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The Aspire Academy Global Summit 2025 officially commenced Wednesday at Subaru Park, home of Philadelphia Union, marking the first time the prestigious gathering has been held in the United States.Hosted in collaboration with Philadelphia Union and in partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS), among the first days' highlights was a Masterclass by former Liverpool and Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez and a Star Chat with ex-England boss Sir Gareth Southgate.More than 400 people attended the opening, including members of the Aspire Academy leadership team, international guests, and members of the Aspire in the World Fellows community. They were joined by coaches from MLS and local clubs, as well as student-athletes from the YSC academy, the educational partner of the Philadelphia Union MLS Club. The young players later participated in the practical clinics; a new segment added to the Global Summit program this year.The attendees were welcomed by Richie Graham, Founder of YSC Academy and Investor of the Philadelphia Union. He emphasised the importance of education and football. “Football’s future is very bright, and it’s inspiring to see everyone come together to contribute to the progress of the game. The commitment to education, development, and collaboration is what will shape the next generation of players and leaders in the game,” he said.Abdullah Nasser al-Nuaimi, Acting CEO of the Aspire Zone Foundation, welcomed the delegates and echoed the sentiments of Richie Graham: “At Aspire Academy, our purpose has always been to develop, not only exceptional athletes, but well-rounded individuals who understand the game, its values, and their role within it. Education is at the heart of everything we do, because lasting success in football depends as much on knowledge and character as it does on talent. The Aspire Global Summit embodies this vision; it’s a platform where learning, collaboration, and innovation come together to advance the game for future generations.” Abdullah concluded.Building on that message, Aspire Academy Director General Ivan Bravo spoke about the Aspire Academy Global Summit’s mission to foster open dialogue and cross-cultural learning within the global football community. "We are about sharing and about knowledge exchange. We love to visit new countries and understand the challenges that coaches face. What is the approach to player development? That exchange of ideas and understanding of coaches’ approach in different countries is what makes the Aspire in the World Fellows program so special.”“It's crucial to be able to become a successful coach and provide a clear pathway for players. The program is designed for coaches and technical staff to maximize their understanding, allowing them to continue learning, adapting, and sharing. We hope that by opening it up to all the US soccer coaches, we can expand our horizons even further,” Ivan concluded.The guest of honour for the evening’s Gala Dinner was MLS Commissioner, Don Garber, who talked to the former US international footballer John Harkes. He explained some of the challenges he faced launching professional football in the USA following the 1994 FIFA World Cup and what lies ahead for MLS.“Events like the Aspire Academy Global Summit play a vital role in the progress of football as a sport. They connect ideas, people, and purpose, reminding us that the game’s progress depends on collaboration as much as competition.”The Commissioner was presented with a gift from Aspire Academy to thank him for his contribution. The Summit also took the chance to recognize some of its key partners with presentations made to Jay Sugarman, the Owner of the Philadelphia Union, Richie Graham, Alfonso Mondelo, Senior Technical Director of Competitions at MLS and Essa al Sulaiti, TV Director at Alkass Sports Channel.Earlier in the day the program began with a Masterclass with Rafa Benitez, former manager of Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Chelsea, along with his long-time assistant coach Francisco ‘Paco’ de Miguel Moreno. Rafa Benitez highlighted three areas where the game has changed in recent years: an increased use of video analysis of player performance, more statistics available to coaches and improved GPS capability. For his part, Francisco ‘Paco’ de Miguel Moreno stressed the need for techniques used for senior players to be made suitable for the elite youth teams to ensure continuity.This was followed by the first Star Chat of the 2025 Summit with Sir Gareth Southgate, former England National Team Manager. He reflected on the challenges he faced during his coaching career and how he approached and overcame them. He added that events like the Global Summit play a crucial role in advancing football. “The most important thing for developing football is developing coaches. We are all constantly learning, regardless of how long we have been in the field. Bringing people together to share experiences and ideas helps us all grow, especially as we look ahead to the World Cup and the continued evolution of the sport. Having an amalgamation of clubs and federations together at initiatives like the Aspire Academy Global Summit, working and cheering for 11 years now, helps develop them further and gives them more confidence.”The day’s second Star Chat was with Columbus Crew coach Wilfried Nancy Star Chat, who spoke to former professional player Bradley Wright-Phillips, who played over 200 matches for MLS side New York Red Bulls. Frenchman Wilfried Nancy offered an insight into his football philosophy, spoke about innovation and authenticity in coaching: “Coaching is about