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The Civil Services and Government Development Bureau, represented by the Institute of Public Administration, has launched the National Training and Career Development Plan for 2026, as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the human development system and enhance the efficiency of human capital in the government sector.On this occasion, Director of the Institute of Public Administration Maha Al Marri affirmed that the National Training and Career Development Plan for 2026 embodies a strategic approach to building human capital within the government, in line with the Third National Development Strategy, through an integrated competency-based training system aimed at achieving tangible impact at the level of institutional performance. She added that the Institute of Public Administration is working to create a supportive environment for the effective implementation of the plan, in partnership with government entities, thereby enhancing institutional excellence in the State of Qatar.The new national plan comes in response to a fundamental shift in the state's vision for training and career development. It is based on the recent amendments to certain provisions of the Executive Regulation of Civil Human Resources, and reflects a transition from training linked to job grade to training linked to competencies and their levels. This shift contributes to enhancing the effectiveness of training programs and directly linking them to performance evaluation outcomes and individual development plans.The plan is built on a competency-based professional development methodology, through flexible training programs that include in-person training and asynchronous e-learning. It also allows employees to choose programs aligned with their career paths across three main tracks: leadership, specialized, and technical and clerical roles. These tracks cover behavioral, leadership, and technical competencies across four levels-beginner, intermediate, advanced, and expert-within an integrated career development framework that combines training, performance evaluation, and career planning.

His Excellency the Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi led Qatar’s delegation at the 115th Ministerial Council meeting of the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) held in Kuwait. The meeting addressed a number of issues related to the OAPEC’s work in addition to the 2026 draft budget and the ongoing project to develop its work, reorganise its activities, and launch a new identity. OAPEC was established in 1968 and is headquartered in Kuwait. 

His Excellency the Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari revealed Wednesday key features of the State of Qatar's General Budget for the year 2026, including sectoral expenditure distribution, government contracting plans, and the financing of the Third National Development Strategy.During the press conference, held on the occasion of the announcement of the 2026 State Budget on Tuesday, he presented a comprehensive overview of the expected economic indicators for the current year 2025, along with several initiatives by the Ministry of Finance to empower and engage the Qatari private sector.HE the Minister of Finance affirmed that the new budget represents a continuation of the balanced fiscal approach adopted by the State, aiming to achieve financial sustainability, enhance economic growth, improve public spending efficiency, and provide an investment-friendly environment, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.HE al-Kuwari stated that the total expenditure for the 2026 budget amounts to QR220.8bn, distributed as follows: QR69.5bn allocated for salaries and wages, QR81.5bn for current expenditures, QR7bn for minor capital expenditures, and QR62.8bn for major capital expenditures.In his review of the main sector allocations in the new budget, he noted that the education sector is allocated QR21.8bn, while the health sector receives QR25.4bn, up from QR22bn in 2025. This reflects the state's continued commitment to developing human capital and improving the quality of public services.He explained that the municipality and environment sector is allocated QR22.2bn, the sports sector QR7.6bn, commercial affairs QR4.1bn, transportation QR4.1bn, communications QR3.8bn, and social services QR2.8bn, reflecting a balanced distribution of spending across vital sectors.HE the Minister of Finance pointed out that the total expected revenues for the 2026 fiscal year amount to QR199bn (QR155bn from oil and gas revenues, and QR44bn from non-oil revenues), compared to total revenues of QR197bn in 2025 (QR154bn from oil revenues and QR43bn from non-oil revenues).This reflects an improvement in oil revenues and continued growth in non-oil revenues, attributed to the state's continued conservative approach in estimating oil and gas revenues, based on an average oil price of $55 per barrel, to enhance financial flexibility and ensure spending stability.Regarding the government contracting plan for 2026, His Excellency highlighted key sectors, noting that the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) plans to issue tenders worth QR49bn, the Ministry of Public Health QR2.6bn, the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corp (Kahramaa) QR7.2bn, and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education QR2.3bn.He explained that the total number of tenders offered to the private sector amounts to approximately 4,464 tenders with an estimated value exceeding QR70bn, as part of the 2026 Government Procurement Plan Forum, reflecting the state's direction toward enhancing public-private partnerships.In this context, His Excellency referred to several initiatives by the Ministry of Finance to empower and engage the private sector, including a review of the state's infrastructure projects for the next five years to assess their feasibility for private sector implementation, and transferring suitable projects to the relevant committee at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.Work is also underway to issue a mandatory list of national products that government entities must purchase, giving priority to national products in government procurement.The first phase is expected to include more than 1,000 national products. At the same time, the ministry aims for an annual growth rate of no less than 10% in the value of local content in government procurement, with the actual annual growth rate exceeding the target, resulting in a national economic impact of QR9bn during 2025.While reviewing the initiatives and projects of the Third National Development Strategy for the period 2024-2030, His Excellency revealed an allocation of approximately QR32.7bn for its implementation.He explained that the strategy is based on seven national strategic outcomes, including sustainable economic growth (QR10.8bn), outstanding government institutions (QR3.1bn), environmental sustainability (QR0.9bn), financial sustainability (QR1.3bn), a future-ready workforce (QR0.9bn), a cohesive society (QR0.6bn), and high quality of life (QR4bn).HE al-Kuwari confirmed that Qatar's credit rating is among the best in the region and the world, reflecting confidence in the Qatari economy.He noted that fiscal discipline is one of the main pillars of the country's high credit rating, in addition to the continued enhancement of human resource efficiency, strengthening of financial reserves, expenditure control, and sound strategic planning to deal with crises.In his remarks on key economic indicators for the current year, HE the Minister of Finance stated that the GDP growth rate is expected to reach 2.9% according to IMF estimates, with non-hydrocarbon GDP growing by 4.4% and hydrocarbon GDP by 0.1%.He explained that the annual inflation rate for the year through last October is expected to be 0.7%, one of the lowest rates in the region, with expectations that inflation will remain low in the medium term.He also noted that Qatar received 4.4mn tourists by the end of November. 

