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Qatar Charity (QC) has launched an emergency relief project for Sri Lankan provinces hit by Cyclone Ditwah.Funded by Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and supported by the Qatari embassy in Colombo, the project comes after severe flooding and landslides left widespread destruction across the provinces.The event was attended by the charge d' affaires, Ali Salem al-Nuaimi, and Director of Qatar Charity's office in Sri Lanka Mahmoud Abu Khalifa, alongside several government and community representatives.The project aims to meet the urgent needs of affected families. Qatar Charity's field teams have begun distributing 1,800 food baskets, containing dry and canned food items, flour and rice, to families who lost homes and belongings in the floods that swept through most provinces, forcing thousands to seek refuge in schools, mosques, and higher ground.In co-ordination with the Disaster Management Centre, Qatar Charity is also providing essential equipment and tools for search and rescue operations, strengthening local authorities' capacity to respond to the cyclone's aftermath and future emergencies.According to the data from the Disaster Management Centre (released on Dec 6), the disaster claimed 607 lives, left 204 people missing, and affected more than 586,464 families (about 2,082,195 individuals). It completely destroyed 4,164 homes and partially damaged 67,505 homes, particularly in the Central and Eastern Provinces.Mahmoud Abu Khalifa emphasised that this urgent response reflects Qatar Charity's humanitarian mission to support vulnerable families regardless of race, colour, or religion. He noted that the intervention underscores Qatar and QFFD's commitment to global solidarity.Disaster and Emergency Relief Researcher at QFFD, Aisha Saad al-Jassim stated: "Our support for this project reaffirms QFFD's commitment to standing with communities affected by natural disasters worldwide. We believe that humanitarian solidarity is a moral duty, and delivering urgent aid helps alleviate suffering and restore hope."This initiative builds on Qatar Charity's longstanding role as a key humanitarian partner in Sri Lanka. 

Qatar Foundation's (QF) BilAraby initiative participated in the 'Al Sharq Youth 9th International Conference 2025', marking a further step in expanding its regional engagement and reinforcing its role as a platform for Arabic language knowledge, creativity, and innovation.BilAraby’s participation builds on its ongoing partnership with the Al Sharq Forum and reflects its role as a cultural and intellectual bridge connecting people and ideas within an authentic cultural framework.The conference recently took place in Istanbul under the theme ‘Tashkil Al Sharq: From Vision to Action’. BilAraby’s participation represented its second regional milestone, following its involvement in the Misk Global Forum in Saudi Arabia last month.Dr Said Ismail, professor of genomics at Hamad Bin Khalifa University ( HBKU) and BilAraby spokesperson, said: “Our presence at the conference sought to expand the impact of BilAraby and to introduce the initiative to creative Arab youth, whose engagement was strongly evident throughout the event.“The sessions we delivered served as an invitation for young people to contemplate locally driven solutions to the challenges confronting our societies, positioning our presence as a further step toward empowering youth through their language and creative capacities.”BilAraby’s involvement in the conference was structured around two main sessions designed to enrich intellectual dialogue. The first session, titled ‘The Future of the East in Its Roots’, was moderated by Hisham Nourin, executive director, Strategic Initiatives and Programmes at QF, and featured Dr Ismail and Mohamad Ali Bahri, Arabic language coordinator at HBKU.The second session brought together the BilAraby team, speakers, and strategic partners in a roundtable under the theme ‘The East Between Globalisation and Cultural Particularity’, which centred on a pivotal question: can the East redefine itself while preserving its identity? The session witnessed active participation and drew a large audience of youth from across the Arab world. 

