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His Excellency the Governor of the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud al-Thani met Sunday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama Javier Martinez-Acha. During the meeting, they exchanged views on a range of topics of mutual interest, and discussed ways to enhance bilateral co-operation in relevant fields. 

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Doha last month highlighted Canada’s expanding partnership with Qatar, with culture positioned alongside trade, education, and innovation as a strategic driver of long-term bilateral cooperation.The visit coincided with the launch of the Qatar, Canada, and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture, a year-long programme designed to complement diplomatic momentum with cultural exchange across art, sport, education, and commerce.The Canadian media launches were held over a lunch in Toronto at the Aga Khan Museum on January 29, and in Ottawa at the Qatar embassy on January 30. In Toronto, Michael Bartlett, CEO Canada of Basketball, presented a basketball to Qatari dignitaries.“Through the Year of Culture with Canada, Qatar is investing in connections to sustain a strong, forward-looking strategic partnership,” said Qatar’s newly appointed ambassador to Canada, Tariq Ali Faraj al-Ansari. “These connections include skills-based development in sport sectors, creative exchanges, and bolstering the creative industries. By linking cultural exchange with economic opportunity and institutional cooperation, we are building relationships to endure beyond 2026.”The initiative reflects a shared approach to partnership that links cultural exchange with trade diversification, skills development, and market access, reinforcing cooperation beyond traditional state-to-state channels.Programming began in January in Doha with Canadian participation in the Qatar International Food Festival. Canadian chefs Christian Gosselin, Eric Chong, and Andy Hay took part in culinary showcases that highlighted innovation, craftsmanship, and Canada’s growing presence in the global culinary scene.Sport forms a key pillar of collaboration, building on a shared FIFA World Cup legacy. As part of preparations for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, Canada and Qatar are planning an international basketball friendly, linking the sport’s Canadian origins with Qatar’s expanding investment in global sport.Winter sport development is also a focus of the partnership with the Qatar Winter Sports Committee planning initiatives spanning youth participation, coaching development, and high-performance training. The committee will draw on Canadian expertise in ice hockey, curling, skating, and short track.Education and literacy will also play a central role throughout the year. Qatar Reads, led by Qatar National Library, is set to expand to Canada in August 2026. The programme brings Arabic storytelling, children’s literature, and creative workshops to Canadian audiences, while reciprocal programming will introduce Canadian cultural traditions to families in Qatar.As part of the programme, a Doha Debates Town Hall will take place in Canada, focusing on football and identity in the context of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Town Hall series is a signature platform for youth-driven dialogue on global trends. Each event encourages open, respectful exchange in a Majlis-style format rooted in the Arab tradition of collaborative truth-seeking.Photography and public art will further reinforce cultural and commercial ties between countries. Under One Sky, a touring exhibition reflecting on the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, will tour to several Canadian cities, while the Jedariart initiative will present large-scale murals by Qatari and Canadian artists in urban centres across both countries.The Qatar-Canada 2026 cultural partnership is designed to complement broader trade and investment objectives, positioning culture as a long-term platform for economic partnership, innovation, and sustained bilateral growth.Economic co-operation is embedded throughout the programme, with partnerships involving Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry expected to create new opportunities for Canadian companies through platforms such as Project Qatar and Hospitality Qatar. 

His Excellency Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud al-Thani, the Qatar Central Bank Governor and Chairman of the Qatar Investment Authority, Monday met with Jacob Helberg, the US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs.  During the meeting, they exchanged views on a range of topics of mutual interest, and discussed ways to enhance bilateral co-operation in relevant fields.

His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani Saturday received a phone call from Angola's Minister of External Relations Tete Antonio.During the call, they discussed ways to advance bilateral co-operation between the two countries, as well as to promote a peaceful solution pathway between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda.HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Qatar's unyielding position, calling for conflicts to be resolved through dialogue and peaceful means, and for the respect of international law principles to strengthen stability, global peace, and security.

Her Excellency the Minister of State for International Co-operation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad met Wednesday with the visiting Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky. Talks during the meeting focused on bilateral co-operation and ways to strengthen it, along with a range of matters of shared interest.  

His Excellency the Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani met with Spain's Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gomez, and the accompanying delegation. The meeting discussed bilateral cooperation in security fields and ways to enhance and further develop them, besides touching on issues of mutual concern. The meeting also witnessed the signing of a joint action plan between the interior ministries of the two countries in the areas of information exchange, counter-terrorism, and crime prevention, along with a joint statement between Lekhwiya and the Spanish interior ministry to advance security co-operation mechanisms. HE Sheikh Khalifa and Gomez signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.  

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the United Republic of Tanzania, Mussa Azzan Zungu, met with HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Tanzania, Fahad Rashid Al Muraikhi.During the meeting, the two sides discussed aspects of bilateral cooperation.

Qatar and Switzerland Monday held a new round of political consultations in Doha, aimed at strengthening bilateral co-operation. The meeting was chaired by His Excellency the Director of the European Affairs Department at Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fahad bin Mohammed Kafoud. The Swiss delegation was led by ambassador Monika Schmutz Kirgoz, Assistant Foreign Minister for Middle East and North Africa Affairs. Officials discussed bilateral relations and explored ways to deepen co-operation across shared areas of interest. The talks form part of an ongoing dialogue intended to develop ties and co-ordinate positions on regional and international issues.  

His Excellency Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sunday met with Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development of Russia, who is currently visiting Qatar. The two sides discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in the trade, investment and industrial sectors, as well as ways to further develop the ties. Qatar highlighted its economic policies supporting the private sector, in addition to the country’s pro-investment legislation, incentives and expanding opportunities offered to attract investors and business leaders to the Qatari market. 

His Excellency the Minister of Labour Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri met with Portuguese Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security Ana Mendes Godinho, alongside senior Portuguese labour authorities. The meetings aimed to strengthen bilateral co-operation, exchange expertise, and explore best practices in labour governance and workplace development.Discussions focused on enhancing collaboration between the two countries, promoting knowledge transfer, and identifying strategic opportunities to advance joint initiatives in occupational health and safety, social protection, and workforce development.His Excellency Dr al-Marri highlighted Qatar's proactive approach to digital transformation in the labour market. He noted that comprehensive reforms, including modernised labour legislation and advanced inspection systems, have been implemented to promote flexibility, fairness, compliance, and sustainable working conditions, particularly in the areas of occupational safety and health.The minister also emphasised the alignment between Qatar's experience in social protection and decent work with Portugal's policies.He stressed that collaboration between the two nations represents a forward-looking model that balances economic efficiency with social equity. Attention was drawn to the memorandum of understanding between the Ministries of Labour in Qatar and Portugal, which provides a framework for technical co-operation, joint training programmes, and the development of digital initiatives in labour inspection and workplace safety. The agreement further supports collaboration on social protection, youth engagement, and women's empowerment.

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud discussed bilateral cooperation and issues of mutual interest with French President Emmanuel Macron in a phone call on Monday. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the discussions also touched on the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and ongoing efforts to end the war and enhance security and stability in the Middle East. Both sides underlined the importance of immediately alleviating the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people, ensuring a complete Israeli withdrawal, and taking practical steps toward achieving a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.

Her Excellency Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation, met today with Walid Fahmy Al Faqi, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the State of Qatar.During the meeting, they discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the field of delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.