With just over six months before their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener, Qatar find themselves back at the drawing board. Julen Lopetegui’s side crashed out of the Arab Cup group stage on Sunday after a 0-3 drubbing by ten-man Tunisia at Al Bayt Stadium, completing a winless campaign that also included a shock loss to Palestine and a draw against Syria. The early exit – Qatar finished bottom of Group A with just one point, scoring only once and conceding five – has stalled momentum at a critical stage of the Asian champions’ preparation cycle for next year’s global showpiece, which will be co-hosted by US, Canada and Mexico. The performances were a sharp contrast to the optimism generated two months ago when Qatar secured historic World Cup qualification – their first achieved on merit, having made their debut as hosts in 2022. Instead, the Arab Cup produced one of Al Annabi’s weakest showings in recent regional competitions, raising questions about tactical identity, squad balance and Lopetegui’s decision-making. **media[391519]** Qatar were below par against teams ranked well beneath them. While Al Annabi sit 51st in the world – buoyed by their back-to-back Asian Cup triumphs – they fell 0-1 to a spirited Palestine side ranked 96th, struggling to create chances and showing little midfield control. A 1-1 draw with 87th-ranked Syria did little to ease pressure, and World Cup-bound Tunisia – who were also eliminated – exposed Qatar’s lack of structure and confidence in a dominant 3–0 win. The shortcomings were systemic: defensive lapses, limited attacking ideas and a clear disconnect between the lines. Qatar’s long-standing reliance on Akram Afif, who continues to shoulder creative and scoring responsibility in the absence of the injured Almoez Ali, again left the team predictable. When Afif is contained, the attack often fades, a problem repeatedly highlighted throughout the tournament. If Lopetegui intended to experiment, he might have been better served resting Afif entirely and using the opportunity to blood emerging options such as 24-year-old Al Sailiya winger Khaled Ali. Lopetegui made five further changes for the Tunisia match in another major reshuffle, but the adjustments brought little improvement. Even after Tunisia were reduced to ten men, Qatar conceded a late third, which left the home fans in frustration. Lopetegui under pressureThe Spanish coach cut an increasingly agitated figure on the touchline and in press conferences, particularly after the draw against Syria left Qatar on the brink of elimination. His irritation contrasted sharply with Saudi Arabia’s Herve Renard, who briefly left Qatar to attend the World Cup draw in Washington before returning to guide his side to the quarter-finals. “We did not perform at the required level,” Lopetegui admitted after the Tunisia defeat. “We made many mistakes, both individually and collectively. We were hoping to qualify, especially with the great fan support, but the performance was not enough.” Still, the coach pointed to Qatar’s historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup as evidence of progress. “From the moment I arrived, we achieved something incredible – something that had never happened in the country’s history. We were very proud and very happy,” he said. Lopetegui also defended his decision to introduce several new players due to injuries and long-term planning. “We added many new players to the squad for different reasons – injuries, choices, and to open opportunities for young players. This is important for the future of the national team. But at the same time, we must continue competing well,” he said. But the Arab Cup exposed the risks of those choices. Key veterans – including Boualem Khoukhi, Karim Boudiaf and Pedro Miguel – were left out, while midfield anchor Assim Madibo was ruled out through injury. Without their experience, Qatar looked disjointed. World Cup opponents already targeting Qatar The World Cup draw adds further urgency to Qatar’s situation. Al Annabi will face co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and potentially Italy – the four-time world champions – who must navigate a playoff path involving Northern Ireland, Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina. With a squad comprised entirely of players from Qatari clubs, Qatar remain something of an unknown quantity for many. Following the draw, Canada’s coach Jesse Marsch described Qatar as “a challenging but winnable opponent,” emphasising the need for detailed analysis. “We’ll spend a heavy amount of preparation on Switzerland and Qatar,” he said. Marsch even took advantage of a rare chance to scout a World Cup opponent live, attending Qatar’s defeat to Tunisia at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday. “You don’t get too many chances to watch your opponents live before a World Cup,” he said before travelling. “I am flying to Qatar to watch them against Tunisia ... so I’ll be sitting in coach on the flight, and if anyone wants to join me, I’ll be there to watch Qatar.” Switzerland coach Murat Yakin called the group “attractive and manageable” but admitted Qatar are difficult to assess due to their fluctuating performances and Lopetegui’s evolving squad. For Qatar, the Arab Cup was meant to be a timely gauge of readiness before facing higher-ranked opposition on the global stage. Instead, it revealed deep concerns: a lack of identity, cohesion and leadership, all that requires rapid correction. Lopetegui has stressed the need for a thorough internal review. “This Arab Cup revealed aspects that must be corrected,” he said. In 2022, Qatar lost all three matches at their home World Cup, exiting in ignominy. Lopetegui and his squad must ensure they do not repeat the same fate six months from now in North America. 

