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The Qatar Stock Exchange Thursday fell about 11 points on selling pressure especially in the banks, consumer goods and insurance sectors.The Gulf institutions were increasingly net sellers as the 20-stock Qatar Index was down 0.1% to 10,712.82 points, although it touched an intraday high of 10,792 points.The local retail investors’ weakened net buying had its influence on the main market, whose year-to-date gains truncated to 1.34%.More than 44% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation melted QR0.5bn or 0.08% to QR639.65bn, mainly on microcap segments.However, the domestic institutions turned net buyers in the main market, which saw as many as 0.07mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by AlRayan Bank) valued at QR0.15mn trade across 26 deals.The foreign institutions were increasingly bullish in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the rise.The Islamic index was seen making gains vis-à-vis declines in the other indices of the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Arab individuals were seen net buyers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Total Return Index was down 0.1% and the All Share Index by 0.14%; while the All Islamic Index was up 0.04% in the main market.The banks and financial services sector index fell 0.24%, consumer goods and services (0.16%), insurance (0.12%) and industrials (0.1%); while transport gained 0.16%, real estate (0.15%) and telecom (0.14%).As many as 18 stocks gained, while 23 declined and 11 were unchanged.Major shakers in the main market included Ahlibank Qatar, Industries Qatar, Doha Insurance, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, Qatar Islamic Bank, Lesha Bank, Dlala, Widam Food, Mekdam Holding and Qatar Electricity and Water.In the junior bourse, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution, Inma Holding, Al Mahhar Holding, Qamco, Qatar Oman Investment, Aamal Company, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Ezdan, Vodafone Qatar and Milaha were among the movers in the main market.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking increased substantially to QR45.33mn compared to QR0.4mn on December 3.The local retail investors’ net buying decreased marginally to QR5.81mn against QR6.98mn the previous day.However, the domestic funds turned net buyers to the tune of QR19.43mn compared with net sellers of QR2.61mn on Wednesday.The foreign institutions’ net buying strengthened significantly to QR16.74mn against QR0.23mn on December 3.The Arab individuals were net buyers to the extent of QR2.15mn compared with net sellers of QR3.17mn the previous day.The foreign retail investors turned net buyers to the tune of QR1.35mn against net sellers of QR0.41mn on Wednesday.The Gulf retail investors’ net profit booking eased perceptibly to QR0.14mn compared to QR0.62mn on December 3.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the second straight session.The main market saw an 11% jump in trade volumes to 105.91mn shares and 35% in value to QR365.49mn on almost doubled deals to 29,567.In the venture market, a total of 0.03mn equities valued at QR0.06mn changed hands across 13 transactions. 

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has held an introductory workshop on mechanisms to combat harmful practices in international trade and their role in safeguarding Gulf industries.The two-day event was organised in co-operation with the GCC General Secretariat's technical bureau for anti-dumping duties.The workshop brought together specialists from the General Authority of Customs responsible for implementing anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard duties, along with ministry officials working in related fields.The programme aimed to raise awareness of the Common GCC Law on Anti-Dumping, Countervailing and Safeguard Measures, and to highlight the role of customs authorities in enforcing measures issued by the relevant ministerial committees, thereby helping protect regional industries from unfair trade practices.Participants were introduced to the types of harmful practices in international trade such as dumping, subsidies and surges in imports — and were briefed on the related local and regional legislations, including the Common GCC Law and relevant World Trade Organisation agreements. The workshop also outlined the role of the GCC's technical secretariat burrea in combating harmful practices and supporting Gulf industries.Discussions covered the economic impact of harmful trade practices, key outcomes achieved through the implementation of the anti-dumping law, and detailed procedures for filing complaints, conducting investigations and applying measures. The strategic role of customs authorities across GCC states in addressing such practices was also emphasised.The workshop concluded with a discussion session during which customs officials raised questions about the challenges related to implementing anti-dumping duties, while organisers presented proposed solutions and recommendations. 