clarity, resilience, and connection; helping players fail, learn, and grow within structure and freedom. You have to fail; everyone fails. Life is about failure, and we have to learn to bounce back from it. It’s normal to face adversity, and if you don’t, it’s because you’re not trying. Coaching is about empowering players to read the game, adapt, and find solutions, while as a coach staying clear, open-minded, and true to yourself.”Following his Star Chat, Wilfried Nancy and Bradley Carnell led an on-field practical clinic with the YSC Academy, offering young players a chance to see coaching philosophies come to life in practice for the first time ever, with top coaches and football leaders.A series of shared workshops also provided the clubs and participants with practical, hands-on learning experiences led by Aspire Academy’s technical experts and international partners. The sessions focused on applied performance science, data-driven coaching, and youth development frameworks, allowing attendees to translate theory into actionable strategies.Day One also featured two expert-led roundtables tackling the topics of “Fixed tactical philosophy versus contextual adjustments” and “From injury to peak performance.” The day’s roundtables featured representatives from world-renowned clubs and federations — including AFC Ajax, Tottenham Hotspur, Sporting Club de Portugal, and Philadelphia Union.The Global Summit will continue with three more Star Chats featuring former Italian World Cup Winner Alessandro Nesta, two-time FIFA Women's World Cup winner Carli Lloyd and Ron Jaworski, former professional American football quarterback and workshops focused on performance innovation and player development.

The Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) convened in Gabala, Azerbaijan, on Tuesday, ahead of the 12th Summit of the OTS Council of Heads of State. The meeting discussed ways to enhance political, economic and cultural cooperation among member states, as well as coordinating common positions in confronting current regional and international challenges, according to Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC). Addressing the opening ceremony, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized that, amid shaken confidence in international institutions, the dynamic cooperation within the OTS — built on brotherhood and mutual trust — is a solid foundation for hope for the future. "On the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev, the number of annual OTS Summit meetings has been increased to two, enabling flexible, in-depth, and comprehensive discussions on our cooperation potential," Bayramov underlined. "In the face of current global and regional security challenges, comprehensive political coordination and demonstration of solidarity are extremely vital," he added. Bayramov highlighted the geographical significance of OTS member states as natural transport, logistics, and transit lines bridging Europe and Asia, noting that the Zangezur corridor represents a vital step in diversifying regional connections. The Organization of Turkic States, initially known as the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (Turkic Council), was established in 2009. Its members are Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Turkmenistan and Hungary have observer status. The OTS aims to strengthen cooperation among member states in the fields of politics, economy, education, transportation, and culture, as well as to promote regional connectivity within the shared Turkic space.

Ooredoo Tunisia on Sunday hosted the first edition of the Ooredoo AI Summit, a landmark event that brought together top-level dignitaries, as well as startups, business leaders, leading policymakers, and key stakeholders from Tunisia’s AI ecosystem.These include the Minister of Communication Technologies, Sofiene Hemissi; Ooredoo Group CEO Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo; Ooredoo Group Regional CEO for North Africa & Asia Ahmad Abdulaziz al-Neama; the CEO of Ooredoo Tunisia, Mansoor Rashid al-Khater; and Ooredoo Group’s leadership team.Opening the summit, Hemissi emphasised that artificial intelligence represents not just a technological evolution, but a strategic opportunity for Tunisia to strengthen its digital sovereignty, empower youth, and accelerate inclusive and sustainable economic growth. He praised Ooredoo’s initiative as an important driver of collaboration between government institutions, local partners, and emerging talent.In his address, al-Khater said: “At Ooredoo, we believe artificial intelligence is a powerful enabler of inclusion, innovation, and progress. Our ambition is to place Tunisia at the centre of the global digital revolution by investing in AI-ready infrastructure, supporting startups and enterprises, and collaborating with world leaders such as NVIDIA to build a robust and future-ready ecosystem.”The Ooredoo AI Summit served as a premier platform for dialogue between industry leaders, policymakers, and technology experts. Discussions highlighted how AI can boost economic competitiveness, foster responsible governance, and drive sustainability and social inclusion. Participants also explored concrete use cases demonstrating the impact of AI in business, public services, and everyday life.A key announcement from the summit was Ooredoo’s collaboration with NVIDIA, enabling the acquisition of high-performance GPUs that will empower advanced AI solutions. The cutting-edge platform will be made available to government, startups, and B2B clients, giving them access to world-class sovereign AI-as-a-Service capabilities to accelerate innovation and bring new services to market.

