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Katara Cultural Village hosted on Tuesday an event on Malaysia’s flavours and food culture. It showcased a cornucopia of traditional dishes, musical performances, and high-profile presentations, reflecting the diverse ingredients and environments that have shaped Malaysian culture throughout history. Addressing the event, Malaysian ambassador Mohammad Faizal Razali, said that the food culture in Malaysia is a mirror of its identity and cultural diversity. The Malaysian cuisine, he said, weaves together flavours and traditions that embody the spirit of unity and coexistence within the community. Razali highlighted that this event commemorates identity and heritage, as well as people-to-people cultural relations. He emphasised that Malaysian food is a component that brings people together and expresses national harmony as a key feature. The envoy called on the attendees to explore the splendor of Malaysia’s landscape and its diverse culture, noting the collaboration with Katara and national institutions, a move that contributes to promoting cultural and humanitarian rapprochement between the two nations, elevating the exchange of creativity, hospitality, and tourism to new heights.

WFP says just two aid crossings are open and none to northIsrael says aid is entering in accordance with ceasefire planGazans store supplies for fear they will halt againThe UN World Food Programme said on Tuesday that supplies into Gaza were ramping up after the US-brokered ceasefire but were still far short of its daily target of 2,000 tons because only two crossings are open, and none to the famine-hit north of the enclave.Around 750 metric tons of food are now entering the Gaza Strip daily, according to the WFP, but this was still well below the scale of needs after two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas that has reduced much of Gaza to ruins."To be able to get to this scale-up, we have to use every border crossing point right now," WFP spokesperson Abeer Etefa told a Geneva press briefing.She said only two of the Israeli-controlled crossings into Gaza were operational - Kerem Shalom in the south and Kissufim in the centre.The ceasefire plan brokered by US President Donald Trump envisages "full aid" being sent into Gaza. An Israeli security official said that humanitarian aid continues to enter through the Kerem Shalom crossing and additional crossings in accordance with the plan, without naming them.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed until further notice, with its reopening dependent on Hamas handing over bodies of deceased hostages.The UN children's agency spokesperson Ricardo Pires said on Tuesday the humanitarian response was still far below the required scale and called for all entry points to reopen.Some nutrition supplies for children and pregnant women have reached the north via the south, Etefa said, but far short of the level required. "We haven't had large-scale convoys into Gaza City or to the north of Gaza," she said, adding that WFP had not been granted permission to use the main north-south Salah al-Din road.Food supplies delivered so far are enough to feed around half a million people for two weeks, she said.Many Gazans were storing the food they are receiving because they are afraid that supplies might again dry up."They eat part of it, and they ration and keep some of the supplies for an emergency, because they are not very confident how long the ceasefire will last and what will happen next," she said.

Convoys face challenges reaching north Gaza due to war damage, border road closuresFamine conditions persist in Gaza City area, massive aid influx needed, says UN'To turn the tide on this famine..., it is very important to get these openings,' WFP spokesperson saysThe UN said on Friday aid convoys were struggling to reach famine-hit areas of north Gaza due to war-damaged roads and the continued closure of key routes into the enclave's north despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.Around 560 metric tons of food had entered the Gaza Strip per day on average since the US-brokered halt to two years of devastating war but this was still well below the scale of need, according to the UN World Food Programme.With famine conditions in the Gaza City region, UN humanitarian affairs chief Tom Fletcher said this week thousands of aid vehicles would have to enter weekly to tackle widespread malnutrition, homelessness and a collapse of infrastructure."We're still below what we need, but we're getting there... The ceasefire has opened a narrow window of opportunity, and WFP is moving very quickly and swiftly to scale up food assistance," WFP spokesperson Abeer Etefa told a news briefing in Geneva.But the WFP said it had not begun distributions in Gaza City, pointing to the continued closure of two border crossings, Zikim and Erez, with Israel in the north of the enclave where the humanitarian debacle is most acute."Access to Gaza City and northern Gaza is extremely challenging," Etefa said, saying the movement of convoys of wheat flour and ready-to-eat food parcels from the south of the territory was being hampered by broken or blocked roads."It is very important to have these openings in the north, this is where the famine took hold. To turn the tide on this famine..., it is very important to get these openings."Global medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) said many relief agencies had not fully returned to the north, where hospitals are barely functioning, leaving many Gaza civilians still unable to access regular care.Jacob Granger, MSF emergency coordinator in Gaza, described the case of a Gaza City woman with a shrapnel wound suffered during the war who was unable to get to a medical facility to change her dressings for five days earlier this month. When she managed to see an MSF nurse and her dressing was unfolded, the wound was infected with worms and maggots, Granger said.Though small amounts of nutrition products have reached the north - the area of heaviest and most devastating fighting between Israel and Hamas - relief convoys were still unable to move significant quantities of food there.Around 950 trucks entered south and central Gaza on Thursday via the Kerem Shalom and Kissufim crossings with Israel, the UN's humanitarian coordination agency said, citing figures from Israel's military aid agency COGAT presented to mediators.That followed around 715 trucks that rolled into Gaza on Wednesday, including 16 bearing fuel and gas, OCHA said.