The sixth edition of the Qatar Luxury Classic Cars Contest & Exhibition concluded on Sunday at The Pearl Island, awarding 20 winners across the competition’s various categories. The five-day event, organised by the Qatari Gulf Classic Cars Association, featured wide participation from across the GCC for the second consecutive year.In a press statement, His Excellency Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, chairman of the Association’s Board, said: “This year’s edition was defined by competitive energy among participants, giving it a truly exceptional character. It succeeded in attracting visitors from all GCC countries, creating a celebration that combines luxury with the heritage of automotive history.”He noted that the exhibition witnessed significant expansion in both area and number of participating cars, reaching 65 vehicles, the largest display since the exhibition’s inception. Omar Hussain Alfardan, vice-chairman of the Qatari Gulf Classic Cars Association, said: “The remarkable turnout at this year’s edition affirms the strong stature of this event and its growing role in enriching classic car culture in Qatar and the region.“The extraordinary audience engagement reflected a genuine passion for this historic world, reinforcing the exhibition’s position as an elegant platform that brings together car enthusiasts, experts, and designers. At the association, we remain committed to organising this event to strengthen Qatar’s position as a leading cultural and tourism destination, and to inspire the next generation with a spirit of authenticity and creativity,” Alfardan added.Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, Board Member, lauded the prestigious status the exhibition has earned among classic car lovers in Qatar and the GCC. This, he pointed out, was evident in the diverse participation from all GCC countries and in the unprecedented audience turnout, the largest ever recorded for a classic car event in the region.Hassan al-Bairami, winner of the Best Classic Car Restoration Project award for his 1968 Mercedes 230S and a participant from Kuwait, said: “This is our first participation in the Qatar Classic Luxury Cars Contest, and winning this prestigious award is the culmination of a full year of preparation and dedicated work.“We shipped 10 cars from Kuwait specifically to take part in this edition. It was a major challenge in terms of logistics and preparations, but the outcome was exceptional, we received three awards, which truly reflects the level of effort made by the entire team.”

The Gulf-Qatari Classic Car Association launched the sixth edition of the Qatar Luxury Classic Cars Contest & Exhibition 2025 at The Pearl Island yesterday, featuring some of the world’s rarest vintage vehicles.The expanded showcase, held under the honorary patronage of Qatar Museums (QM) Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, was inaugurated by prominent Qatari businessman and philanthropist HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani. He is also the chairman of Al Faisal Holding, and the founder of the Al Faisal Global Foundation for Culture and Knowledge. He was joined by Ahmed al-Hammadi, director general of the General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority and Chairman of United Development Company (UDC).Running until November 23 at Medina Centrale, the event is held under the direct supervision of the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA) and displays an array of classic vehicles from Qatar and across the GCC.HE Sheikh Faisal lauded the exhibition as a major milestone, driven by record-breaking regional participation for the second year running. He stressed that the extensive national support highlights Qatar’s resolve to protect its engineering history.“We are proud of the distinguished status this event has achieved regionally and globally. It has become a platform that brings together classic car enthusiasts, supporting institutions, and audiences passionate about industrial and engineering heritage. These events are not just about displaying cars — they tell stories of innovation, design, and history, enriching Qatar’s cultural identity,” he said in a press statement.Organisers noted that a competition will select the top cars across five categories, covering models from pre-1947 to 1995, with three winners in each category. Additional awards will recognise standout vehicles for authenticity, heritage preservation, and overall excellence. For the first time, winners will receive both financial and in-kind prizes.Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser bin Khalid al-Thani, Board Member of the association, stated that every edition aims to deliver added value by selecting the finest classic cars for display.Engineer Abdullatif Ali al-Yafei, secretary-general and Board Member, added: “The sixth edition of the event has witnessed broad participation from the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries, representing 40% of the total participating vehicles.”Qatar Museums CEO Mohammed Saad al-Rumaihi noted that this marks the first official presence of the Qatar Auto Museum in the exhibition, highlighting the institution’s role in showcasing cultural history and the artistic value of automobiles. This includes a remarkable display of the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, linking the exhibition to the origins of the modern automotive era.UDC CEO Yasser al-Jaidah stated that hosting the event at The Pearl Island adds a prestigious dimension to the island’s lineup of high-profile cultural and luxury experiences. He stressed that the exhibition offers a unique opportunity for visitors to view some of the world’s rarest classic vehicles in an environment that blends heritage with elegance.Hussain Omar Alfardan, CMO of Alfardan Automotive, stressed that sponsoring the event aligns with the group’s strategy to support Qatar’s growing passion for classic cars. He noted that this interest represents an appreciation of artistic and historical value. He also highlighted the aim of building a community around this passion and contributing to the economic and tourism sectors through sustainable events.Meanwhile, organisers added that Daam’s sponsorship of the exhibition underlines its dedication to preserving national heritage and cultivating cultural awareness. By supporting such initiatives, the fund seeks to deepen community engagement and foster intergenerational connections that honour Qatar’s enduring legacy.

