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Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), Qatar is launching one of the region’s most significant joint security events — the Arabian Gulf Security 4. This large-scale tactical exercise brings together security agencies from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and strategic partners from the United States, underscoring a shared commitment to collective defense, preparedness, and regional stability. Hosted by Qatar for the first time, the 11-day exercise officially begins this morning and marks a new chapter in regional security co-operation. Participating forces include security apparatuses from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait, alongside specialised US units. The event highlights the integration of Gulf expertise, the strengthening of operational partnerships, and the advancement of joint readiness across multiple security domains. Designed to address the evolving landscape of security challenges, Arabian Gulf Security 4 aims to enhance coordination mechanisms, unify response strategies, and reinforce the GCC’s capacity for effective crisis management. Over 70 complex scenarios will unfold across 260 hours of intensive field exercises, testing operational measures, decision-making frameworks, and communication across command levels. The exercise covers a wide spectrum of simulations—including counter-terrorism, civil unrest, cyber threats, border security, and natural disaster response — allowing participating forces to test and refine both tactical capabilities and command-and-control structures. Aligned with international standards and best practices, the drill places strong emphasis on interoperability, information sharing, and rapid deployment readiness. Extensive preparations throughout 2025 saw a series of coordination meetings held in Doha, during which Qatar played a leading role in operational planning and logistical alignment. This leadership further underscores Qatar’s growing stature as a regional hub for security innovation and coordination. “Qatar has once again proven its ability to serve as a hub for high-level coordination and security innovation in the Gulf,” a regional analyst, reflecting widespread recognition of the country’s organisational capacity and strategic vision, said. Arabian Gulf Security 4 will conclude on February 4, with participating states conducting joint evaluations and sharing outcomes to refine collective security frameworks and sustain long-term cooperation among GCC partners. 

Qatar’s global LNG strength and Greece’s role as Europe’s energy gateway are converging into a partnership that will define energy resilience and regional connectivity in 2026 and beyond, an official of the Greece-Qatar Business Council & Friendship Committee has said.Panagiotis G Mihalos, the committee’s founder and chairman, said the complementarity between Qatar’s reliability as a source of liquefied natural gas and Greece’s infrastructure, including LNG/FSRU terminals and interconnectors, offers Europe a more diversified and resilient energy architecture.“There is a natural complementarity. Qatar is a global leader in LNG, offering reliability and long-term strategic vision. Greece, meanwhile, has emerged as a critical gateway for energy into Europe, particularly through LNG/FSRU terminals and regional interconnectors. In addition, through IMEEC, our cooperation can expand, in the future, to electricity or even hydrogen,” Mihalos told Gulf Times in an exclusive interview.Mihalos, who is also founder and president of the Georgios M Mihalos Foundation and the Nisyros Dialogues – Bridging the East Med, pointed to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) as a framework where Qatar can act as both an energy and logistics hub.“Corridors are not just physical routes; they are corridors of trust, and Qatar understands this better than most,” he emphasised.Mihalos outlined three levels of co-operation: strategic energy partnerships, joint infrastructure investments, and knowledge exchange on resiliency and sustainability. At the same time, he proposed institutionalising an annual Greece-Gulf strategic dialogue on energy security and connectivity, linking policymakers, industry leaders, and thinkers.Looking ahead, Mihalos pointed out that the partnership must evolve into a long-term institutional presence. “We intend to institutionalise this co-operation. Not as a one-off presence, but as a long-term partnership with the Doha Forum and Qatari institutions,” said Mihalos, who was in Qatar and participated in the Doha Forum.Mihalos said he sees Qatar as a trusted bridge-builder in energy and diplomacy, particularly at moments when traditional diplomacy struggles. “Qatar’s credibility, patience, and commitment to a peaceful mediation position make it a stabilising force across regions,” Mihalos explained.Asked if he were to design a Qatar-focused dialogue under his foundation, Mihalos said he would prioritise peace mediation, energy transition and connectivity, the role of culture in diplomacy, strategic migration governance, and environmental resilience. He highlighted water management as a shared challenge between island ecosystems, such as Nisyros, and arid environments, like Qatar, suggesting the exchange of knowledge on sustainability.He also underscored the importance of embracing the digital frontier: “We must address digital diplomacy and the ethics of artificial intelligence as technology is rapidly reshaping geopolitical dynamics. Understanding the intersection of innovation and statecraft is crucial, as we aim to ensure that emerging technologies serve as bridges for co-operation rather than instruments of division,” Mihalos stressed.He added that the dialogues must focus on moving from crisis management to co-operative foresight: “Ultimately, that is the shared philosophy of Qatar, the Doha Forum, and the Nisyos Dialogues.” 