Doha will host the Executive Office Meeting of the Arab Weightlifting Federation (AWF) on Sunday, followed by its electoral meeting, on the margins of the Qatar Weightlifting Federation's (QWF) concomitant hosting of three international, Arab, and Asian championships until Dec. 27, 2025. The three tournaments include the 10th Qatar International Cup 2025, the Arab Championships for youth, juniors, and seniors, and the West Asia Championships for the same age categories. This combined sporting event reflects the advanced standing Qatar occupies on the global map of championship organization. The Executive Office meeting will discuss a host of critical matters on the agenda, foremost among them the review of reports from coaching and organizational committees, monitoring the progress of developmental programs implemented during the past period, evaluating the Arab championships recently organized by AWF, and identifying key positives and challenges encountered in implementing coaching and administrative plans. The meeting will also address the AWF's strategy for the upcoming period, particularly regarding the expansion of Arab participation in weightlifting championships, supporting national federations in coaching and organizational matters, promoting talent discovery and refinement programs, and exploring avenues of collaboration with the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). This is in addition to related sports bodies, contributing to raising the coaching level of Arab weightlifters and strengthening their capacity to compete in continental and international events. Following the conclusion of the Executive Office meeting, the AWF, chaired by HE Mohamed bin Yousef Al Mannai, will hold its electoral meeting to elect a new Board of Directors to lead the Federation during the forthcoming phase, in accordance with the Statutes and approved regulations. The meeting will be attended by representatives of member Arab federations in a democratic atmosphere reflecting the Federation's commitment to transparency and sound governance. The electoral meeting is expected to witness positive competition among candidates, amid broad aspirations to continue the development and elevation of weightlifting, and to enhance its status on the Arab and global sports stage, particularly in light of the successes achieved by Arab weightlifters in recent continental and global championships. The election of a new Board of Directors marks a significant milestone in the Federation's institutional journey, reflecting its continuous pursuit to develop the weightlifting system across the Arab region.

The 10th Qatar International Weightlifting Cup 2025, Arab Weightlifting Championship and West Asia Weightlifting Championship started here on Saturday. The three simultaneous competitions are being held under the supervision of Qatar Weightlifting Federation (QWF). These events will run until December 27.This multi-tiered sporting event underscores Qatar’s prominent position on the global sports map and reaffirms its technical and organizational capabilities in staging major international competitions.The technical meeting for the three championships was chaired by Mohammed bin Yousef Al-Mannai, First Vice President of Qatar Olympic Committee, Vice President of the International Weightlifting Federation, and President of the Qatari, Arab, Asian, and Afro-Asian Weightlifting Federations.The meeting was attended by Mohammed Hassan Jaloud al-Shammari, President of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF); Mohammed Al-Harbi, President of the Saudi Weightlifting Federation; Jassim Ibrahim Al-Mansouri, Secretary-General of the Qatar Weightlifting Federation; Dr. Abdullah al-Jarmal, Vice President of the Asian Weightlifting Federation; along with representatives of participating delegations and members of the organizing and refereeing committees.

Qatar is ready to host the World Rapid & Blitz Championships 2025 from Dec 26 to 30, this was announced by Mohammed Ahmed Al-Mudahka, President of Qatar Chess Association (QCA) and chairman of the organizing committee of the tournament on Saturday.Mr Al-Mudahka was joined by Hamad Mohammed Al-Tamimi, Executive Director of QCA and the Tournament Director at a press conference at the Rosewood Hotel in Lusail."The FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships 2025 are taking place in Doha, Qatar from 25 to 30 December, bringing together the world’s elite chess talent for a thrilling end-of-year showdown," Al-Mudahka said on Saturday."The tournament will be held at the Sports and Events Complex, Qatar University," he added. "This edition features both Open and Women’s events in Rapid and Blitz formats, with a total prize fund of over €1,000,000. We are feeling proud that Doha returns as host after nine years, underscoring Qatar’s growing stature in the chess world," Al-Mudahka said.“Doha is now the only city to host the World Rapid & Blitz Championship twice, a milestone for chess and for sports in Qatar. It reflects our deep passion for the game and our commitment to delivering excellence. We are proud to welcome the world’s greatest players back to Doha, where ambition, tradition, and the future of our sport meet,” Al-Mudahka said.World Champion Gukesh D and Magnus Carlsen will join over 360 players who have confirmed their participation in the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship in Doha, it was announced earlier by FIDE.The event, which will take place from December 25 to 30, brings together a field featuring multiple world champions, most of the sport’s highest-rated competitors, and rising stars.A total of 233 players registered for the Blitz Open and 230 for the Rapid. After missing out on the crown in the Rapid and sharing gold in the Blitz in the previous edition in New York, Magnus Carlsen returns to the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz. He will try to unseat the 2024 World Rapid champion, Volodar Murzin, who has had strong tournament performances throughout the year.World Champion Gukesh D would also feature at the event. His participation is expected to draw a lot of interest from chess fans. In particular, his superb result in Zagreb earlier this year indicates he will be one of the favorites in Rapid.Many seasoned elite players such as 2024 World Blitz co-champion Ian Nepomniachtchi, Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri, Wesley So, and  Levon Aronian have also confirmed their participation.Challenging them will be a new generation of contenders seeking to disrupt established hierarchies: Vincent Keymer, Arjun Erigaisi, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Praggnanandhaa R, Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, and Ediz Gürel to name just a few.FIDE Women’s Rapid and Blitz will also see the best in the world taking part. Headlined by Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun, the competition will see 130 players, including heavyweights Zhu Jiner, Lei Tingjie, Aleksandra Goryachkina, Humpy Koneru and more. Anna Muzychuk, who won both the Women’s Rapid and Blitz in Doha in 2016, will also be there, together with her sister, Mariya.

Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) announced that the total number of passengers who used the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram networks during the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025, from Dec. 1 to 18, 2025 reached 4,924,919 passengers, with 4,712,758 passengers travelling by Metro and 212,161 passengers using the Tram, with a daily average of 273,606 passengers across the Metro and Tram networks.The metro and tram played a key role in facilitating the movement of fans and visitors to and from the stadiums of both tournaments, as well as various event zones and key destinations across the country. This was achieved through delivering world-class transportation services and ensuring a safe, reliable, and seamless travel experience throughout the period.The Arab Cup Qatar 2025 was hosted across six stadiums: Lusail Stadium, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Bayt Stadium, Education City Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, and Stadium 974. Five of these stadiums were located within a short walking distance of metro stations, while fans were able to access Al Bayt Stadium via dedicated shuttle bus services from Lusail QNB Metro Station.Meanwhile, the three final matches of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025, the Americas Derby, the Challenge Cup, and the Intercontinental Cup Final, were all held at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, which is directly connected to Al Riffa Mall of Qatar Station, on Dec. 10, 13, and 17, respectively.In terms of operational performance, a total of 48,422 train-trips were completed across the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram networks during the period from 1 to 18 December, comprising 41,843 metro trips and 6,579 tram trips.During the tournament, 34% of spectators used the metro to attend matches, while metro usage increased to 50% for the 5 stadiums directly connected to metro stations.On Dec. 18, which coincided with Qatar National Day celebrations, the Arab Cup Final and third-place playoff match, the highest daily ridership of the tournament was recorded, reaching 357,287 passengers, with 347,987 travelling by metro and 9,300 by tram.DECC, Lusail QNB and Msheireb stations were the busiest across the entire metro network. Within the Lusail Tram network, Legtaifiya Station was the busiest.Qatar Rail played a prominent role in supporting the successful hosting of the Arab Cup and the Intercontinental Cup, through the effective operation of its networks, which delivered a successful model for transporting fans and visitors throughout the tournament period. This was achieved through the dedicated efforts of its teams, advance planning, high operational readiness, as well as close coordination with all relevant stakeholders, with the aim of delivering a world-class travel experience.Throughout the Arab Cup period, Qatar Rail continued its efforts to strengthen the role and expertise of engineers and young national cadres across various sectors of the company, reinforcing their contribution to delivering a successful transport operations model through several operational locations. (QNA).   

The Qatar-Kuwait Trade Mission held in Kuwait has concluded with the value of potential deals exceeding QR281mn, reflecting the Kuwaiti market’s interest in Qatari products and their competitiveness across industrial and consumer sectors.This was announced by Qatar Exports, powered by Qatar Development Bank (QDB), citing the participation of 35 Qatari companies representing a wide range of industrial and commercial sectors.The mission attracted strong interest from Kuwaiti companies and served as a strategic platform to strengthen trade ties between the two countries and explore new co-operation opportunities in an active market with growing demand for Qatari products and services.The business-to-business (B2B) meetings between Qatari companies and Kuwaiti importers, distributors, and wholesalers delivered promising initial outcomes. More than 360 B2B meetings were held, and over 400 visitors attended across the two-day event.Qatari participation reflected strong sector diversity, including building and construction materials, spare parts and vehicle services, paints and construction chemicals, electrical cables, chemical products, food, plastics and packaging, as well as oil and gas and paper products. The diversity enabled Kuwaiti companies to explore a broad selection of high-quality, competitive Qatari products.The mission comes amid steady growth in economic relations between Qatar and Kuwait. In 2024, bilateral trade reached approximately QR11.16bn, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23% since 2019. Qatari exports to Kuwait also recorded significant growth, reaching QR8.2bn in 2024. This continued growth highlights strong opportunities to further expand cooperation in the future.Qatar Exports continues its efforts to help Qatari companies expand into regional markets. The mission marks another milestone in a series of successful trade missions aimed at opening priority markets for Qatar-based companies and supporting Qatari exporters through trade missions focused on networking and partnership building.The results achieved in Kuwait this year reaffirm Qatar Exports’ vital role in diversifying Qatar’s export base and strengthening the presence of national companies in GCC markets, in line with the Third National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030. 

Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) announced that the total number of passengers who used the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram networks during the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025, from December 1 to 18, 2025 reached 4,924,919 passengers, with 4,712,758 passengers travelling by Metro and 212,161 passengers using the Tram, with a daily average of 273,606 passengers across the Metro and Tram networks.The metro and tram played a key role in facilitating the movement of fans and visitors to and from the stadiums of both tournaments, as well as various event zones and key destinations across the country. This was achieved through delivering world-class transportation services and ensuring a safe, reliable, and seamless travel experience throughout the period.The Arab Cup Qatar 2025 was hosted across six stadiums: Lusail Stadium, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Bayt Stadium, Education City Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, and Stadium 974. Five of these stadiums were located within a short walking distance of metro stations, while fans were able to access Al Bayt Stadium via dedicated shuttle bus services from Lusail QNB Metro Station.Meanwhile, the three final matches of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025, the Americas Derby, the Challenge Cup, and the Intercontinental Cup Final, were all held at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, which is directly connected to Al Riffa Mall of Qatar Station, on Dec. 10, 13, and 17, respectively.In terms of operational performance, a total of 48,422 train-trips were completed across the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram networks during the period from 1 to 18 December, comprising 41,843 metro trips and 6,579 tram trips.During the tournament, 34% of spectators used the metro to attend matches, while metro usage increased to 50% for the 5 stadiums directly connected to metro stations.On December 18, which coincided with Qatar National Day celebrations, the Arab Cup Final and third-place playoff match, the highest daily ridership of the tournament was recorded, reaching 357,287 passengers, with 347,987 travelling by metro and 9,300 by tram.DECC, Lusail QNB and Msheireb stations were the busiest across the entire metro network. Within the Lusail Tram network, Legtaifiya Station was the busiest.Qatar Rail played a prominent role in supporting the successful hosting of the Arab Cup and the Intercontinental Cup, through the effective operation of its networks, which delivered a successful model for transporting fans and visitors throughout the tournament period. This was achieved through the dedicated efforts of its teams, advance planning, high operational readiness, as well as close coordination with all relevant stakeholders, with the aim of delivering a world-class travel experience.Throughout the Arab Cup period, Qatar Rail continued its efforts to strengthen the role and expertise of engineers and young national cadres across various sectors of the company, reinforcing their contribution to delivering a successful transport operations model through several operational locations.  

Ooredoo Qatar has delivered uninterrupted, high-capacity connectivity across a series of major international sporting championships and conferences hosted in the country throughout this year.The network delivered high-capacity connectivity across events that collectively welcomed more than 1.5mn spectators and delegates, handling over 300 terabytes of mobile data traffic and 6mn voice calls, while maintaining a 99.99% call setup success rate.Peak moments generated extreme surges in data and voice traffic, with 5G services accounting for more than 60% of total traffic and VoLTE usage exceeding 95%, delivering superior voice clarity and reliability.Ooredoo Qatar CEO Sheikh Ali bin Jabor bin Mohammad al-Thani said, “As Qatar continues to attract major international gatherings and position itself as a global destination, our role extends beyond providing connectivity.“We are building the intelligent, resilient digital infrastructure that enables the nation's long-term objectives. Every successful event reinforces Qatar’s global reputation and demonstrates what's possible when technology, planning, and execution align.” 