Dick Cheney, celebrated as a master Republican strategist but defined by the darkest chapters of America's "War on Terror," was honoured Thursday in a funeral attended by Washington's elite that pointedly left out President Donald Trump.Cheney's career over half a decade reads like a catalogue of American statecraft, even as his long shadow over foreign policy — as defence secretary during the Gulf War and as the 46th vice president under George W Bush — still divides the country.Bush and fellow former president Joe Biden were among more than 1,000 guests at the Washington National Cathedral. But Trump, who hasn't commented on Cheney's death, and his vice president JD Vance were not invited.Every living former vice president — Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore and Dan Quayle — were in attendance, along with generals, foreign dignitaries and Supreme Court justices. "Vice President Dick Cheney was an American patriot who served this country like very few in our history, and I was always inspired by his by his quiet and steady leadership," Pence told cable news network MS NOW outside the cathedral. Bush was due to deliver a tribute, along with Cheney's daughter Liz — famously ousted from the congressional Republican Party over her opposition to Trump.Praised for his intellect and described by historians as the "most powerful vice president in modern US history," Cheney was admired as a strategist of unusual clarity, and a steady hand who helped steer the nation through its darkest hours.His career spanned the Cold War, the Gulf conflict and the turbulent aftermath of the September 11 attacks. As vice president under Bush, he redefined a traditionally ceremonial role into one of unparalleled influence, helping drive national security policy and expanding presidential authority.He was said to embody the paradoxes of power as a meticulous behind-the-scenes operator who often found himself in the spotlight, a staunch conservative and a statesman regarded both as indispensable and dangerous. Flags across states were lowered to half-staff after his death on November 3. But looming over every tribute will be the darker side of his legacy: the expansion of executive power, the "War on Terror," the invasion of Iraq and the now-infamous debate over America's use of torture.For critics, he was the architect of some of the nation's most calamitous decisions, a politician whose belief in executive power and aggressive foreign policy left deep scars at home and abroad. Cheney was a key advocate for the 2003 invasion of Iraq — famously stating that "there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction" — a conviction that haunted his legacy after the intelligence unraveled.He championed sweeping surveillance powers under the Patriot Act and defended controversial "enhanced interrogation" tactics. But Cheney underwent a late-career reinvention as a critic of his own party's populist drift.A vocal detractor of Trump, whom he called a "threat to our republic," he even endorsed Harris, the president's Democratic election rival in 2024. Trump's absence from the funeral reflected the ideological rifts that divided Washington and the wider United States during Cheney's final years, and the demise of the bipartisanship valued by the oldest generation of Washington power-brokers.The president has been silent on Cheney's death, although his press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Trump was "aware" of his passing. Responding to criticism from Cheney, Trump once described the former vice president as an "irrelevant RINO" — meaning "Republican In Name Only" — and a "king of endless, nonsensical wars, wasting lives and trillions of dollars."

The Gulf Studies Centre at College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University (QU), organised the 10th edition of its annual multidisciplinary conference, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and experts from academic institutions across the Gulf region and beyond.Under the theme ‘Bridging Tradition and Progress’, this year’s conference featured more than 10 speakers from QU and other regional and international universities, including Kuwait University, Abu Dhabi University, Bahrain University, Lebanese University, Colombia University, Oxford University, and the University of Edinburgh, in addition to experts from Unesco.Through seven specialised academic sessions, participants discussed topics related to family, artificial intelligence (AI), cultural diplomacy, law, language, and other issues connected to social transformations in the region.The sessions addressed themes related to national identity amid globalisation, the role of the family in social and economic development, and the relationship between modernisation and cultural continuity.The discussions highlighted the challenges faced by Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries as they work to balance modernisation requirements with the preservation of heritage and social traditions.In her remarks, Dr Fatima Ali al-Kubaisi, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at QU, noted that culture, national identity, and the role of the family form essential pillars of national development, making the integration of cultural discourse into development strategies a necessity across the region. She said the college’s commitment to expanding research efforts focused on national identity in the context of rapid global change. She added that the conference deepens understanding of developmental trajectories in Gulf societies and strengthens the exchange of expertise while drawing on international models in identity and cultural studies.This, she said, reinforces QU’s standing as a leading research destination in the region. Dr Maryam al-Kuwari, director of the Gulf Studies Centre at QU, noted that the conference themes address a wide range of issues, including national identity in the context of globalisation, the role of the family in social and economic development, and the relationship between modernisation and cultural continuity.