Jassim Ibrahim al-Mansouri has been appointed to lead the Arab Weightlifting Federation’s Development Committee, marking a significant expansion of Qatari influence in the sport’s regional governance. The selection of al-Mansouri, who serves as the Secretary-General of the Qatar Weightlifting Federation (QWF), was finalized during high-level meetings in Doha this month. He will now concurrently chair the Development Committees for both the Arab and West Asian Weightlifting Federations for the 2025–2029 electoral term. Al-Mansouri is not the only Qatari official moving into a high-ranking regional role. Khalid Abdul Aziz Nabina, Assistant Secretary of the QWF, has been named Chairman of the Athletes' Committee for the Arab Weightlifting Federation. The appointments are part of a broader "administrative sweep" during the December 2025 election cycle in Doha, which also saw Mohammed bin Yousef al-Mana re-elected unopposed as President of the Arab Weightlifting Federation. Direct line to global decision-makingThis regional reshuffle significantly strengthens the link between Middle Eastern weightlifting and the global stage. Both al-Mansouri and Nabina already hold active seats on International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) panels: Al-Mansouri: Member of the IWF Innovation and Development Committee.Nabina: Member of the IWF Governance Committee. By securing the chairmanships of the Development and Athletes' committees, Qatar now holds direct oversight of the two most critical pillars of the sport’s regional growth: Technical Modernization: Al-Mansouri will lead efforts to upgrade training standards and infrastructure across 19 member nations. Athlete Welfare: Nabina will spearhead initiatives regarding athlete rights and representation, a key area of focus for the IWF as it looks toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Officials state these selections reflect a growing regional confidence in Qatar’s "administrative and technical expertise," moving the nation beyond its reputation as a world-class host and into a role as a primary architect of the sport's future. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone call with Kaja Kallas, who serves as the European Commission's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy relations. The call dealt with bilateral relations between Iran and the EU, as well as current regional and international developments.During the call, the two sides discussed the Iranian nuclear program, where they emphasized the importance of continuing contacts and consultations between Iran and the European parties regarding the issue.Regarding other developments, Araghchi pointed to Israel’s ongoing violations of international law, and its practices of violations, crimes, and assaults in the West Asia region, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territories and Lebanon, stressing the responsibility of the international community to put an end to them.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met in Cairo on Sunday with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to discuss the latest regional developments, foremost among them the situation in the Gaza Strip.During the meeting, Abdelatty highlighted Egypt’s efforts, in coordination with regional and international partners, to uphold the Sharm el-Sheikh peace agreement and ensure its full implementation as a prelude to initiating reconstruction and fostering stability in the Gaza Strip, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.The statement added that Abdelatty referred to the ongoing preparations to convene the Cairo Conference on Early Recovery, Reconstruction, and Development in Gaza, with broad Arab and international participation.On the bilateral front, Abdelatty emphasized the importance of convening the 10th Session of the Egypt-Lebanon Joint Higher Committee to further strengthen relations and enhance consultations on various issues of mutual concern.He also underscored Egypt’s keenness to advance economic and trade relations with Lebanon across all sectors, as well as to activate existing agreements and memoranda of understanding to give fresh momentum to the path of bilateral cooperation.