Philippine officials, led by Health Undersecretary Dr Mary Ann Palermo-Maestral asserted the country’s commitment to integrating mental health into national policies and services during the 6th Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit in Doha, the embassy has said.The two-day summit, held from September 30-October 1, is a key international platform designed to foster collaboration, share best practices, and integrate mental health as a core component of overall health and human rights – a focus consistent with key UN instruments, including the UN Human Rights Council Resolution on Mental Health and Human Rights.During a panel discussion focusing on the implications of the UN High-Level Meeting of Non-Communicable Diseases, Dr Palermo-Maestral detailed the Philippines’ comprehensive national framework and the strategies being employed to address rising mental health needs.She highlighted the country’s concerted efforts in embedding mental health promotion within existing community-based primary health care processes. Key initiatives include securing sustainable financing for mental health programmes and advancing data research and innovation.She added that a whole of government approach is used to address the increasing incidence of depression and similar problems among vulnerable individuals, including minors. Several government agencies collaborate to operate health promotion bureaus, establish peer support groups, and maintain easily accessible crisis hotlines for children and youth.Philippine ambassador Mardomel Celo D Melicor stressed the necessity of facilitating access to mental health services for Filipinos residing abroad. He cited the particular vulnerability of Overseas Filipino Workers who “live and work overseas, far from their basic social support groups”.“In Qatar, we are continually engaging with local authorities and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the welfare of our kababayan, including their mental health, is given utmost priority,” he said.

The Sixth Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit concluded Wednesday in Doha, following two days of sessions held under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani.The summit witnessed high-level participation from ministers, representatives of states, and international and regional organisations concerned with mental health, in addition to experts and specialists from across the globe.The Ministerial Summit adopted a number of key priorities aimed at supporting governments in translating commitments into national action plans that deliver tangible improvements in mental health care for their populations.These priorities align with the summit’s main theme, ‘Transforming Mental Health through Investment, Innovation and Digital Solutions’.HE the Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim al-Mahmoud stated, “The deliberations of the Ministerial Summit affirmed the shared commitment to improving mental health at national, regional and global levels.“The outcomes of this Ministerial Summit and the key priorities it identified will help to strengthen investment in mental health, innovation and digital solutions, equity and inclusivity, as well as cooperation and knowledge exchange. This will contribute to addressing major global challenges in mental health and achieving sustainable improvements in mental health services for all.”The Ministerial Summit featured a rich programme of sessions and events, including two panel discussions and six workshops, in addition to several side activities. Officials, policymakers and specialists discussed pressing mental health issues to develop strategies at a global level. The summit hosted 64 speakers, both local and international.At the closing session of the Ministerial Summit, it was announced that the Republic of Rwanda will host the next Summit during the coming year.The Ministerial Summit aims to address mental health as an integral part of public health, social justice and human rights, in line with the UN Human Rights Council Resolution on Mental Health and Human Rights, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Old Doha Port strengthened its international presence as chief executive Mohammed Abdulla al-Mulla joined the closing roundtable of the Monaco Yacht Show Summit 2025 on Friday.The session, titled “How to Create a Sustainable Superyacht Destination?”, convened senior figures from leading yachting hubs to explore how destinations can future-proof their appeal while safeguarding marine ecosystems.Set against the backdrop of the world’s foremost gathering for the superyachting and luxury maritime industries, this year’s summit ran alongside the Monaco Yacht Show at Port Hercule on September 24-27.The programme placed innovation, design, and sustainability at the centre, spotlighting impactful eco-responsible solutions across the sector.As part of its broader presence in the flagship maritime event, Old Doha Port also sponsored the Upper Deck Lounge for the first time, and will continue sponsoring the show for the next two years, underscoring Qatar’s growing role in shaping the future of global yachting.“Taking part in the Monaco Yacht Show Summit affirms Old Doha Port’s role among the world’s leading yachting destinations and allows us to share Qatar’s vision for sustainable growth,” said al-Mulla.“In line with Qatar National Vision 2030, we are building a luxury maritime tourism sector that blends heritage, innovation, and environmental responsibility, supports SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), maritime, and cultural industries, and ensures Qatar has a voice in global conversations shaping the future of superyachting,” he added.