Family Food Centre, Qatar’s oldest organised supermarket chain, has marked its 47th anniversary, celebrating over four decades of trust, value, and togetherness with the people of Qatar.Since opening its doors in 1978, Family Food Centre has grown from a single store into a household name, serving generations with a commitment to quality, variety, and exceptional customer care.To commemorate the milestone, Family Food Centre has launched a special ‘Shop & Win’ anniversary promotion, giving customers the chance to win one of three brand-new Jetour T2 SUVs.For every QR50 spent at any Family Food Centre or Family Mart branch, or when shopping online at www.family.qa, shoppers will receive an e-raffle coupon to enter the draw. The promotion will run from September 25 to December 24, 2025, with the grand draw taking place on December 25, 2025, at the Family Food Centre branch in Al Kheesa.In addition to the exciting giveaway, the anniversary season features exclusive promotions highlighting products from around the world and locally sourced favourites — a hallmark of Family Food Centre’s diverse and ever-growing range. Family Food Centre remains true to its founding promise: to bring families together through quality products, fair prices, and friendly service.Join the celebration at any of the Family Food Centre outlets in Al Kheesa, Al Rayyan, Al Nasr, Old Airport Road, or Family Mart at Doha Souq Mall, and be part of Qatar’s most trusted shopping tradition.Shoppers can also enjoy exclusive online promotions and home delivery through www.family.qa or the Family Qatar app, available on both iOS and Android.

The MIE–SPPU Institute of Higher Education, the offshore campus of Savitribai Phule Pune University in Doha, has announced the launch of Qatar’s first accredited university programme on Sustainable Food Systems.It is supported by Qatar Sustainability Week (an Earthna initiative), the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Sustainability led by Dr Cory Flynn, and Enbat Group, a statement said.The programme is led by Ghanim al-Sulaiti, a Qatari entrepreneur, sustainability advocate, and founder of Enbat Group.“This journey began with building businesses focused on healthy, sustainable food. But I realised that true change starts with education. This programme is about preparing students to be part of the solution — combining science, culture, and identity to design a more sustainable future,” al-Sulaiti said.The accredited curriculum covers: the scientific foundations of sustainable diets and their impact on chronic disease and public health; the environmental footprint of food production (water, land, emissions); the role of heritage, religion, and Gulf traditions as sources of sustainable wisdom; hands-on training in composting and zero-waste menus; and case studies with local and global relevance.The course goes beyond theory, giving students practical skills such as: creating recipes using local ingredients, reducing food waste in kitchens, designing solutions to cut the food sector’s carbon footprint, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.Dr Flynn, who teaches a sustainable food systems course at the University of Pittsburgh, lauded the Qatari initiative to launch a similar course 'on the other side of the world'.Earthna's head of partnerships and outreach Shireen Obeidat said the programme represents a powerful step forward. "By aligning with Qatar Sustainability Week and national goals, it ensures that students are not only learning about sustainable food systems, but actively shaping them for a better tomorrow."MIE-SPPU Doha president Yasir Nainar said the programme is the first step in inspiring students to shape a sustainable and innovative future.MIE-SPPU Doha's Department of Management Studies head Dr Sabiha Fazalbhoy, added: “This collaboration has given our students a unique opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world insights."