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty held talks in Cairo with his Austrian counterpart Beate Meinl-Reisinger, focusing on regional developments — particularly the situation in the Gaza Strip — as well as ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.During the discussions, Minister Abdelatty emphasized the importance of fully implementing the agreement to end the war in Gaza and of initiating early recovery and reconstruction efforts.He also stressed the need to ensure the unimpeded delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip to meet the urgent needs of its population.In this context, Abdelatty expressed hope that Austria would actively participate in the upcoming international conference on early recovery, reconstruction, and development in Gaza, to be hosted by Egypt later this month, in a way that meaningfully supports the Palestinian people.Regarding bilateral relations, the Egyptian Foreign Minister reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to enhancing all aspects of cooperation with Austria and to strengthening coordination on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Alfardan Automotive has proudly announced the opening of its state-of-the-art automotive and spare parts logistics hub at Umm Alhoul Free Zone. This milestone marks a major step forward in Alfardan Automotive’s strategic vision to enhance operational excellence, expand its logistics capabilities, and reinforce Qatar’s growing position as a regional leader in mobility and supply chain innovation. Located near Hamad Port, the new Alfardan Automotive Trading facility spans over 67,000 square-metre and has been developed as part of Alfardan Automotive’s long-term investment to deliver world-class automotive operations and customer service capabilities. **media[376116]** The facility includes a 12,860 square-metre built-up area and a 24 work bays Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) centre. It specialises in automotive and spare parts logistics, servicing passenger vehicles, motorcycles, heavy equipment, and related components. The hub is designed to handle a wide range of logistics functions, including indoor and outdoor vehicle storage with a total capacity of approximately 1,500 units, as well as temperature-controlled bays tailored for luxury vehicles. In addition, the 5,800 square-metre Alfardan Commercial warehouse accommodates premium tires, batteries, lubricants, and paints, ensuring seamless supply chain operations that meet the highest standards of quality and efficiency. The hub incorporates advanced logistics and inventory management systems to optimise import, and storage operations. The new hub underscores Alfardan Automotive’s enduring commitment to providing its partners and customers with exceptional service while driving innovation across the automotive value chain. **media[376117]** Omar Hussain Alfardan, Managing Director of Alfardan Corporation, commented: “Alfardan Automotive has built a long-standing legacy in Qatar’s luxury automotive market, delivering cutting-edge products while maintaining exceptional customer care and industry best practices. The opening of our regional logistics hub represents an extension of this commitment, offering a qualitatively elevated level of logistical services that enhances our operational capabilities, supports our dealership networks, and complements Qatar’s broader trading and economic activities. This hub reinforces the country’s growth as a regional centre for logistics and mobility, reflecting our shared vision for economic growth and sustainable development.” Developed in partnership with the Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ), the project reflects a shared vision to position Qatar as a premier destination for automotive logistics and advanced mobility services. QFZ has provided a world-class environment and infrastructure framework that enables strategic investments, such as Alfardan Automotive Trading’s new hub to thrive and contribute to Qatar’s national development objectives. This landmark facility will serve as a cornerstone for Alfardan Automotive’s future growth, empowering its brands and partners to deliver even greater efficiency, customer satisfaction, and sustainable progress within the mobility sector.

The State of Qatar has reiterated its firm position that the establishment of a nuclear-weapons-free zone in the Middle East is more urgent than ever, given the current regional and global security challenges. This was affirmed in a statement delivered by Khalid Ibrahim Al Mansouri, member of Qatar's delegation to the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, during the First Committee's discussions on nuclear weapons at UN Headquarters in New York. Al Mansouri stressed that the proliferation of nuclear weapons remains a deeply troubling concern for the international community, as it significantly heightens the risk of accidents and potential attacks—threats that carry catastrophic consequences for humanity and future generations. He warned that the continued development and modernization of nuclear arsenals, along with threats to use them, further exacerbate global tensions and undermine both regional and international peace and security. Qatar emphasized that global efforts to achieve comprehensive nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation are foundational to building safe and peaceful societies. Al Mansouri noted that the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons by the UN General Assembly reflects a growing international awareness of the dangers posed by nuclear proliferation, beginning with the risks associated with testing and weapons development. He further highlighted that the possession of nuclear weapons complicates existing armed conflicts, worsens regional crises, and contributes to a heightened state of global insecurity. In light of escalating tensions stemming from regional and international conflicts—as well as the increasing incorporation of nuclear weapons into military doctrines and continued testing of delivery systems, Qatar stressed the critical need for regional and international consensus in the Middle East. Building good-neighborly relations, he said, must be a priority for resolving disputes, enhancing security, and protecting civilians and vital infrastructure. Qatar reaffirmed its support for convening the sixth session of the United Nations Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction, scheduled for November this year. Al Mansouri also underlined the importance of the upcoming 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), set to take place from April 27 to May 22, and welcomed Vietnam's presidency of the conference. He expressed Qatar's full support for Vietnam's efforts and hoped the conference would yield substantive and positive outcomes. He reiterated the importance of implementing obligations arising from international agreements related to nuclear disarmament and emphasized the need for the responsible development of peaceful nuclear energy. He stressed the importance of preventing the leakage of radioactive materials across borders and called for robust safeguards under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure the highest standards of nuclear safety and security in a world where proliferation remains a pressing concern.