Qatar’s match schedule for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has been officially confirmed by FIFA, 24 hours after the 12 groups were revealed at the draw ceremony in Washington.Placed in Group B, Qatar will open their campaign on June 13 at 3pm (June 14 at 1am in Qatar) against Switzerland at the 68,500-seater Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The Maroons then face co-hosts Canada in Vancouver on June 18 at 6pm (June 19 at 5am in Qatar). Julen Lopetegui’s side will conclude their group stage at Lumen Field in Seattle on June 24 at 3pm (June 25 at 2am in Qatar), taking on the winner of European Play-Off A, which features Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina. The biggest-ever edition of the global showpiece will feature 104 matches involving 48 teams across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

According to the procedures officially announced by FIFA, the draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals will begin by placing the 12 teams from each of the four pots into separate containers.The three host nations will be placed in Pot 1, while the four pots for the teams that qualified through the European play-offs and the two pots for the teams that qualified through the intercontinental play-offs will be placed in Pot 4, ensuring a balanced distribution of teams during the draw.The draw ceremony is scheduled to begin with all the teams from Pot 1 being drawn to groups A to L. The remaining teams will then be drawn from Pots B through D.FIFA has imposed specific restrictions on the World Cup 2026 draw process. The three host nations will first be designated with different colored balls to ensure a predetermined selection process: the green ball will represent Mexico, placing them at the top of Group A; the red ball will represent Canada, placing them at the top of Group B; and the blue ball will represent the United States, placing them at the top of Group C.As for the remaining nine teams in the pot 1, they will be allocated balls of the same color, and each team will be placed at the top of the group that will be determined by the draw, thus ensuring an organized and balanced distribution.In this context, FIFA was keen to avoid the two highest-ranked teams (Spain, ranked first, and Argentina, ranked second) facing each other before the final (in the event that they topped their groups in the first round), by placing them in two separate paths leading to the semi-finals, in order to maintain a balance in the distribution of teams. The same will apply to both (France, ranked third) and (England, ranked fourth), where the two paths will be chosen randomly, in an effort to avoid the best-ranked teams facing each other early on.As for Pots 2, 3, and 4, each team's position within its group will be determined according to the draw procedure. This ensures that each team's position within its group is determined based on the pot from which it was drawn and the group it was placed in.FIFA will apply the principle of no more than one team from the same confederation being in the same group. This applies to all confederations except UEFA, which has 16 teams participating in the tournament. Since this number of teams cannot be distributed across the 12 groups, no more than two European teams can be in any one group.The implementation of the principle of separation means that no more than one team from the same continental federation should be in one group, by applying the continental federations’ restriction to the three teams that will compete within each of the two paths related to the two seats allocated for the global play-off in Pot 4.FIFA had set Dec. 6 as the date for announcing the details of the group stage matches, in order to achieve the best possible conditions for all teams, and to enable fans in different countries around the world to follow their favorite teams across different time zones, according to the rule followed in determining the stadiums of the matches and the timing of their start. (QNA)