The National Conference on Food Safety, which will start Monday is considered a pivotal milestone within national efforts to develop and strengthen the food system and ensure its safety, stressed Jaber Hassan al-Jaber, chairman of the Organising Committee of the Conference.He noted that the event reflects the integration of institutional roles to achieve a safe and sustainable food future, improve the quality of life, and raise public health standards. The National Conference on Food Safety will be held under the patronage of HE Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah al-Attiyah, Minister of Municipality, and HE Mansour bin Ebrahim bin Saad al-Mahmoud, Minister of Public Health, from Sept 22-23. It will bring together several ministers, senior officials, decision-makers, and experts in health and food safety.Al-Jaber explained that the conference, organised in partnership between the Ministry of Municipality and the Ministry of Public Health, is part of Qatar’s efforts to establish food safety as a cornerstone of Qatar National Vision 2030. He further stressed that it serves as a vital platform for exchanging expertise and showcasing best practices, strengthening Qatar’s position in the field of food security and safety. The conference will address seven main themes, including legislation and policies by reviewing national and international laws and regulations with emphasis on the draft food law and the Amiri decision to establish the authority; technology and innovation through showcasing the latest applications and programmes such as the electronic food control system and the smart inspection programme; risk management by discussing control systems based on risk assessment and management and the impact of climate change; scientific research and studies by highlighting the role of research in addressing food safety challenges; sustainability and food security by linking safety standards with sustainability concepts to ensure food security; emergency and food-borne disease management by presenting best practices for prevention and rapid response; and Qatar’s experience in the FIFA World Cup 2022 by highlighting the strict oversight that ensured the safety of food served during the tournament.Meanwhile, Khalid al-Sulaiti, deputy chairman of the Organising Committee and assistant director of the Food Safety Department at the Ministry of Public Health, stressed that the National Conference on Food Safety is a significant national initiative reflecting Qatar’s commitment, under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to establish a comprehensive food safety system. He explained that this commitment stems from the crucial role of food safety in protecting community health from food-related risks. He further noted that the conference will review the latest developments in the legislative and executive framework of food safety, including the new draft food law, the project to establish the General Food Safety Authority, and the launch of the electronic Watheq e-system for food control in line with international standards.

We are thrilled to announce the signing of our first-ever franchise agreement, a historic milestone in Junior’s journey from a homegrown Qatari brand to a leading regional player in the fast-food industry.This landmark partnership is with Venicia International Restaurants Management, led by the renowned entrepreneur and visionary leader, Mr. Abdullah Tareq Al Hasan, one of the most influential figures in the F&B and investment sectors in the region. With his proven expertise, business acumen, and forward-thinking strategy, we are confident this collaboration will lay the foundation for a highly successful expansion into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.The signing ceremony took place at our Doha headquarters, led by our CEO Mr. Abdulla Al Ansari, marking not just the signing of an agreement but the beginning of an ambitious chapter. Together, we aim to take the Junior’s – The New Love experience beyond borders and share our passion for exceptional food and outstanding service with customers across the region.This milestone is the start of an exciting expansion journey, and under the leadership of Mr. Abdulla Al Ansari and in partnership with Mr. Abdullah Tareq Al Hasan, we are setting the stage for new partnerships, broader market reach, and memorable dining experiences across the Middle East.Stay tuned as we continue to expand and bring The New Love experience closer to you!

The World Food Program (WFP) has warned that food aid currently reaching the Gaza Strip remains far from enough to avert widespread starvation.WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain said in a press statement that the organization is now able to deliver about 100 aid trucks per day into Gaza, compared with 600 trucks daily during a two-month ceasefire that ended in mid-March.She stressed that this amount is not nearly sufficient to ensure people are adequately nourished and protected from starvation.McCain, who visited Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis this week - including a clinic supporting children and pregnant and lactating women - highlighted persistent challenges in delivering aid to vulnerable populations deeper inside Gaza."What we saw was utter devastation. "It was basically flattened, and we saw people who were very seriously hungry and malnourished," McCain said.She added that the visit underscored the urgent need for sustained access across the Strip to consistently provide essential food supplies.A report released Friday by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) - a global hunger monitoring body - found that about 514,000 people, nearly a quarter of Gaza's population, are already facing famine conditions in Gaza City and surrounding areas.The report also warned that famine could spread to the central and southern districts of Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by the end of September.Israel dismissed the IPC report as "deeply flawed" and urged the body to retract it on Wednesday, reiterating its rejection of previous warnings as false and biased.