The second edition of the Innovation by Design Summit and expanded Msheireb Awards for Innovation in Design concluded successfully on Wednesday at Msheireb Downtown Doha, showcasing Qatar as a growing centre for world-class design. The events, presented by Msheireb Properties in collaboration with Fast Company Middle East and powered by Doha Design District with Media City Qatar as strategic partner, brought together over 400 design experts, creative professionals, and industry enthusiasts from around the world, to advance critical dialogue on the future of design. The comprehensive one-day programme served as an interactive forum for examining how design shapes business, technology, and culture. Sessions spanned artificial intelligence, sustainable architecture, immersive media, and cultural exchange, featuring discussions on "Building the Nervous System of the AI Age," "Designing for an Uncertain World," and "When Art Meets Algorithm." The summit attracted leading regional industry figures including Samar Maakaroun, Partner at Pentagram; Tarek Miknas, CEO of FP7McCann Middle East, North Africa & Turkey; Essam Akhonbay, Vice President of Marketing at Saudia Airlines; Melanie Fessel, Principal of TerreformX Europe; Homara Choudhary, CEO and Founder of Homara Media; Mohamed Kabbani, Director of Campaigns & Creative Studio, Ooredoo; and Rashid Al-Derham, Co-Founder & CEO of Madad Fintech. Notable presentations included "Spaces That Speak: Designer Spotlight" discussing the intersection of craft, culture, and environment, and "The New Language of Creativity: Insights from Cannes," examining how creativity evolves to meet contemporary challenges. Panel discussions delved into "Multidimensional Journeys: Designing for Real Human Experience" and "Connecting Worlds: Design as Cultural Exchange." CEO of Msheireb Properties Eng. Ali Al Kuwari said: "This Summit demonstrates how design thinking is fundamental to building progressive societies and creating meaningful solutions. It aligns perfectly with our vision to establish Doha as a global meeting point for forward-thinking ideas." CEO of Media City Qatar Eng. Jassim Mohamed Al-Khori, , added: "The Innovation by Design Summit 2025 was a remarkable gathering of creative and business leaders that underscored how design, technology, and sustainability can drive real progress. As a strategic partner, Media City Qatar is committed to supporting platforms that spark innovation, contribute to economic diversification, and strengthen Qatar's position as a hub for next-generation ideas." Publisher of Fast Company Middle East, Ravi Raman, said: "What we witnessed represents a paradigm shift. The discussions prove that tomorrow's most successful enterprises will be those guided by design principles. This is where that transformation begins." The evening's Msheireb Awards for Innovation in Design marked a notable evolution in the programme's scope, expanding beyond corporate recognition to celebrate individual visionaries shaping the contemporary design landscape. The Corporate Excellence Categories saw "R/GA" honoured in Technology-Driven Design for AI-powered platforms and immersive AR/VR experiences. "Landor" claimed Retail and Experiential recognition for the Imperia branding project, whilst "Masdar City" received the Sustainable Design award for renewable energy initiatives and zero-carbon neighbourhoods. "Joe Doucet" was acknowledged in Travel and Hospitality for innovative hotel concepts, and "Across Renovation" earned Architecture and Urban Planning recognition for revitalising historic buildings. Emerging Designer Categories celebrated regional innovation across three distinct areas. Yasamin Shaikhi from VCUarts Qatar won Product Design & Innovation for "Food Waste Renaissance: From the Table, For the Table," transforming food by-products into functional lighting that advances circular design principles. Sheikh Khalifa bin Abdullah Al-Thani received Art & Design Expression recognition for his multimedia exhibition "Intaj" and creative platform "Intajat," bridging heritage, art, and cultural storytelling whilst supporting local creative ecosystems. Bachir Mohammed was honoured in Design for Social Impact for "Echo of Lost Innocence", a large-scale installation of 15,000 concrete-bound teddy bears symbolising children lost in Gaza, using art to raise awareness and support humanitarian relief. The awards were presented by Eng. Al Kuwari and Eng. Al Khori, highlighting the partnership shaping Qatar as a regional design destination where global expertise meets local creativity.