Ooredoo has announced WHOOP as the Official Wearable Partner for the 2026 and 2027 Doha Marathon by Ooredoo.The agreement was signed by Sabah Rabiah al-Kuwari, vice-chairman of the Doha Marathon Organising Committee, and Stephan Muller, director of WHOOP – GCC.The two-year collaboration brings together Ooredoo’s commitment to community health, fitness, and sports innovation through world-class technology. As the Official Wearable Partner, WHOOP will play a central role in enhancing athlete performance, training insights, and overall race experience for participants of the Doha Marathon by Ooredoo.Al-Kuwari said, “This partnership represents a significant step forward in how we support our running community. WHOOP has advanced performance insights, from recovery to sleep data to real-time strain and live tracking, and will provide participants, from first-time runners to elite athletes, with a deeper understanding of their bodies throughout the marathon journey.”Muller said, “WHOOP empowers members of all levels to better understand their bodies and unlock deeper insights into recovery, sleep, and strain.” 

Class of 2024 Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) graduate Fatima Yunusa has won the 2026 Rhodes Scholarship — the world’s oldest and most competitive international scholarship.A Nigerian public policy researcher, Yunusa is one of three recipients of the 2026 Rhodes Scholarship in West Africa. She is also among more than 30 other Georgetown students and alumni who have received the scholarship, and the third graduate of Georgetown’s Qatar campus to receive the award in the past five years, joining the likes of Khansa Maria (SFS’21), and Asma Shakeel (SFS’24).The scholarship selects promising young people from around the world who demonstrate integrity, leadership, character, intellect and a commitment to service to study at the University of Oxford.“Fatima’s commitment to uplifting others combined with her focus on public policy and public service exemplifies Georgetown’s highest ideals, and we look forward to seeing what she will accomplish,” said Georgetown Interim president Robert M Groves.As a Rhodes Scholar, Yunusa wants to build on her skills through public policy and public policy research graduate programmes in order to advance her home country’s national development.“I’m concerned about poverty eradication, poverty, and how it prevents people from living a life of dignity. My interest in development comes from recognising that high-quality jobs and opportunities are the most sustainable way for poverty alleviation,” said Yunusa, adding: “It’s a huge opportunity. I’m excited to learn from people who know public service from around the world.”Yunusa grew up moving across different parts of Nigeria. Along the way, she noticed how highly skilled individuals often lacked meaningful employment opportunities. She also saw people she loved struggle with these challenges in professions that hardly made ends meet. Her experiences made her question what she could do to empower communities to maximise their skills and talents.“While talent development initiatives exist in the country, they are not sustainable enough to yield the scale of transformation necessary to secure the country’s future. Existing initiatives are fragmented across sectors, often outdated, or tied to political administrations rather than lasting institutional mandates,” she said. “Nigeria must align its talent, market needs, and position within the international economy to advance.” 

FIFA has confirmed that the FIFA Series 2026 will take place during the international match window in March and April next year, offering national teams from different continents a unique platform to compete and connect beyond their traditional confederation boundaries.Building on the success of the pilot edition held in March 2024, the FIFA Series 2026 marks the first full-scale implementation of this initiative, featuring more Participating Member Associations (PMAs), more hosts and, for the first time, a dedicated women's iteration. The expanded format is designed to facilitate more meaningful international matches and contribute directly to global football development.The FIFA Series is aligned with FIFA's Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023-2027, which focus on creating more opportunities for competitive balance, technical growth and cross-continental exchange.The format provides a pathway for national teams that rarely face opponents from other continents."The FIFA Series is about unlocking development potential for players, coaches and fans, while promoting football's universality and diversity through meaningful matches. The 2026 edition will further enhance that impact for men's and women's football alike," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino."By connecting nations through competition, the FIFA Series aims to strengthen the game at every level, bringing local communities to the global stage," he added.While interest in participating is growing across the globe, FIFA can already announce the broad structure of the competition and the growing number of confirmed hosts.The men's FIFA Series will feature a series of meaningful matches be hosted in Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Puerto Rico, Rwanda and Uzbekistan.Discussions are also advancing with other FIFA Member Associations (MAs), which may join as additional host nations in the coming months. The women's FIFA Series will debut with events in Brazil, Cote d'Ivoire and Thailand.The full line-up will be announced in early 2026. Each group in the series will bring together national teams from different confederations in a friendly-match format, designed to create valuable footballing interaction without adding fixtures to the international match calendar.By providing PMAs with the chance to play against teams from other regions, the FIFA Series offers benefits that go beyond the pitch: Technical growth through exposure to new playing styles and tactical identities, Commercial opportunities thanks to increased visibility for emerging football nations and untapped markets in new event locations, and Cultural exchange by fostering global connections through the shared language of football.  