The Ministry of Municipality's Agricultural Affairs Department and the Agricultural Research Department, in co-operation with Mahaseel for Marketing and Agricultural Services, a subsidiary of Hassad Food Company, organised a guidance programme on 'Managing Plant Water Requirements: Principles of Irrigation Calculation and Determining Quantities'. The programme was held at the Agricultural Guidance Center affiliated with Hassad Food, with the participation of 34 agriculture engineers and local farm managers. It addressed the importance of understanding Qatar’s water resources and their current situation, reviewed the key challenges related to their management, and introduced the principles of determining plant water requirements and scientifically accurate and efficient methods for calculating irrigation quantities. The programme also presented a number of proposals, most notably: developing an electronic application for managing plant water requirements, enhancing the practical and applied aspects of training programmes, and collecting farm data under the supervision of the Ministry of Municipality to issue periodic recommendations on irrigation water quantities. These steps aim to improve the efficiency of water resource use in the country’s agricultural sector. An interactive test was conducted for participants to reinforce the acquired knowledge. They received certificates at the conclusion.

The World Food Programme warned Tuesday that the aid Israel is allowing to enter Gaza remains a "drop in the ocean", days after famine was formally declared in the war-torn Palestinian territory.The United Nations declared a famine in Gaza on Friday, blaming the "systematic obstruction" of aid by Israel during its nearly two-year war with the Hamas.Carl Skau, WFP's chief operating officer, said that over the past two weeks, there has been a "slight uptick" in aid entering, averaging around 100 trucks per day."That's still a drop in the ocean when we're talking about assisting some 2.1 million people," Skau told AFP during a visit to New Delhi."We need a completely different level of assistance to be able to turn this trajectory of famine around."The Rome-based Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative (IPC) said famine was affecting 500,000 people in Gaza.It defines famine as when 20 percent of households face extreme food shortages, more than 30 percent of children under five are acutely malnourished, and there is an excess mortality threshold of at least two in 10,000 people a day.Skau painted a grim picture of Gaza."The levels of desperation are so high that people keep grabbing the food off our trucks," the former Swedish diplomat said."And when we're not able to do proper orderly distributions, we're not sure that we're reaching the most vulnerable -- the women and the children furthest out in the camps," he said."And they're the ones we really need to reach now, if we want to avoid a full-scale catastrophe."But Skau also warned that Gaza was only one of many global crises, with multiple famine zones emerging simultaneously as donor funding collapses.Some 320 million people globally are now acutely food insecure - nearly triple the figure from five years ago. At the same time, WFP funding has dropped by 40 percent compared with last year."Right now, we're seeing a number of crises that, at any other time in history, would have gotten the headlines and been the top issue discussed," he said.That includes Sudan, where 25 million people are "acutely food insecure", including 10 million in what Skau called "the starvation phase"."It's the largest hunger and humanitarian crisis that we probably have seen in decades -- since the end of the 1980s with the Ethiopia famine," he said."We have 10 spots in Sudan where famine has been confirmed. It's a disaster of unimaginable magnitude."He detailed how a UN aid convoy in June tried to break the siege by paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of Sudan's city of El-Fasher in Darfur, only for the truck convoy to be hit by a deadly drone attack.Neighbouring South Sudan is also struggling, he said, suggesting "there might well be a third confirmation of a famine"."That will be unprecedented", he said, citing "extremely expensive" operations in the young nation's Upper Nile state, where, with few roads, aid must be delivered by helicopters or airdrops."This is maybe the number one crisis where you have on one hand staggering needs and, frankly, no resources available", he said.At the same time, traditional donors have cut aid.US President Donald Trump slashed foreign aid after taking office, dealing a heavy blow to humanitarian operations worldwide."We are in a funding crunch, and the challenge here is that the needs keep going up", Skau said.While conflict is the "main driver" of rising hunger levels, other causes include "extreme weather events due to climate change" and the economic shock of trade wars."Our worry is that we are now cutting from the hungry to give to the starving," he said.Skau said the organisation was actively seeking new donors."We're engaging countries like India, Indonesia, Brazil, and others, beyond the more traditional donors, to see how they can also assist".