Gulf Warehousing Company (GWC) celebrated World Quality Week 2025 on November 10-14, through a series of educational, and strategic activities highlighting the company’s achievements, with the participation of heads of Quality and Safety departments and employees across the organisation.Matthew Kearns, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of GWC, stated: “Our celebration of this occasion reflects our commitment to applying the highest international quality standards across all our facilities, operations, and business units, a commitment that has earned GWC a wide range of ISO certifications across multiple sectors. “This ongoing pursuit of excellence enables us to enhance product and service quality, increase customer satisfaction, optimise operational costs, boost profitability, and strengthen a culture of continuous improvement, while minimising errors and risks. Quality management remains a fundamental pillar for sustainable growth in today’s evolving business environment.”The World Quality Week 2025 is a global celebration of quality organised by the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) under the theme “Quality: Think Differently”. The event focuses on encouraging new ways of thinking about quality management to drive success and innovation.Kearns emphasised that GWC has successfully integrated quality management into its business model across all stages of its operations and activities, with the aim of achieving operational excellence and reinforcing its position as one of Qatar and the Middle East’s leading logistics companies.**media[382395]**This approach ensures the enhancement of competitive capabilities, expansion of market share, and full compliance with international and global standards. He further noted that GWC continues to make dedicated efforts to strengthen a culture of quality management among its employees, while simultaneously expanding the adoption of the latest technological innovations in the logistics and supply chain sectors.GWC stands today as one of the leading logistics providers in the Middle East and North Africa, offering end-to-end logistics and supply chain solutions. The company is also the largest privately owned entity specialising in the development of logistics hubs in the region, having built world-class infrastructure spanning over 4mn square meters to serve both domestic and international clients.GWC continues to expand its footprint and enter into management agreements for major logistics infrastructure projects. Its service portfolio covers a wide range of solutions, from supply chain management and third- and fourth-party logistics (3PL and 4PL) services, to dedicated logistics zones serving specialised industries such as oil and gas, particularly in Ras Laffan and Mesaieed Industrial City.

The seventh Gulf Businesswomen's Forum, organised by the Federation of GCC Chambers (FGCCC) in co-operation with the Qatar Chamber (QC) and with the support of the General Secretariat of the Co-operation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), concluded on Thursday. The event was held under the theme "Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Investment". The forum's final statement, issued after two days of discussions, called for encouraging Gulf women to enter promising economic sectors, promoting digital transformation and the adoption of modern technologies in women's business projects, and empowering them to utilise smart solutions to enhance efficiency and competitiveness. The statement also emphasised the need to increase the participation of Gulf women in non-traditional sectors such as technology, renewable energy, creative industries, and financial technology through specialised training and development programs. **media[381270]** The statement recommended activating the "Gulf Businesswomen's Platform," launched during the forum, to serve as a unified Gulf database for communication and the exchange of investment opportunities among businesswomen. It further recommended supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) led by Gulf women through joint financing and training initiatives. Assistant Secretary-General of the FGCCC, Noura al-Salem affirmed the Federation's commitment to following up on the implementation of the forum's outcomes and recommendations in coordination with relevant authorities in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries. This aims to support the Gulf women's entrepreneurship ecosystem and enhance its contribution to sustainable economic development. **media[381271]** The second day of the forum featured three working sessions and showcased further success stories of Gulf businesswomen and entrepreneurs. Board member of QC and Chairperson of the Qatari Businesswomen's Forum, Ibtihaj al-Ahmadani and several heads of participating delegations were in attendance. The first session, "Gulf Businesswomen and Sustainable Investment," explored the contribution of Gulf businesswomen to the knowledge economy, the challenges facing non-traditional investments, and the role of modern technologies in developing women's projects. The second session, "Women Entrepreneurs in the Gulf: From Tradition to Innovation," discussed the role of education and training in empowering Gulf women to engage in modern investments, the future of investments for businesswomen in the Gulf within the framework of Vision 2030, and the non-traditional sectors that have become a new destination for Gulf businesswomen. The third session, "Role of Arbitration in Enhancing the Gulf Women's Business Environment," addressed several topics, including the role of arbitration in protecting the investments of Gulf businesswomen, fair and transparent contracts as a guarantee for the success of Gulf businesswomen's investments, and resolving commercial disputes through arbitration.