More than a million fans went through the turnstiles during the FIFA Arab Cup 2025, Jassim al-Jassim, CEO of the Local Organising Committee of the hugely popular tournament, has said.Just two days after Morocco beat Jordan 3-2 in extra time in front of 84,517 fans at the iconic Lusail Stadium, Qatar drew wholesome praise from regional leaders on 'organising a high level' tournament that was held from December 1 to 18."The tournament witnessed record breaking numbers in spectator attendance. More than 1.2mn fans attended the matches in the stadiums during the course of 32 scheduled games,” al-Jassim revealed."Qatar organising top level football events regularly reflects FIFA's confidence in Qatar as a reputable global sports host. We are proud to say we have become qualified to host global events thanks to the legacy of the 2022 FIFA World Cup," al-Jassim said in his interview with Al Kass Sports Channel.In his post-tournament comments, al-Jassim revealed Qatar has pulled off a rare feat of staging a staggering 176 matches in just 78 days.The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz al- Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, congratulated His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on ‘organising a highly successful FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025’.Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud also sent a cable of congratulations to the Amir, on the country's success in organising the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025.The Crown Prince said: "On the occasion of the State of Qatar's success in organising the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, I am pleased to express to Your Highness my sincerest congratulations and best wishes for further progress and success for your brotherly people and country."In a separate note Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of the Sultanate of Oman congratulated His Highness the Amir on the 'remarkable success achieved by the State of Qatar in organising the FIFA Arab Cup football tournament'. He added in his message: “I wish Qatar continued success in hosting major events and achieving all accomplishments and aspirations in all sectors."The congratulatory cables were also received from the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, and Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Hamad al-Sabah.FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted how the tournament showcased top-level football while uniting the Arab world, as he praised Qatar’s hosting and reflected on the conclusion of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, saying:“My sincere thanks to Qatar, to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and to the Qatari people for once again uniting the Arab world through football on Qatar National Day. This competition is here to stay and will continue to grow as one of FIFA’s great tournaments.”Thanks largely to world-class stadiums — that were built for the 2022 FIFA World Cup — Qatar put together flawless football tournaments within just seven weeks. Doha first hosted the FIFA U-17 World Cup from November 3 to 27 followed by the FIFA Arab Cup from Dec 1 to 18. In between, Qatar also hosted the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the GCC U-23 Football Tournament.

