Director-General of Public Security and Vice-Chairman of the Civil Defence Council Major-General Mohammed Jassim al-Sulaiti has said that Qatar is committed to raising public awareness and encouraging home safety practices to strengthen preparedness and reinforce public safety. Marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), observed annually on October 13, Maj-Gen al-Sulaiti stressed the critical role that families play in embedding home safety practices and raising awareness of the measures required to prevent hazards and mitigate their adverse impacts. He called for a firmly established culture of prevention and safety, alongside preemptive preparedness to confront hazards, noting that this year’s IDDRR, held under the theme Resilience Starts at Home, provides an opportunity to underscore the family’s role in enhancing community safety and resilience. Maj-Gen al-Sulaiti reaffirmed Qatar’s support for the goals and priorities of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-30 on the global stage. He underscored the importance of strengthening international co-operation, sharing expertise, and building capacity to curb disaster risks and advance sustainable development. Director-General of the General Directorate of Civil Defence and Civil Defence Council member Major-General Hamad Othman al-Dehaimi underlined the importance of prevention and advance preparedness in confronting emergencies and mitigating their consequences. He noted that this observance offers an opportunity to strengthen awareness of the measures needed to build a community that is better prepared and more resilient in the face of hazards. This theme underscores the fundamental role the family plays in fostering a culture of prevention and safety, as well as raising awareness of the essential measures needed to address potential risks, Maj-Gen al-Dehaimi noted. He added that the Ministry of Interior, through its General Directorate of Civil Defence, has always been committed to advancing the prevention and safety system and enhancing preparedness and emergency-response capabilities. Maj-Gen al-Dehaimi also stressed the importance of fostering partnerships with multiple segments of society, recognising that disaster risk reduction requires an all-hands-on-deck approach, emphasising that relevant authorities must work in tandem with individuals and families, whose awareness of and commitment to safety requirements are essential to strengthening community security and emergency preparedness. He stressed that these combined efforts strengthen community security and enhance its capacity to respond to emergencies efficiently and effectively.

Qatar's Cabinet has called on government ministries and institutions to use His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani's address to the Shura Council as a guiding framework for their work in the coming period, as it approved draft legislation on children's rights and digital protection.His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani chaired the Cabinet's regular meeting in Doha Wednesday, a day after HH the Amir outlined national priorities at the opening of the Shura Council's new legislative session.Following the meeting, His Excellency the Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim al-Mohannadi said the Cabinet praised HH the Amir's address, which reviewed the challenges Qatar had faced in recent months and highlighted the country's resilience, institutional preparedness and priorities for the next phase of national development.The speech emphasised the importance of economic diversification, efficient government institutions and social solidarity, while calling for greater commitment to public service, the protection of public funds and the national interest. Expressing his appreciation for HH the Amir's prudent policies on the regional and global levels, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs instructed ministers to develop plans and programs to implement the address's objectives. The Cabinet also reaffirmed Qatar's foreign policy priorities, including co-operation with Gulf states, support for the Palestinian cause, and the pursuit of dialogue and peaceful solutions to regional crises. It praised co-operation between the Shura Council and the executive branch, highlighting the importance of legislation that supports the private sector and strengthens Qatar's investment environment.Moving to the regional developments, the Cabinet strongly condemned repeated Houthi attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, describing them as a serious violation of Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and a direct threat to regional security, civilians and civil aviation. It reaffirmed Qatar's full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for measures taken by the kingdom to protect its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. The Cabinet said Saudi Arabia's security was inseparable from Qatar's security and the collective security of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).On the agenda, the Cabinet approved draft legislation on children's rights and digital protection, alongside measures to strengthen safeguards for children and regulate radiation-related activities. The proposed child rights law, prepared by the Ministry of Social Development and Family as part of its 2025-30 strategy, aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework for children's care and protection, ensuring they grow up in a safe and stable environment. The Cabinet said the draft law would be published for 10 days on Qatar's Al Meezan legal portal and the Sharek platform to gather public feedback before undergoing legislative review.The Cabinet also approved a draft law on the digital protection of children, following a study coordinated by the Cabinet's General Secretariat in consultation with relevant authorities. The Ministry of Social Development and Family was tasked with taking further measures based on a separate study into digital safety among children and young people in Qatar.Also, the Cabinet approved a draft decision by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to introduce a radiation practice code covering nuclear gauges and well logging.Prepared in cooperation with QatarEnergy, the proposed rules aim to establish safety requirements for the possession, use, transport and storage of radioactive sources, in line with standards issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency.The measures are intended to strengthen oversight and protect workers, the public and the environment from radiation exposure. The draft will be published for seven days of public consultation before legislative review. The meeting concluded with the Cabinet approving draft memorandums of understanding on cooperation between the Qatari and Armenian justice ministries, and on transport and supporting logistics services between Qatar and Bahrain.Other matters reviewed included reports on government service fees, civil aviation security, labor co-operation with the Republic of North Macedonia and agricultural co-operation and food security among GCC states.

Qatar Airways Group has marked a major milestone in aircraft financing with the signing of its inaugural Japanese Operating Lease with Call Option (JOLCO) transaction, covering three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. HSBC and JP Lease Products & Services Co., Ltd. (JLPS) were integral partners in the financing, with HSBC acting as debt arranger and sole lender, and JLPS underwriting and arranging the JOLCO equity.In a statement, the group said that the signing marks the first of three transactions planned under Qatar Airways Group's inaugural JOLCO programme in Japan, supporting a total of seven aircraft. JLPS is serving as equity arranger across the programme. The transaction establishes the Group's presence in the Japanese aircraft financing market and further strengthens its financial partnerships across Asia.The transaction represents more than a financing milestone. Qatar Airways Group's entry into the Japanese JOLCO market demonstrates confidence in the airline from a highly selective investor community that supports top-tier airline credits. This first-of-its-kind agreement represents the Group's financial strength, credibility, and ability to attract diversified sources of international capital, and sets a positive precedent for the wider investment community.Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Hamad Ali Al Khater, said: "We view the JOLCO market as a strategic long-term funding source and expect to maintain a consistent presence as we finance future fleet investments and growth opportunities."This transaction provides Qatar Airways with an important foothold in the Japanese financing market, offering access to a deep pool of capital on extremely attractive financial terms. It further diversifies our funding sources, broadens our investor base, and positions the Group to support its future aircraft financing requirements efficiently and competitively."JP Lease Products & Services Co., Ltd. President and Chief Executive Officer, Teiji Ishikawa, said: "Japanese investors look first at the credit of the airline. Qatar Airways is a strong credit, and investors in Japan welcome this transaction. We are very pleased to have arranged the equity for the airline's first JOLCO. We do not see this as a single transaction. It is the start of a long-term programme, and we will continue to support Qatar Airways in the Japanese market for many years to come."HSBC Qatar Chief Executive Officer, Abdul Hakeem Mostafawi, said: "Building on HSBC's longstanding strategic partnership with Qatar Airways Group, HSBC is pleased to support Qatar Airways Group's inaugural JOLCO. Our role as debt arranger and sole lender in this transaction demonstrates our sector expertise and ability to deliver tailored solutions that support fleet expansion, diversify funding sources, and connect leading airlines with global capital.As Qatar Airways Group continues to expand its fleet and network, it remains focused on diversifying its funding sources and building long-term relationships with financial institutions and investors in Japan and beyond.