Qatar has made significant achievements in food security and self-sufficiency over the past years in many basic food products, most notably self-sufficiency in the production of fresh dairy products and poultry.The country’s efforts to meet its needs for these basic products aim to reduce the dependence on imports from foreign markets and to mitigate its exposure to the risks of disruptions to global supply chains and price fluctuations in global commodity markets.The private sector plays a key role in supporting Qatar’s food security, according to private sector representatives, speaking exclusively to Qatar News Agency (QNA). They emphasised the importance of co-operation and integration between the public and private sectors in achieving the country’s strategic and development goals.In remarks to QNA, Assistant Director of the Food Security Department at the Ministry of Municipality Hamad Hadi al-Hajri said Qatar’s National Food Security Strategy 2030 is primarily based on achieving sustainability in the use of natural resources, through their optimal utilisation and preservation, especially land and water.He pointed out that the strategy aims to boost local production of highly perishable agricultural goods, such as staple vegetables, fresh milk and its derivatives, fresh poultry meat, table eggs, fresh fish, and fresh red meat.As for commodities that can be stored for long periods, including wheat, sugar, rice, edible oils, and frozen poultry, the strategy recommends focusing on building a strategic stockpile to reduce pressure on natural resources and preserve them.These efforts have contributed to a significant increase in local production, thereby strengthening food security and reducing reliance on imports.The Assistant Director of the Food Security Department confirmed that the focus on sustainability and local production has positively impacted self-sufficiency rates for basic food commodities, especially perishable commodities.The fresh dairy and derivatives sector, along with the fresh poultry sector, has achieved a self-sufficiency rate of approximately 98%, covering all local needs for over four years. This outstanding performance is expected to continue, confirming the stability of local production and its efficiency in meeting national demand sustainably.In regards to the strategic vegetable sector; it has achieved remarkable progress, reaching a self-sufficiency rate of 39% in 2024, especially in light of the climatic and environmental challenges. It is worth noting that local production covers most of the demand during the peak production period in winter, particularly for basic vegetables, thus enhancing food security during this time of year and reducing dependence on imports.Concerning table eggs, the self-sufficiency rate has reached 30%, with projects under construction that are expected to contribute in increasing this rate in the coming period. The fresh fish sector has achieved a self-sufficiency rate exceeding 65%, amid efforts to preserve marine stocks by stabilising fishing effort and focusing on expanding aquaculture projects to ensure sustainable production. This is in addition to achieving 14% self-sufficiency in fresh red meat production.Al-Hajri explained that the priorities for the next phase of the National Food Security Strategy 2030 are to foster sustainable agricultural production, enhance adaptation to climate change by adopting more flexible and efficient agricultural practices, and increase self-sufficiency rates in basic commodities.Self-sufficiency plansBy 2030, the strategy plans to achieve 55% self-sufficiency in fresh strategic vegetables, 70% in table eggs, 30% in sheep and goat meat, and 80% in fresh fish, while maintaining previously achieved self-sufficiency levels in fresh dairy products and fresh poultry.In terms of water sustainability, the goal is to reduce groundwater extraction for agricultural purposes by 70% and to reduce the amount of water used per ton of crops produced by 40% by 2030.In terms of improving efficiency and reducing food loss, the strategy aims to reduce food waste by 30%, reduce food waste by 50%, address between 55% and 70% of food loss and waste using sustainable solutions, and reducing the number of foodborne illnesses to 24 cases per 100,000 people.He noted that these goals constitute a clear framework for an advanced stage of work toward achieving sustainable and comprehensive food security in Qatar, capable of adapting to future environmental and economic challenges.Pivotal role of private sectorAl-Hajri explained that the Qatari private sector is a key pillar in supporting the state’s efforts to achieve the goals of the National Food Security Strategy. It plays a pivotal role in promoting economic development by providing the necessary investments to develop the food security system and increase production in various sectors such as agriculture, the food industry, and food security-related technologies.He pointed out that the private sector is characterised by its flexibility and capacity for innovation, enabling it to adopt modern solutions and advanced technologies that help promote sustainability and address challenges associated with food security.Furthermore, enhancing co-operation between the public and