In a collective effort to advance sustainable development through education, education leaders and key stakeholders from across the Arab states concluded in Beirut Wednesday the ESD-NET Arab Region 2025 Regional Workshop. The two-day high-level strategic meeting aimed to accelerate the integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into national education systems and to strengthen regional collaboration to drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Hosted by the Unesco Regional Office in Beirut, in partnership with the Unesco Regional Office in Doha, the workshop serves as a key milestone in supporting Arab member states to operationalise the ESD-NET Global Network framework. It focuses on confirming the ESD-NET Terms of Reference, finalising the 2026–2027 Regional Roadmap, and aligning collective efforts to mainstream sustainability within education systems in the region. "This workshop is a new beginning towards a green and sustainable Arab education. Unesco, through its offices in Beirut, Doha, and its headquarters in Paris, is fully committed to supporting countries in this journey — strengthening education systems, empowering teachers, developing curricula, and building strong partnerships with communities and the private sector," said Maysoun Chehab, officer in charge of the Unesco Regional Office in Beirut. This gathering builds on the momentum generated by the 2025 ESD-Arab NET webinar series, which mobilised governments, civil society, the private sector and academic institutions to strengthen the ESD ecosystem in the Arab region. A key highlight of the workshop was the official launch of the Arabic language versions of the Greening Education Partnership’s resources, including the Green Schools Quality Standard and the Greening Curriculum Guidance. “These important resources will support countries in transforming learning environments and curricula to be more climate-responsive and action-oriented," said Salah Khaled, director of the Unesco Regional Office for the Gulf states and Yemen.

The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) announced that its president, Dr Salem Al-Naemi, has been awarded the honorary title of ‘International Ambassador for Social Responsibility’ by the Regional Network for Social Responsibility.The recognition celebrates Dr Al-Naemi’s exceptional and longstanding contributions to social responsibility and sustainable development, both nationally and across the Arab region, a statement said. The Regional Network for Social Responsibility is a professional non-profit organisation with global memberships in leading international institutions such as the UN Global Compact, the International Rehabilitation Organisation, and the International Union for Social Responsibility.Dr Al-Naemi was selected for the honour in recognition of his impactful leadership in embedding social responsibility principles within every institution he has served, it was explained.“This recognition is a reflection of the collective effort at UDST to champion social responsibility and sustainability,” Dr Al-Naemi said. “As educators and leaders, it is our duty to integrate these values into our academic and community initiatives, inspiring others to contribute to the well-being and development of society,” he added.During the ceremony in Doha, Prof Dr Ali al-Ibrahim, vice-president of the Regional Network for Social Responsibility stated that Dr Al-Naemi embodies the model of an academic leader who believes that education is not merely the transfer of knowledge, but a mission to build individuals, advance communities, and strengthen values.“Under his leadership, the University of Doha for Science and Technology has become a beacon of innovation, integrating education, social responsibility, and sustainability. Its initiatives have significantly contributed to national development, youth empowerment, and capacity building in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030.”The recognition is part of the Network’s International Ambassadors for Social Responsibility programme, launched in 2014 to honour distinguished figures from around the world who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to advancing social responsibility.With this accolade, Dr Al-Naemi joins a select group of Arab and international leaders recognised for their influence, dedication, and leadership in promoting ethical, inclusive, and sustainable practices at both the national and global levels, the statement added.

QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa , announced the successful refinancing of its $1.5bn unsecured syndicated term loan facility. QNB Group CEO Abdulla Mubarak al-Khalifa, commented:“This refinancing attracted the interest of global and regional banks and helped us further broaden our investor base. The issuance was substantially oversubscribed at very competitive all-in pricing, which despite challenging global markets demonstrates our standing as a high-quality issuer.” The $1.5bn facility, with a maturity of five years, was well supported by both regional and international banks with significant oversubscription. Global Coordinators of the facility were HSBC, DBS, and SCB, and Initial Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners were Mizuho, Barclays and JPM. HSBC was mandated as the Documentation Coordinator, DBS as Syndication Coordinator and Mizuho as Facility Agent.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed a range of regional and international issues, with a particular focus on the situation in the Gaza Strip. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. According to a statement released Sunday by Egypt's Foreign Ministry, Abdelatty emphasized the urgent need to intensify efforts toward reaching a cease-fire agreement in Gaza and ensuring the unobstructed delivery of humanitarian aid. The Egyptian minister reiterated his country's rejection of any proposals involving the displacement of Palestinians or the dissolution of the Palestinian cause. He condemned the Israeli practices of killing and starvation, and reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967, borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, which is essential for achieving stability in the Middle East. Abdelatty also praised the growing number of countries recognizing Palestinian statehood. He reaffirmed Egypt's full support for UN agencies operating in Gaza under difficult and dangerous conditions, particularly as Israel targets these agencies. He highlighted Egypt's ongoing support for Guterres and the UN, especially for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Abdelatty also announced Egypt's intention to host an international conference focused on early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, in coordination with the United Nations, the Palestinian Authority, and international partners, aimed at mobilizing support for rebuilding efforts. The minister further outlined Egypt's position on Sudan, reaffirming support for the country's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He stressed the importance of preserving Sudan's national institutions and called for intensified efforts to lift the siege on the city of El Fasher and alleviate the humanitarian crisis there.