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Qatar, under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, pursues a holistic approach to countering terrorism and violent extremism that is based on addressing the root causes of this phenomenon through development, justice, and respect for international law, HE the Shura Council Speaker Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanim has affirmed.HE al-Ghanim highlighted that Qatar has made support for education, funding of development programmes, and provision of job opportunities for young people in crisis-battered zones a core priority in its efforts to counter extremist ideology.Hewas speaking at the opening session of the Global Parliamentary Conference on Counter-Terrorism, hosted in Istanbul, Turkiye, with the participation of a host of speakers of parliaments, legislative councils, as well as representatives of international organisations.The conference convenes at a critical time, as the need grows to unify efforts, strengthen international peace and security, and co-operate in confronting the scourge of terrorism that imperils societal stability and undermines development opportunities, he said.He noted that Qatar pursues a firmly rooted policy against terrorism and violent extremism, one that goes beyond mere security measures to address the economic, social, and political factors that lead to marginalisation and exclusion, the very environment in which extremist ideology takes root.Doha is preparing, as part of its efforts to support sustainable development and strengthen global parliamentary work, to host the second World Summit for Social Development in November. The summit will feature a parliamentary forum organised in partnership between the Shura Council and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on investing in people and institutions: the role of parliamentarians in social development, HE al-Ghanim noted.He further indicated that the forum will serve as a parliamentary platform to exchange experiences and best practices, and to discuss policies and legislation that bolster social development, thereby enhancing the role of parliaments in advancing communities and building human and institutional capacities.He averred that the ongoing practices of the Israeli occupation reflect yet another face of terrorism, noting that occupation forces have committed blood-soaked massacres in the Gaza Strip, claiming the lives of tens of thousands of innocent civilians, including children, women, and the elderly, in an egregious breach of international law and human values.The Israeli aggression has extended to target Qatar, which is mediating and spearheading international efforts to secure a ceasefire and alleviate the suffering of civilians in the Gaza Strip, he said, stressing that attacking the negotiating delegation at a civilian-safe location in Doha, which houses schools and embassies, constitutes state terror and a direct threat to civilian lives, in unconscionable violation of international law and diplomatic norms.HE al-Ghanim further added that silence in the face of such violations encourages impunity and undermines the international legal framework, noting that the arbitrary policies of the occupation not only threaten global peace and security but also help foster a fertile environment for the spread of violence and extremism, exacerbating instability across the region and the world.He called on the international community and all parliaments to assume their moral and legal responsibilities, condemn these crimes, hold Israel accountable, and work to suspend the Israeli Knesset’s membership in regional and international parliamentary organisations until it complies with international law and the principles of legitimacy, especially following remarks by the Speaker of the Knesset in which he described the aggression as a message to the Middle East, in presumptuous defiance of the international community and parliamentary values.Qatar has placed counter-terrorism at the forefront of its foreign policy priorities through its active engagement in international coalitions, contribution to shaping global strategies, and support for development programs that address the root causes of terrorism, HE al-Ghanim underlined, before noting that Doha hosts the Office of Parliamentary Participation in Preventing and Combating Terrorism, in partnership with the UN.This office serves as a comprehensive platform for parliaments from around the globe to co-ordinate international parliamentary efforts and organise conferences, seminars, and workshops that enhance legislative and oversight cooperation in this field, he outlined.He called on national parliaments, regional parliamentary associations, and the IPU to intensify efforts and co-ordinate closely with the aforementioned office in support of its programmes and objectives, and to activate its role in forging practical partnerships that contribute to achieving global peace and security, and in reinforcing the values of justice and respect for human rights.HE al-Ghanim hoped that the conference would yield effective outcomes in countering terrorism and violent extremism through concurrence on a comprehensive and precise international definition of terrorism, which draws a clear line between the legitimate struggle of peoples against occupation, as an inherent right, and the terrorist acts carried out by certain states and organisations.Parliamentary unity remains the most effective means to enhance international co-operation, achieve peace and security, and safeguard the future of coming generations, he stressed.For his part, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, Numan Kurtulmus, underscored the depth of the brotherly relations and strategic co-operation between Qatar and Turkiye, lauding the Shura Council's role in combating terrorism and boosting international cooperation in this field.Kurtulmus called out the double standards of certain nations that claim to fight terrorism while supporting it through proxy wars. He pointed out that the most perilous form of terrorism is state terror perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinian people, amid the silence of the international community.The conference is organised in partnership between the Shura Council and the Doha-based UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) on Parliamentary Participation in Preventing and Combating Terrorism, in collaboration with the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye and the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT).It intends to bolster the role of parliaments in supporting legislative and oversight frameworks for combating terrorism and violent extremism, and in coordinating efforts between parliaments and relevant international organisations to formulate integrated policies grounded in respect for the rule of law and human rights.The agenda includes panel discussions addressing a wide range of issues, foremost among them the absence of a unified international definition of terrorism and its implications, the nexus between terrorism and organised crime, and the impact of occupation and armed conflicts in fueling extremism.Additional sessions will focus on parliamentary oversight in enhancing transparency, ensuring a balance between security and the protection of rights and public freedoms, culminating in the adoption of a final statement containing practical recommendations for the development of the next UN strategy for counter-terrorism.

HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim conferred with the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye Professor Numan Kurtulmus, on the sidelines of the Global Parliamentary Conference on Counter-Terrorism and the Prevention of Violent Extremism, hosted by Istanbul. During the meeting, the Speaker of the Turkish National Assembly expressed his condemnation of the Israeli attack on the State of Qatar on September 9, considering it a form of state terrorism. He emphasized that targeting a safe civilian site in Doha represents a flagrant violation of international law and diplomatic norms. For his part, HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim emphasised the importance of activating the working mechanisms of the parliamentary group in support of Palestine, in light of current developments. He called for more countries from South America, Asia, and Europe to join this group, contributing to unifying parliamentary positions on the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and Israeli threats to the region. He also highlighted that a just and lasting solution is based on implementing the two-state solution and guaranteeing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. HE the Speaker of the Shura Council appreciated the distinguished fraternal relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkiye, stressing the Shura Council's commitment to continuing coordination and joint action to serve just causes and strengthen Arab and Islamic solidarity. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the existing parliamentary cooperation between the Shura Council and the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, and ways to enhance them to serve common interests. They also discussed prospects for parliamentary coordination in regional and international forums, particularly in the areas of counter-terrorism and supporting humanitarian efforts to enhance international peace and security. They stressed the importance of supporting the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights, and unifying Arab and Islamic parliamentary positions in the face of Israeli aggression. HE Al Ghanim met with Head of Special Projects and Innovation Branch of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) Guadalupe Megre. The meeting reviewed areas of cooperation between the Shura Council and the UNOCT, particularly with regard to enhancing parliamentary participation in counter-terrorism and preventing violent extremism efforts, and joint coordination in implementing programs and initiatives organized by the Office for Parliamentary Participation in Doha. The two sides also discussed ways to develop international parliamentary partnerships in capacity building and exchange of expertise, which would contribute to unifying global efforts to combat terrorism and support international peace and security.

Qatar participated Saturday in the 88th meeting of the Gulf Health Council of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) and the 11th meeting of the GCC Health Ministers Committee in Kuwait.Qatar delegation was headed by HE the Minister of Public Health, Mansoor bin Ebrahim al-Mahmoud.The two meetings reviewed topics related to joint Gulf health co-operation and action.The 88th meeting of the Gulf Health Council focused on significant issues, including an update of the unified Gulf Health Strategy 2026-2030.The 11th meeting of the GCC Health Ministers Committee addressed several key topics, notably the GSS Strategy for Combating Drugs 2025-2026, health insurance, the outcomes of unifying the classification and registration procedures for health specialities, healthy cities, and the Gulf Virtual Health Platform.Speaking during the 11th meeting of the Committee of GCC Health Ministers, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi affirmed that the Gulf health system has achieved great development in recent years by upgrading its health systems, qualifying national cadres to be at the highest levels of efficiency, elevating their capabilities for disease prevention and control, as well as expanding the scope of initiatives aimed at improving the quality of medical services, thereby surpassing the regional and global averages in the health index.Albudaiwi affirmed that the GCC countries are moving with confident steps towards completing the process of Gulf health integration by unifying common health standards and protocols and building strategic partnerships with international organisations and leading countries in the health field.“The GCC countries are working in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the project to accredit the Healthy Cities Programme, which seeks to achieve the highest level of health and well-being in sustainable and socially effective cities,” he pointed out.Albudaiwi underscored that health represents the fundamental pillar of comprehensive development and the most important investment in the future of man and society, saying: “The GCC countries have been keen to transform this belief into a tangible reality that is reflected in the lives of Gulf citizens and residents.”The GCC secretary-general mentioned that there are many gains achieved by the GCC countries in the health field, including that more than 204,000 Gulf citizens benefited from government medical services in the GCC countries outside their home countries during 2023, in implementation of the principle of equal treatment among citizens of the GCC countries.“The total number of hospitals in the GCC countries has exceeded 863, with an average annual growth of 1.5%, and the number of health centres and complexes has exceeded 3,400 health facilities, with an average annual growth of 2.5%,” Albudaiwi added.He added: “The General Secretariat, in co-ordination with the Ministries of Health and relevant authorities, also implemented the experimental indicative classification programme for 783 male and female doctors from GCC countries working outside their countries during 2025, in support of national competencies and to strengthen an integrated Gulf health system. The statistics of these gains are living proof of the depth of health integration among the GCC countries and of our common determination to build a solid health sector that guarantees a better life for our citizens.”

