Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacys (SC) Secretary General Hassan al-Thawadi on Thursday said the first FIFA World Cup 2022 to be held in the Arab world will be a precious opportunity to drive real change across the region.
Speaking at a meeting with the Bundestag Sports Committee, al-Thawadi said Qatar was "determined to ensure we use it as a platform to drive real change across the region. We want to host an event that leaves its mark in history and is etched into global memories for positive reasons."
Al-Thawadi said Qatar has made significant progress in recent years towards enhancing workers' rights, adding that the dignity and safety of all workers in Qatar was of utmost importance.
The meeting focused on discussing a number of issues such as media freedom, tournament security, accommodation and transport, the impact of the blockade, and sports participation in Qatar.
On Germany's important role in the Qatar 2022 World Cup projects, al-Thawadi said: "We are lucky to have over 30 German companies involved in projects helping Qatar prepare for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. These companies have been involved in the development of major tournament infrastructure, including five of the eight stadiums that will be used in 2022."
Qatar's Ambassador to Germany Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani gave an overview of how the 2022 tournament is helping drive important elements of Qatar National Vision 2030, as well as how it is accelerating the rapid national labour reforms currently being implemented.
"I sincerely thank the Sports Committee in the Bundestag for welcoming us today and HE Hassan al-Thawadi for attending and illustrating the impact the 2022 FIFA World Cup is having and will have, both in Qatar and the wider region, long after the tournament.
"Qatar and Germany continue to enjoy a strong and fruitful relationship and I look forward to this continuing in the lead-up to 2022 and beyond," the ambassador said.
He also discussed how the tournament had accelerated reform for millions of migrant workers in the country adding that Qatar will shortly ratify a minimum wage policy.
Director of Global Initiatives of Human Rights Watch, Minky Worden, who also attended the meeting updated the committee on her priorities for improving workers' rights in Qatar and the progress she has seen to-date.
She praised Qatar's progress while encouraging further enforcement and reform.
The meeting was also attended by FIFAs Head of Sustainability Federico Addiechi and Head of Public Affairs and Corporate Communications Myriam Burkhard.
Stephanie Schulte, the German Football Association's Head of Social Responsibility, and Samy Hamama, Head of the Presidential Office, also spoke briefly and participated in the question and answer session.