His Excellency Director of the Government Communications Office (GCO) and Chairman of the Permanent Web Summit Organising Committee, Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al-Thani convened a meeting with Liaison Director of German BVMW GCC Office Nizar Maarouf, and Managing Director Christian Schwippert, to discuss coordination and the roadmap for the second edition of the German Startup Pavilion at Web Summit Qatar 2026, taking place from 1st to 4th of February 2026.During the meeting, HE Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al-Thani reaffirmed his and his team's full support for the upcoming edition, ensuring strong collaboration and facilitation to make it an even greater success."Our work with the German startup community exemplifies our broader strategy to foster meaningful international collaboration in the technology and innovation spaces.""I personally look forward to seeing how the next wave of German startups tap into the opportunities that we continue to expand year over year," His Excellency added.Nizar Maarouf added: "We look forward to the active participation of the German Startup Pavilion at Web Summit Qatar 2026, following the great success of our first presence at the last edition of the event, which saw the participation of more than 100 German companies. We want to extend our sincere thanks to Sheikh Jassim and his team for their continuous support of our work and the hospitality shown to the German startup participants at Web Summit 2025."The meeting highlighted the shared commitment to further strengthen Qatari-German cooperation in innovation and entrepreneurship, and expanding opportunities for partnership and investment in a way that positions Qatar as a global hub for technology and innovation.

Malaysia is intensifying efforts to expand halal trade with economies in the Middle East, positioning its halal industry as a global economic model that emphasises trust, quality, and shared cultural values, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Abdul Aziz has said.The minister made the statement during the recent launch of the Global Halal Summit (GHAS) 2025, where Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim spoke on the importance of the Southeast Asian nation’s role in promoting the halal industry through events like the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2025, which concluded Saturday in Kuala Lumpur.Speaking at the launch event, held in conjunction with MIHAS 2025, Aziz stated: “...by catalysing Asean’s FTA negotiations with Australia, China, India, the GCC, and many others, Malaysia is effectively starting to build interoperable halal value chains across Asean, the Middle East, and even Africa. “Underscoring Malaysia’s leadership in forging a South-South trade ecosystem, Aziz said the ministry has pushed for the internationalisation of MIHAS, which made its debut in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) via ‘[email protected] pointed out that MIHAS@Dubai helped in providing access for Malaysian businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMES) to markets across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.Aziz announced that the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) will be organising the next international edition of MIHAS in Shanghai, China, under the MIHAS@Shanghai initiative this coming November.“MIHAS@Shanghai will bridge gaps, open access to multi-billion-ringgit markets, as well as enhance multilateral trade and investment. It will also elevate Malaysia and Asean’s position as the preferred halal trading partner and production hub in the Asian region,” he explained.Aziz also said: “By expanding halal trade, Malaysia is not only capturing value from a fast-growing global sector, but also hedging against volatility in traditional commodities, while reinforcing our role as a bridge between the Muslim world and global markets.“...at a time when geoeconomic competition is driving nations to secure resilient and diversified supply chains, halal offers Malaysia a strong edge that can anchor our SMEs and exporters in new growth markets across Asean, the Middle East and Africa.”In a keynote speech at the launch of GHAS 2025, the prime minister announced that Malaysia is leveraging its leadership in the halal economy as a strategic tool of economic diplomacy, underscoring the country’s 11-year reign atop the Global Islamic Economy Indicator (GIEI).“Malaysia’s excellence is particularly evident in Islamic finance, halal food, as well as media and recreation. This is a result of the government’s concerted effort to position the halal industry as one of the central pillars of the nation’s strategic growth,” Ibrahim said, citing the Halal Industry Master Plan (HIMP) 2030 and the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 as clear pathways “to position Malaysia as the world’s leading halal hub.”He added: “Under the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan (13MP), significant funds are allocated to further boost the growth of the halal sector. In return, the sector is projected to contribute RM231bn or 10.8% to the national GDP by 2030, driven by strong demand in food, finance and tourism. By way of comparison, the global halal market is valued at over RM16.02tn and is expected to reach RM22.88tn by 2030.