The Organising Committee of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2026) has announced Fincantieri, one of the world's leading shipbuilding groups, as the Diamond Sponsor for the ninth edition of the show, which will be held under the esteemed patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and hosted and organised by the Qatar Armed Forces. The four-day event is scheduled to take place from Jan. 19 to 22, 2026 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). DIMDEX is positioned as a premier platform for expertise and commercial exchange among leading defence companies, international investors, and key decision-makers. It offers participants exclusive access to the latest technological advancements, next-generation defence systems, and state-of-the-art maritime equipment, enabling them to assess innovations that are shaping the future of global security and defence. Beyond serving as a gateway to advanced solutions in the maritime defence sector, the event will not only highlight Qatar's pivotal role in advancing global defence cooperation, but also create an environment that stimulates investment, innovation, and long-term partnerships across the sector. In addition, DIMDEX 2026 is recognised as a comprehensive forum that fosters high-level discussions and strategic dialogue on critical security challenges arising in an increasingly complex global landscape. The signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Defence in the presence of HE Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces Lt. Gen. (Pilot) Jassim bin Mohammed Al Mannai, and high representatives from the two parties including Qatar Country Manager at Fincantieri Aldo Zizzo. The agreement was signed by Chairman of the DIMDEX Organising Committee Staff Brigadier (Sea) Abdulbaqi Saleh Al Ansari, and SVP Director Sales Naval Vessel at Fincantieri Mauro Manzini. HE Lt Gen (Pilot) Jassim bin Mohammed Al Mannai, Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces said: "In an era defined by rapid change and technological advancement, Qatar remains steadfast in its commitment to shaping the defence and security landscape of tomorrow with foresight and determination. The challenges of the future call for relentless innovation and adaptability, and through sustained investment in advanced technologies, the exchange of knowledge, and strategic cooperation with our international partners, we aim to strengthen collective capabilities and enhance global stability. Our vision is to help build a safer, more resilient world defined by economic growth, progress and peace." Staff Brigadier (Sea) Abdulbaqi Saleh Al Ansari, Chairman of the DIMDEX Organising Committee, said: "We are thrilled to once again welcome Fincantieri as our Diamond Sponsor for DIMDEX 2026, a partnership that truly elevates the exhibition's stature." "Their consistent support and participation are a testament to the exhibition's growing significance as a premier platform for maritime defence and security, embodying a shared vision for advancing global maritime capabilities. Fincantieri's global leadership in naval shipbuilding brings invaluable expertise and innovation to DIMDEX, further enriching the experience for all attendees and contributing significantly to the dialogue on future naval advancements," he added. CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri Pierroberto Folgiero stated: "We are honoured to renew our participation in DIMDEX as a Diamond Sponsor, reaffirming our commitment to supporting one of the most prestigious events in the global defence and security landscape." "In a time marked by evolving geopolitical dynamics and emerging challenges, DIMDEX stands out as a vital platform for fostering dialogue, building strategic partnerships, and promoting innovation across the maritime domain and beyond. Fincantieri's longstanding collaboration with the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces remains one of our most significant international engagements, rooted in shared objectives and mutual trust," Folgiero said. "The naval construction programme and the local after-sales infrastructure we have developed in Qatar are tangible expressions of this partnership, reflecting a common vision for technological excellence and operational capability. By actively contributing to DIMDEX 2026, we continue to play a key role in shaping a resilient and forward-looking defence ecosystem, while strengthening our ties with the State of Qatar and the broader international community," he added. Fincantieri has delivered a total of seven state-of-the-art naval vessels to the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces, supported by comprehensive In-Service Support, Integrated Logistic Support, and Industrial and operative training programmes for the crew. This enduring partnership reflects Fincantieri's commitment to long-term collaboration and operational excellence and stands as a cornerstone of its strategic presence in the region. With over 230 years of history and more than 7,000 ships built, Fincantieri is a leader in the construction of cruise ships, naval and offshore vessels, and stands out for its extensive experience in the development of underwater solutions, thanks to its integrated industrial structure capable of managing and coordinating all activities related to the commercial, defence, and dual-use sectors. From the very beginning, DIMDEX has played a pivotal role in shaping the global maritime defence and security landscape. The show continues its mission to provide a premier platform for showcasing cutting-edge technologies and fostering strategic dialogues essential for bolstering security and defence at both national and international levels.

