The State of Qatar is a regional leader in countering terrorism and has made significant contributions to global efforts to defeat terrorism.

In addition to hosting Al Udeid Air Base, the forward headquarters for US Central Command, Qatar is a significant supporter of the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF).

Qatar is the only Arab state to join GCERF and will host the December 2017 GCERF board meeting.

On July 11, the State of Qatar and the United States of America signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding governing the principles of mutual cooperation on counter-terrorism.

The purpose of the MoU is to further advance the significant progress that Qatar has made to counter terrorism and create a template for others in the region to replicate.

"For two decades, Qatar has partnered with the United States, the United Nations, and key allies to address terrorism and extremism wherever it exists at home, in the region, globally," said Abdulaziz al-Ansari, chairman of National Counter-Terrorism Committee.

"This year Qatar was presented with the opportunity to further enhance cooperation with American intelligence and law enforcement agencies around counter-terrorism and be the first and only country in the region to commit to this memorandum of understanding. We signed the MOU because we seek to defeat terrorism in all forms and bring those that support it to justice."

Since the signing of the MoU, Qatar has built on its strong foundational programs to address terrorism and extremism with direct cooperation between the Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Central Bank, State Security, Public Prosecution and the US State Department, Department of Treasury, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

There is also increased information sharing on known or suspected terrorists and terrorist organizations with the US Department of Homeland Security.

There is also the enhanced implementation of UNSC resolution designation groups and regular reports to the UN 1267 committee as well as the enhancement of border controls and aviation security on adherence with UNSC 2178.

Qatar has also made progress in the establishment of a fully functional and operational domestic designations regime; Independent audits and review of informal financial and charitable sector; Protocols for capacity building, technical assistance and training expertise with the Department of Justice and Department of Treasury.

Under the MoU, Qatar and the United States also committed to periodic counter-terrorism focused discussions that will be attended by all relevant departments and agencies in both countries.

The meetings will be used to set target dates and deadlines for initiating and/or completing all activities agreed upon between the countries.