Qatar and the United States reaffirmed their deepening strategic partnership during the seventh Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue held in Washington on December 17, underscoring close co-operation on diplomacy, security, investment and global stability.Co-chaired by His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the talks highlighted Qatar’s mediation role in Gaza, expanding defence and economic ties, and a shared commitment to addressing regional and international challenges.The dialogue guided by the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and US President Donald Trump, sets the stage for further working-level engagements in early 2026 and the next strategic dialogue in Doha.The text of the following statement was released by the governments of Qatar and the United States:HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and Secretary of State Marco Rubio and convened the seventh Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue on December 17, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Senior Qatari and US officials also participated.The event attests to the enduring strategic partnership between the two countries under the leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and President of the US Donald Trump.The topics for the dialogue included strengthening co-operation to advance peace, security, and investment. Discussions and working groups will continue in early 2026, encompassing law enforcement, security co-operation, and deepening cultural ties between both countries.His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani lauded President Trump's leadership to end the war in Gaza and bring lasting peace to the Middle East.On behalf of President Trump, Secretary Rubio thanked His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the government of Qatar for their important role as a mediator to enable President Trump's Gaza Peace Plan and resolution of other conflicts.On wider Middle East security, the two ministers affirmed their support for efforts to stabilise Syria, counter terrorism in the country, and boost its economy.Global and regional co-operationSecretary of State Rubio affirmed the US-Qatari partnership as a model of peace through strength to meet regional and global challenges together.Qatari and US officials discussed shared strategic priorities, including Gaza, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Haiti.The United States and Qatar reaffirmed their partnership as a force for peace and stability, emphasising a shared commitment to confront regional and global threats through unity.HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani praised the leadership of President Trump in forging a new coalition of nations, of which Qatar is a part. Together, the United States and Qatar are partners in shaping a future grounded in peace, where extremism and terror have no place.Economic affairs and investmentsQatar and the United States highlighted their strong economic partnership, which continues to generate economic growth, support job creation, and foster collaboration in advanced technology and energy, particularly given the two countries' uniquely aligned interests to promote global energy abundance and stable energy markets.This builds upon the over $240bn in economic deals secured during President Trump's visit to Qatar in May.His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs affirmed that as Qatar charts a path to a diversified economy driven by technology, innovation, and knowledge, its deep investment partnership with the US has been central to their mutual success.The United States highlighted ongoing efforts to streamline regulatory processes and promote a welcoming investment climate, while Qatar reiterated its dedication to economic diversification and technology-driven innovation. Deals secured this year include: $96bn deal from Qatar Airways to acquire up to 210 American-made Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines. The Qatar contract will support over 154,000 US jobs annually, totaling over one million jobs in the years to come.$97bn offered by Qatar to US Company Parsons on projects advancing innovation. This deal will also support hundreds of thousands of well-paid jobs across the United States.$8.5bn contract from Qatar Energy with McDermott to advance critical energy infrastructure.$1bn will be invested in the Quantinuum Joint Venture Agreement with Al Rabban Capital, advancing state-of-the-art quantum technologies.Defence and security co-operationQatar and the United States reaffirmed their defence and security partnership as recognised in the September 29 Executive Order assuring the security of Qatar.Both sides continue to enhance regional deterrence, strengthen joint defence capabilities, and support economic growth through defense investment.The partnership includes significant military infrastructure upgrades at Al-Udeid Air Base (AUAB) in Qatar, advancing air and maritime security, and increasing Nato interoperability through joint training and operational initiatives. The United States reiterated its commitment to Qatar's security and territorial integrity, while Qatar underscored the value of continued co-operation in addressing shared security challenges.Qatari defence investment enhances regional deterrence and boosts US defense manufacturing to drive economic growth and well-paid US jobs.Both sides reaffirmed the statement of intent signed during President Trump's May trip outlining over $38bn in potential investments including support for burden-sharing at AUAB and future defense capabilities.They further discussed the establishment of the first bilateral combined command post for air defence, strengthening joint defence capabilities in the Gulf and beyond.The US Secretary of State welcomed Qatar's procurement of cutting-edge military equipment including innovative defense technologies as part of the $2bn deal with General Atomics of remotely piloted aircraft systems. The two sides also reviewed a further $1bn agreement with Raytheon for the purchase of counter-drone capabilities to protect Qatar.Counterterrorism and law enforcementThe two governments emphasised their long-standing partnership addressing terrorist threats and crime highlighting their close cooperation in counterterrorism and law enforcement.Both sides recognise Qatar's frontline role in global counterterrorism efforts and commitment to international standards in combating terrorist financing and anti-money laundering including.As the United States prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup, Qatar pledges full co-operation and support to the United States to ensure the tournament's success.Such co-operation includes the recent signing of two Memoranda of Understanding between the Ministry of Interior and Lekhwiya and the FBI to advance security co-operation mechanisms and coordinate training, information exchange, and capacity-building, in support of both countries' shared interests.The two sides also signed statements of intent on countering unmanned aerial systems and civil aviation security.Culture, sports, and educationThe two countries underscored the importance of deepening cultural and educational co-operation, noting the value of our decades-long academic and educational institutional partnership.The two governments highlighted the renewal of a memorandum of understanding between Qatar Museums and the Smithsonian Institution as a foundation for expanded collaboration.Both sides intend to share best practices in the arts through a Strategic Dialogue Working Group on Culture, Sports, and Education, including potential co-operation on the Art in Embassies programme and engagement during Art Basel.Enduring strategic partnershipQatar and the United States emphasised the importance of their enduring strategic partnership and continued co-operation across key issues. Both sides look forward to the next Strategic Dialogue in Doha in 2026. 

The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) announced the acceptance of the national payment card ‘Himyan’ in Kuwait. This, the QCB noted, is in line with the Third Financial Sector Strategy and as a continuation of the bank's efforts to develop digital payment systems and services, as well as to strengthen co-operation among the countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC).  The QCB said the holders of the Himyan card can now carry out purchase transactions and cash withdrawals through various points of sale and automated teller machines across the State of Kuwait, in accordance with the highest standards of security and protection.  It added that this expansion in the acceptance of services of the national Himyan card reflects the QCB's commitment to providing reliable and secure national Himyan card services within the local payment ecosystem, which is fully managed and operated by the QCB.  It also reaffirms its dedication to strengthening regional integration in the field of payment systems. Himyan card is considered the first national payment card with a Qatari commercial brand, owned by the Qatar Central Bank. It was launched as part of QCB's ongoing efforts to enhance and develop digital payment systems, support innovation and digital transformation in Qatar's financial sector, and provide secure and efficient local payment options.