The draw for the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup took place Wednesday in Jakarta, Indonesia. The draw ceremony saw 16 teams divided into four groups, each containing four teams, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the quarterfinals.Host nation Indonesia was drawn into Group A alongside Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, and South Korea.Group B: Thailand, Vietnam, Kuwait, and Lebanon.Group C: Uzbekistan, four-time champions Japan, Tajikistan and Australia.Group D: Iran, the record holder with 13 titles, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.

The Organising Committee of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (Dimdex 2026) has announced that EDGE, one of the world’s leading advanced technology groups, will be the Main Sponsor of the ninth edition of the event, set to take place from 19 to 22 January 2026 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).Held over four days, Dimdex 2026 takes place under the esteemed patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and is hosted and organised by the Qatar Armed Forces, under the theme: “A Global Hub for Defence Innovations: Invest in Possibilities to Shape a Secure Tomorrow.”Participating for the first time in Qatar’s flagship international defence and security exhibition, EDGE’s sponsorship underscores the growing global interest in Dimdex, which has evolved into a premier international platform for exhibitors to showcase the latest technological breakthroughs, cutting-edge defence systems, and state-of-the-art maritime equipment. The partnership further enhances opportunities for commercial exchange, industry collaboration, and international investment.The signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Defence in the presence of HE the Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces Lt Gen (Pilot) Jassim bin Mohammed al-Mannai, and Sr Manager, Executive Office and Special Projects at Office of the MD and CEO of EDGE Rashed AlHashmi.The agreement was inked by Chairman of the Dimdex Organising Committee Staff Brigadier (Sea) Abdulbaqi Saleh al-Ansari and SVP of Marketing and Communications at EDGE Salma AlMansoori.HE the Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces Lt Gen (Pilot) Jassim bin Mohammed al-Mannai stated: “Through close collaboration with neighbouring nations and regional stakeholders, we strive to anticipate emerging challenges and deploy advanced solutions, building a resilient and secure future grounded in collective progress. Strengthening security and stability across the region requires fostering robust partnerships, enhancing our capabilities, and leveraging shared expertise to address evolving defence and security needs effectively”.Commenting on the announcement, Chairman of the Dimdex Organising Committee Staff Brigadier (Sea) Abdulbaqi Saleh al-Ansari said: “We are delighted to welcome EDGE as the Main Sponsor of the ninth edition of Dimdex, in addition to being an exhibitor in the event. With its strong global reputation as a leader in advanced defence-related technology, Dimdex offers the ideal platform for EDGE to showcase its innovations to an international audience, opening new avenues to expand its global presence and business opportunities, while also strengthening the region’s capabilities to meet evolving defence and security challenges.We look forward to a successful collaboration with EDGE and to witnessing the positive impact of their participation at this edition of Dimdex.”Managing Director and CEO, EDGE Hamad al-Marar said: “EDGE joins Dimdex 2026 as the Main Sponsor for the first time, demonstrating the scale of our ambition and our determination to lead in advanced defence and maritime technologies. This debut highlights the strength of our portfolio, the value we place in regional and global collaboration, and our focus on delivering solutions designed for export.”Launched in 2019 in the UAE, EDGE is one of the world’s leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond.Focusing on harnessing Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies, EDGE is advancing sovereign capabilities for global export and national security. Working with customers and international partners, EDGE’s portfolio of highly competitive solutions includes next-generation land and naval systems, autonomous capabilities, smart weapons, propulsion systems, and advanced electronic warfare solutions.The Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (Dimdex) has grown into a premier international event on the global maritime defence and security calendar. Beyond its role as an exhibition, it serves as a strategic platform for showcasing innovation, forging partnerships, and facilitating high-level dialogue vital to strengthening defence co-operation at both national and international levels.By promoting investment, innovation and sustainable collaboration, Dimdex continues to underline Qatar’s pivotal role in advancing global security and shaping the future of maritime defence.