the meeting, participants discussed the themes and issues to be addressed in the ‘Private Sector Forum’ as part of the summit’s agenda. The discussions focused on aligning the forum’s topics with those of the summit, including subjects related to artificial intelligence, the circular economy, and training and supporting innovators aspiring to enter the business world. For his part, Santos praised the remarkable progress achieved by Qatar in the field of social development, noting that it serves as an inspiring model for many countries around the world.

The theme for this year’s Qatar National Day (QND) celebrations, With You It Rises, From You It Awaits, keeps people at its centre, which resonates with the focus and success of Qatar in achieving unprecedented progress in the realms of socio-economic and human development, Indian ambassador Vipul said in a message Monday. "On behalf of India, and the entire Indian community in Qatar, I wish to extend hearty congratulations to the leadership and people of the State of Qatar on the auspicious occasion of National Day of Qatar 2025,” he stated. "Today, Qatar is well-known all over the world not only for its energy production and world class infrastructure, but equally for being a thriving hub of culture, education, learning and sports,” the envoy said. “It has built some of the best known institutions in the fields of education and culture, such as Qatar Foundation, Qatar National Library and Qatar Museums,” Vipul pointed out. “In sports, we all fondly remember the success of FIFA 2022, as we also witness the excellent organisation of the FIFA Arab Cup this year.” "The forward thinking and inclusive approach of Qatar’s leadership, focusing on technology, innovation and sustainability as part of Qatar National Development Strategy, is opening up new vistas for development and co-operation,” the envoy continued. “The year 2025 has been important in this context, with Doha hosting prolific events like the Web Summit, Mobile World Congress, and AI Summit,” he said. "Qatar’s role in promoting regional peace and stability, including its mediation efforts in Gaza to achieve ceasefire and release of all hostages, is widely acknowledged and appreciated by all,” the envoy stated. “India stands firmly in support of peace and stability in the region and deeply values the important role played by Qatar in this regard.” “The Second World Summit for Social Development held recently in Doha demonstrated Qatar’s commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in our global sustainable development journey,” he added. "On Qatar’s National Day, I am delighted to recall that this year has been a special one for India-Qatar friendship, which dates back several centuries,” Vipul said. “We were honoured with the State Visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to India in February 2025, during which both sides elevated their relations to ‘strategic partnership’.” "The Indian community takes great pride in being a part of the incredible journey of Qatar over the past more than five decades,” the envoy said.“I am grateful to the entire leadership and people of Qatar for the warmth and support extended to the Indian community living in Qatar,” he concluded. “As we look ahead, we wish continued success to Qatar, and look forward to being a continuing partner for peace, progress and prosperity for all humanity." 

The World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), a global initiative of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, has selected the 20 winners of its Innovation Showcases competition who will take part in the upcoming WISH summit to be held in Doha on November 29 and 30. The Innovation Showcases at WISH provides a platform for young entrepreneurs to exhibit their innovations in the presence of some of the world’s leading health experts and policy makers.The aspiring healthcare leaders, who are all under the age of 30, will be given a chance to demonstrate their projects – ranging from practical devices and business models, to design-based solutions – to over 1,000 global experts at the summit. Artificial intelligence engines to 3D printing technologies are just some of the winners of this year’s WISH Innovation Showcases competition. Among the competitors, Mohamed Imran will be displaying a system called Artificial Intelligence for Digital Response (AIDR). In collaboration with Unicef, the system filters and classifies social media messages related to emergencies, disasters, and humanitarian crises. Imran stated that the increased use of mobile technologies and the proliferation of social media sites generate a huge influx of big user-generated data. “At Qatar Computing Research Institute, my team and I have developed novel computational techniques and technologies, which can help gain insightful and actionable information from online sources to enable rapid decision-making. We have developed AIDR, which combines human intelligence with machine learning techniques, to solve many real-world challenges during mass emergencies and health issues,” he said. Egbert Schillings, chief executive officer of WISH, said: “At WISH, we recognise that innovation in healthcare can take many forms, from meshing big data and design thinking to reducing infections to personalising medicine based on a patient’s genomic profile. What connects all of our Innovation Showcases though is that they create value for patients because of their potential to improve quality while reducing costs at the same time.”