Gulf Warehousing Company (GWC), Qatar's leading logistics and supply chain provider, and QC+, the Qatari strategy group that develops new pathways for value across hospitality, retail, tourism, and the wider cultural economy, have announced plans to develop a state-of-the-art hub in the Gulf Region for fine art storage and handling.Located in a designated free zone in Doha, the facility will meet rising regional demand for art storage and logistics while contributing to Qatar's 2030 National Vision by expanding high-value economic activity in the creative and cultural industries.Acting Group CEO of GWC Matthew Kearns, said: "With over 15 years of experience in fine art logistics and as the first Middle East-based company accredited by ICEFAT, GWC brings proven expertise to this partnership. Combined with Qatar's vision for cultural and economic diversification, this project represents a new benchmark for integrated art infrastructure and creative economy growth in the region."CEO of QC+ Kirstin Mearns, said: "The Gulf is no longer an emerging market for art. It is a global player, as demonstrated by the announcement of Art Basel Qatar. QC+ and GWC will use our combined expertise to provide innovative and industry-leading fine art logistics solutions. This collaboration reinforces Qatar's position as a global centre for culture and creativity, and for the commercial infrastructure that supports both."The Doha facility will provide museum-grade preservation, secure storage, and professional care for artworks and cultural assets, supported by a conservation laboratory, private and shared storage spaces, viewing rooms, and custom-bonded areas for art logistics and handling.It will also include learning and collaboration zones designed to advance local expertise in art preservation and management. The facility will also benefit from its proximity to Hamad International Airport, a major international transit hub and one of the largest airports in the region, designed to handle a high volume of passenger traffic and cargo from around the world.The project aligns with Qatar's growing role as host to major cultural events, including Art Basel Qatar in February 2026, and will further connect Qatar's creative economy with the world.

QNB Group and the Qatar Chamber have signed a sponsorship agreement for the Seventh Gulf Businesswomen Forum, under which QNB will sponsor the event as a Strategic Partner.The agreement was signed by Qatar Chamber acting general manager Ali Bu Sherbak al-Mansouri and QNB Group executive vice-president of SME Banking Ismail Mohamed al-Emadi, in the presence of Federation of GCC Chambers (FGCCC) secretary-general Saleh bin Hamad al-Sharqi and Qatar Chamber board member Ibtihaj al-Ahmadani, who is also chairperson of the Qatari Businesswomen Forum.Organised by the FGCCC, in co-operation with the Qatar Chamber and with the support of the General Secretariat of the Gulf Co-operation Council, the forum will be held under the slogan ‘Entrepreneurship and Investment Sustainability’ on November 12-13 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Msheireb, Doha.The forum aims to strengthen entrepreneurship and promote sustainable investment among businesswomen in GCC countries. It will highlight mechanisms for supporting women’s participation in sustainable investment and explore ways to transition from traditional business models to more innovative, digital, and knowledge-driven approaches, in line with the GCC’s collective vision for a knowledge-based economy.Al-Mansouri said, “We highly value QNB Group’ s sponsorship of the forum, which reflects the bank’s steadfast commitment to supporting Qatari and Gulf women, enhancing their participation in driving economic transformation, and representing the private sector in regional and international arenas.”He emphasised that the partnership with QNB represents a significant contribution to the success of the forum, reinforcing its position as a leading Gulf platform for dialogue and networking among businesswomen, as well as a venue for exchanging expertise, exploring investment opportunities, and fostering co-operation on future projects.QNB Group’s sponsorship represents a strategic platform for the economic empowerment of female business owners in GCC countries, reflecting its commitment to supporting their role in accelerating the transition towards a knowledge economy in the region.The sponsorship also supports the ongoing partnership with Qatar Chamber, reflecting joint efforts to promote women’s business entrepreneurship to more innovative and digital-based approaches, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the sustainable development strategies of GCC countries.