The State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Public Health, is set to host the Sixth Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit, which will take place in Doha on 30 September and 1 October 2025, under the theme "Transforming Mental Health through Investment, Innovation and Digital Solutions".The summit will witness broad participation from health ministers, experts, and specialists worldwide, alongside international organisations concerned with mental health.The ministerial summit will feature a rich programme of sessions and events, including two panel discussions, six workshops and several accompanying activities. During these events, officials, policymakers, and specialists will discuss pressing mental health issues and formulate strategies to address them globally. The summit will host a total of 64 local and international speakers.The summit addresses mental health as an integral part of public health, social justice, and human rights, in line with the United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on mental health and human rights, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.Chair of the Organising Committee for the Sixth Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit, Dr. Salih Ali Al Marri emphasized the vital importance of the summit in advancing mental health at the global level, particularly by focusing on investment, innovation, and digital solutions.Dr. Al Marri stated: "The Sixth Ministerial Summit builds upon the achievements of previous summits and features a comprehensive agenda and global partnerships to ensure the challenges facing mental health worldwide are addressed"."It draws from outstanding experiences to ensure that all people, everywhere without exception, have easy access to effective and sustainable mental health services," he stressed.Qatar's hosting of the summit also supports national efforts to implement the State's Third National Development Strategy and to strengthen public health.Director of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health at the World Health Organization (WHO), Devora Kestel, commented: "WHO greatly looks forward to the Sixth Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit being hosted this year by the Government of Qatar, and to joining the conversation on a range of critical topics for mental health, including service delivery innovation, digitisation, telehealth, and web-based technologies"."In a rapidly evolving world, it is vital to learn about and practice new approaches and ways of working that can better meet the needs of those we serve," she added.Chief Executive of United for Global Mental Health, Sarah Kline, highlighted that the summit's timing, coming just days after the UN High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, makes it an exceptional opportunity to confirm the practical steps nations will take to improve mental health for all.Kline added: "As Secretariat of the Global Mental Health Action Network, we are pleased to be working closely with so many stakeholders in preparing conversations on tackling stigma, reducing suicide rates, addressing the needs of young people, and strengthening mental health organisations to deliver services and support."The summit seeks to facilitate the exchange of best practices and success stories across regions and contexts, and to discuss actionable strategies to improve the implementation of community-based mental health models, particularly through digital solutions.The event will also develop a global resolution on mental health and promote investment in mental health research and innovation.The Sixth Ministerial Summit aims to build upon the achievements of previous summits held in London, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome and Buenos Aires. Past summits have consistently called for integrating mental health into public policy and highlighted the global commitment to mental health. This aligns with other global initiatives, including the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the High-Level Commission on Noncommunicable Diseases, and the WHO Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030.Qatar's summit hosting affirms its steadfast commitment to promoting mental health as a core component of sustainable human development and to leveraging innovation and modern technologies to ensure mental health services are accessible to all.

The third edition of the Web Summit Qatar, scheduled for February 1, is witnessing a strong demand for participation, more than four months before its launch, with expectations of attracting approximately 30,000 participants from more than 120 countries. This came during the meeting of the Web Summit Permanent Organising Committee today in Qatar, chaired by HE Director of the Government Communications Office (GCO) Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al-Thani. The Committee received reports on significant demand for exhibition space, tickets, masterclasses and speaking opportunities, more than four months ahead of the event. This strong interest and engagement reflect confidence in Qatar's position as a leading destination for entrepreneurs, investors and startups to convene. The 2026 edition is set to welcome 30,000 attendees from over 120 countries, including more than 1,500 startups, 700 investors, 350 speakers, and 600 media representatives, making it the largest and most diverse Web Summit Qatar to date. More than 80 partnership agreements have been signed with leading international institutions in the fields of technology, media, and investment. HE GCO Director, Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al-Thani said, "Web Summit Qatar 2026 will bring together leading figures from technology, digital economy and entrepreneurship, demonstrating Qatar's ability to convene world-class events. Next year's Web Summit provides an ideal platform to strengthen our innovation and entrepreneurship landscape, expand our global presence, support Qatar National Vision 2030 goals in building a diversified, knowledge-based economy founded on innovation, and establish the country as a major regional and international business hub."

Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, praised the outcomes of the extraordinary session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Supreme Council and the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit, held in Doha Monday, which expressed support for the State of Qatar in confronting the Israeli aggression and reaffirmed the categorical rejection of any violation of international law and international norms. Chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting, the Crown Prince reiterated the Kingdom's strongest condemnation of the attacks by the Israeli occupation authorities in the region, and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's full solidarity with Qatar and its support for all measures to safeguard its security and preserve its sovereignty.