Participants of the seminar organsied by Qatar’s Permanent Mission to the UN in co-operation with Qatar Foundation for Social Action. QNANew YorkQatar’s Permanent Mission to UN in co-operation with Qatar Foundation for Social Action (QFSA) organised a symposium on role of the family in the achievement of sustainable development goals beyond 2015. The symposium, which was held on the sidelines of the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit held in New York shed light on two axes - the first is the role of the family in the achievement of sustainable development at the national and international level, while the second one focused on the establishment of relations and links between civil society organisations in order to implement plans and decisions related to the development goals beyond 2015. Dr Ahmad Mohamed al-Muraikhi, director of the Department of International Development at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who chaired the seminar, affirmed that the family is a fundamental structure for transferring sustainable development goals away from violence and extremism. Amal al-Mannai, CEO, Qatar Foundation for Social Action, reviewed objectives of QFSA and the initiatives launched by the foundation in line with national trends and references. She stressed that Qatar had attached a special attention to the family and focused on as an entity that has an important role in the development society, it is also given its rightful place in all development plans. Dr Sharifa al-Emadi, executive director, Qatar Foundation for the Protection of Social and Rehabilitation, stressed the need to deal with the family as an entity and warned of fragmentation to individuals, noting the importance of establishing relationships and links between civil society organisations and state institutions related to development, economic growth in order to achieve sustainable development goals at the national level. It is worth mentioning that the secretary-general’s special adviser on post-2015 development planning Amina J Mohamed has participated in the seminar, stressing the family relationships as a key to development and shed light on the importance of family relationships in the Millennium Development goals related to targets and indicators purposes. Kelsey Zorki, UN Counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom and Susan Roylance, the international policy and social development co-ordinator for the Howard Center for Family, Religion and Society participated in the symposium.HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, the Assistant Foreign Minister for International Co-operation, participated in the world leaders meeting on gender equality and the empowerment of women, called for by the Chinese president and UN secretary-general. The meeting, which was held in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development, aimed to ensuring political commitment to implement the Beijing Declaration and to ensure the achievement of goals and objectives relating to gender equality in the development plan post 2015.

The Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations and the Permanent Mission of the Principality of Monaco to the United Nations, in their capacity as Co-Chairs of the Group of Friends of Sport for Development and Peace, organized an event in collaboration with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).Held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the event, themed "Leveling the Playing Field: Sport for Social Inclusion," was intended to mark the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2025.Addressing the event, HE UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Li Junhua, underscored the unique capability of sport in bridging gaps and reinforcing integration, highlighting its role in beefing up job opportunities, combating discrimination, and building the abilities to adaptation, particularly in vulnerable communities.HE Executive Director of UN Women, Sima Bahous, noted the critical role sport plays in empowering women, emphasizing that sport helps break conventional strictures that could prevent women's empowerment.The second part of the event featured the participation of a host of athletes who have differently contributed to backing the efforts aimed at promoting the role of sport in creating a positive change in the world and communities, chief amongst them being Sheikha Asma Al-Thani, the Qatari mountaineer and partner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); Jamal Hill, the American Paralympic swimmer and bronze medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games; Justin Morrow, the American professional soccer player, social justice advocate, and Director of Partnerships and Sports Programming at the University of South California's Race and Equity Center; Veronica Shiffi, the American basketball player at San Diego State University; and Tegla Loroupe, the Kenyan former long-distance runner and sprinter, and global advocate for peace and women's rights.Sheikha Asma Al-Thani shared her personal experience, emphasizing that sport has been a vehicle for self-expression, surmounting challenges, and inculcating the hope in women and girls in the region to have dreams and belief in their abilities. She stressed the importance of families' support for girls to engage in sporting activities, noting the remarkable surge in the number of female mountaineers in the State of Qatar and the Arab region, as a testament to the positive shift in societal norms.In addition, Sheikha Asma Al-Thani talked about the role sport plays in serving global issues, shining a spotlight on the profound symbolism of holding the UNHCR's flag aloft during her career as a message of solidarity with marginalized and displaced communities. She commended the State of Qatar's role in deepening sport diplomacy, highlighting the humanitarian and cultural legacy of major tournaments like the Football World Cup.The participants deliberated on the profound role sport plays in shaping their identities and expanding their social and humanitarian prospects, as the topics ranged from mental health, social justice, awareness about climate and water, to emerging generation empowerment. They underscored the importance of international cooperation to capitalize on the transformative power of sport in building more inclusive societies, particularly for the benefit of youth, women, and marginalized groups, calling for sport to be positioned as a central pillar within the agenda of the Second World Summit for Social Development, scheduled to be convened in Doha in November 2025. (QNA)