The Ministerial Committee for Standardization Affairs of the GCC countries, has adopted 14 new draft Gulf technical regulations and converted 25 existing technical regulations into Gulf standard specifications. It also withdrew 34 technical regulations to keep pace with international developments and technological advancements in the markets.This occurred during the Committee's tenth meeting yesterday in Kuwait, chaired by the Kuwait's Minister of Commerce and Industry, and attended by ministers, heads of national standardization bodies, and delegations from member states.At the beginning of the meeting,Chairman of the GCC Standardization Organization, Engineer Nawaf bin Ibrahim Al Mana, presented the organization's progress report for the period from April to September of last year. The report highlighted key achievements and projects implemented in the fields of standardization, conformity assessment, and metrology, as well as strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening Gulf economic integration and supporting the competitiveness of Gulf industries.The esteemed committee also approved the Gulf Standardization Organization's budget for the fiscal year 2026, along with adopting the updated organizational structure and strategic plan for the period 2026-2030.These decisions come within the framework of ongoing efforts to develop the Gulf standardization system and enhance its institutional integration, contributing to the realization of the GCC Standardization Organization's 2030 vision, which aims to raise the efficiency of the legislative framework supporting Gulf products and improve their competitiveness in regional and global markets.These results also reflect the commitment of the Ministerial Committee and the GCC Standardization Organization to continue joint Gulf action in the fields of standardization, quality, and conformity assessment, and to consolidate the GCC system's position in regional and international forums, in line with the GCC Vision 2030, which aims for sustainable industrial and commercial development and enhanced economic integration among member states.

The School of Social Sciences and Humanities at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, in partnership with the Asian Association of World Historians (AAWH), inaugurated on Saturday 25 October 2025 the 6th Congress under the title "The Gulf and the World".The two-day event is being held with the participation of an elite group of scholars and historians from Asia, Europe, the United States and the Arab region.It comes as a continuation of the Association's previous conferences held in Osaka (2009), Seoul (2012), Singapore (2015), Osaka (2018) and New Delhi (2022), thereby affirming the Association's leading role in advancing research and education in world history with a special focus on Asia and enhancing south, south scholarly dialogue.The conference program includes four keynote lectures and thirteen academic sessions, in which approximately fifty research presentations will be delivered in a hybrid format combining in-person attendance and online participation.President of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Dr. Abdelwahab El Effendi affirmed that holding this conference for the first time in the region represents an important step toward understanding the interconnection between Asia and global history.El Effendi said that Asia is not just a part of the world; one could say it is the world itself, as the great beginnings of humanity originated here.He added that the fragmentation of identities, Arab, Indian, Japanese, and others, has led each to view itself as an independent world, and this is the essence of the challenge to the historical unity, stressing the need to value our shared history and to restore awareness of the united destiny of the peoples of Asia and Africa.For her part, President of the Asian Association of World Historians Sucheta Mahajan said: "Holding the 6th Congress of the AAWH at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies marks a milestone in the Association's trajectory, which has sought since its establishment to institutionalise studies in global and transcontinental history in Asia." After noting that East Asian cities had hosted the event for years, she continued: "Its convening in Doha, in West Asia, embodies the Association's inclusive Asian dimension and strengthens the scholarly dialogue from the Gulf to the eastern part of the continent."Mahajan added: "We have received a wide range of papers that transcend the traditional conference themes, to highlight world history from a new Gulf and Asian perspective. The hybrid format of the conference also enables wide global participation, making it truly an international event anchored in a solid Asian base."Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Humanities at the Doha Institute Amal Ghazal said: "The congress brings together a distinguished group of researchers and historians from Asia, Europe, the United States and the Arab region to discuss historical issues from a perspective that places the Gulf region and the Asian continent at the heart of global economic, cultural and political transformations."She added: "This event is the fruit of an academic collaboration between the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies and the Asian Association of World Historians, aimed at enhancing south-south academic dialogue and expanding the horizons of comparative historical research. The congress constitutes a platform for dialogue among historians from diverse backgrounds and historiographical schools and is an opportunity to re-centre the history of the Arabian Gulf within the context of Asian and world history."Following the opening session, parallel sessions began. Led by Issam Nassar (Doha Institute for Graduate Studies), a session titled "The Gulf in the World" convened, during which papers on national identity, Gulf diplomacy and the comparative history of regional relations were discussed. At the same time, two other sessions were held: "Late-20th Century Transformations", chaired by Shigeru Akita (Osaka University, Japan), and "Techniques of the Past and Future", chaired by Hong Liu (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore); these addressed energy transformations, political economy and technologies in modern and contemporary history.