private sectors is also a key pillar emphasised by the National Food Security Strategy 2030. This co-operation aims to ensure the successful implementation of planned initiatives and activities, particularly in the areas of increasing the efficiency of agricultural production, enhancing the strategic stock of food commodities, and improving supply chains.He indicated the role of the private sector is highlighted through close integration and co-operation with the public sector to achieve the goals of the three pillars of the Food Security Strategy regarding local production and market demand, strategic reserves and warning systems, and international trade and investment.Speaking on the private sector’s contributions, al-Hajri added that it effectively supports the raising of self-sufficiency rates for basic commodities through the implementation of various projects, such as greenhouse projects for growing vegetables, and sheep and goat fattening projects that increase self-sufficiency in red meat, in addition to fish farming projects that maintain sustainable levels of fish stocks and ensure sufficient supplies for local consumption.The private sector also participates actively in strategic food stock projects by managing storage and recycling operations, ensuring the preservation of stock quality and its availability in times of need.Public-private sector partnershipQatar Chamber (QC) Board Member and Chairman of QC’s Food Security and Environment Committee, Mohamed bin Ahmed al-Obaidli, said in a statement to QNA that Qatar has achieved advanced and tangible steps in enhancing food security by adopting a clear strategy and strengthening effective partnerships between the public and private sectors in this vital sector.He pointed out that Qatar’s global standing, thanks to the wise vision of its wise leadership, its active role in international mediation, and its prominent position on the global gas production map, has strengthened its international relations and strategic partnerships with all countries around the world, positively impacting this vital sector. Al-Obaidli noted that the country has accumulated extensive experience during its journey towards self-sufficiency in a number of basic products, such as meat and vegetables, in addition to significant developments in agricultural technology, livestock production projects, and food processing.He stressed the vital role played by the local private sector in enhancing food security and achieving self-sufficiency, especially during times of crisis such as the Covid-19 pandemic.He pointed out that the country’s strategic reserve depends on increasing local production, which Qatar has succeeded in achieving in partnership with the private sector, developing supply chains, and strengthening trade relations with friendly countries, resulting in providing all the elements of food security for the entire population.He also noted that the launch of the National Food Security Strategy 2030 marks a pivotal step towards strengthening food security, reflecting the wise leadership’s vision for achieving sustainable development across all economic sectors in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.He pointed out that QC is encouraging the Qatari private sector to engage in food security projects by providing specialised information and studies, and encouraging the establishment of joint ventures with leading international companies in the fields of storage, transportation, and other sectors. The Chamber has received trade delegations from several countries, with the aim of bringing together Qatari companies operating in the food security sector with their counterparts from these investment destinations.The QC board member underscored that the Food Security and Environment Committee organises meetings between investors, business owners, and relevant authorities to study the problems and obstacles facing food security and environment sector, and works to find appropriate solutions. The Committee has also presented a number of initiatives and proposals to support farm owners and increase the competitiveness of local products.Businessman Ali al-Khalaf, emphasised the importance of the private sector’s role and the integration of its efforts with the public sector in achieving Qatar’s food security goals. He reaffirmed the role played by the private sector in serving Qatar’s food security goals under the supervision of relevant government agencies, whether at the level of importing consumer goods or at the level of local agricultural production.He explained that there are regulatory procedures and co-operation between relevant government agencies and various private sector companies, each according to its specialisation in the field of trade, in order to strengthen the partnership between the public and private sectors and support the strategic stock system for food, consumer, and supply goods.Al-Khalaf added that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, for example, is responsible for supervising and managing the strategic stock and monitoring its adequacy among strategic suppliers and registered traders, thus, it has a direct relationship with the various private sector companies that import, store, and distribute in the local market.