The State of Qatar was successfully reelected member of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council in Category C for the second time in a row for the next three-year term (2026-2028), in the elections that took place today at the 42nd Session of the ICAO Assembly in Montreal, Canada, attended by delegations of 193 Member States. Qatar secured 170 votes and topped the countries of Category C, which clearly emphasises its valuable contribution and distinctive efforts in civil aviation industry. The win also embodies a renewed international trust in the State of Qatar and reaffirms its strong commitment to actively contributing to shaping world civil aviation policies. Additionally, the reelection reflects Qatar’s leading role in fostering international cooperation and innovation in the industry to further develop its infrastructures, raise its efficiency, and ensure a universally safe and reliable civil aviation ecosystem. “We are proud of this achievement. It reflects the international community’s trust in the State of Qatar’s journey of boosting its position in civil aviation industry. Reelecting Qatar member of the ICAO Council for the second time emphasizes Qatar’s firm commitment to actively contributing to developing policies and standards that ensure highest safety and efficiency levels in air transportation,” said Minister of Transport HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani. This win, he added, reflects an international recognition of Qatar’s strategic approach for developing civil aviation’s infrastructures and improving the quality of services, and “we are committed to continuing investing in national capabilities and technological innovation to offer outstanding aviation services to the best global standards in a way that reflects our serious endeavors to achieve the goals of the 3rd Qatar National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030.” HE the Minister said that they look forward to cementing cooperation with their international partners at the ICAO and working together to support global initiatives that aim at enhancing safety and efficiency and driving sustainable development of the industry, and “we are confident these efforts will contribute to solidifying Qatar’s leading role on world civil aviation map in a way that reflects its ambitious vision and serves the interests of all Member States.” HE Sheikh Mohammed thanked heads and members of the Member States’ delegations for their trust and support for Qatar’s membership of the ICAO Council for the next three years. In a related context, Mohamed Faleh Al-Hajri, in charge of managing the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA), said that Qatar’s winning membership of the ICAO Council for the second consecutive time represents a significant milestone in the ongoing development of the country’s civil aviation sector. This achievement, he added, underscores Qatar’s pivotal role in advancing the global aviation industry through strategic initiatives that have enhanced infrastructure and strengthened capacity to support sustainable growth. Qatar has been significantly developing its civil aviation industry with world-class infrastructures that ensure sustainable development and meet environmental standards. It also provided several countries with training and skillsets that are necessary for their workforce to fulfill the ICAO-recommended practices and standards, aiming to enhance civil aviation’s safety in those countries. This reflects Qatar’s commitment to embodying the ICAO principles and cementing its partnerships with Member States.

Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council, in collaboration with Qatar Airways, completed the 9th edition of the Corporate Innovation Leaders (CIL) training, the first-ever edition hosted exclusively for Qatar Airways employees.This four-day event took place at the Education City Golf Club, bringing together executives, strategists, and innovators under one roof to explore new frontiers in corporate innovation.As a key platform for thought leadership and collaboration, the CIL training is designed to create a dynamic network where corporate leaders can share insights, exchange best practices, and address the challenges of innovation within Qatar’s rapidly evolving business landscape.Now in its ninth iteration, the training plays an important role in promoting a culture of creativity and adaptability across local organisations, ensuring long-term competitiveness and resilience in the national economy.This year’s training marks a significant milestone as QRDI Council partners with Qatar Airways for a dedicated, employee-focused edition, a strategic move that underscores the growing importance of innovation at all levels of the organisation.The event concluded with a keynote address by guest speaker Stephanie Melodia, CEO of Bloom Ltd, from the United Kingdom, who shared her insights on innovation, leadership, and transformation in global markets.By empowering corporate leaders and employees with the tools, knowledge, and mindset needed to drive innovation, the CIL training directly supports the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly in fostering a knowledge-based economy.Through strategic collaboration, capacity-building, and the promotion of a culture of innovation, the training continues to contribute to the human, economic, and social development pillars of the national vision, helping to position Qatar as a hub for creativity, technological advancement, and sustainable growth on the global stage.

The United Nations has reinstated international sanctions on Iran, effective early Sunday, after the UN Security Council granted reactivation under the "snapback" mechanism of the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement. This move is aimed at intensifying pressure on Tehran over its nuclear activities.Germany, France, and the United Kingdom — the so-called European "E3"--issued a joint statement saying they had triggered the snapback following what they described as Tehran's failure to meaningfully engage with diplomatic demands. They called on Iran to avoid further escalation and urged full compliance with Security Council resolutions and renewed cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).According to the E3, Iran's recent proposals during negotiations were deemed "very limited" and insufficient to avert the reimposition of sanctions, which took effect at midnight GMT after the 30-day deadline expired.The restored sanctions encompass a broad range of restrictions, including an arms embargo, freezing Iranian assets abroad, bans on nuclear cooperation, and constraints on ballistic missile development and certain energy exports.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the move, stating that the Security Council's action demonstrates the international community's unwillingness to accept Iranian threats. He reaffirmed that diplomacy remains open and emphasized that accountability will follow for Tehran's conduct.Earlier, a Russian-Chinese draft resolution to delay the sanction's reimposition for six months was rejected by the Security Council, effectively allowing the snapback mechanism to take effect. Russia condemned the decision, calling it a blow to diplomatic efforts with Iran.Responding to the developments, Iran recalled its ambassadors from Germany, France, and the UK for consultations in protest of the reactivation of the snapback mechanism.

The UN Security Council rejected Friday a last-ditch effort to delay the reimposing of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. The Council's decision came a day before Tehran's deadline, after Western countries announced that weeks of meetings with Iranian officials had not yielded "tangible" progress toward an agreement.The decision also comes a day before the so-called snapback mechanism, under which international sanctions on Iran would be restored as stipulated in the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, is due to take effect.Russia and China sought to delay the reimposing of UN sanctions on Iran in the 15-member UN Security Council, after only four countries voted in favor of the draft resolution they submitted, nine voted against, and two abstained.For its part, Iran warned that if the trigger mechanism is activated, it will end its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.Last Friday, the UN Security Council failed to adopt a draft resolution to extend the suspension of international sanctions on Iran.

The State of Qatar participated in the annual ministerial consultative meeting of the Council of the Arab League at the level of foreign ministers, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The State of Qatar's delegation was headed by His Excellency Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi.

Qatar's economy-maintained growth in the second quarter of 2025 despite a challenging global context, with real GDP rising by 1.9% compared to the same period in 2024. This growth was driven primarily by non-hydrocarbon activities, which expanded by 3.4%.According to a statement issued by the National Planning Council (NPC) on Sunday, Qatar's economy registered real GDP growth of 1.9% year-on-year, reaching QR181.8bn at constant prices, compared to QR178.5bn in Q2 2024.Non-hydrocarbon activities accounted for 65.6% of real GDP, with value added reaching QR119.3bn in Q2 2025, compared to QR115.4bn in the same period of 2024. This reflects a year-on-year increase of 3.4%, underscoring the effectiveness of diversification policies outlined in the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3) and Qatar National Vision 2030.Within the non-hydrocarbon economy, the fastest-growing activities on a year-on-year basis were: agriculture, forestry and fishing (+15.8%); accommodation and food services (+13.4%); arts, entertainment and recreation (+8.9%); wholesale and retail trade (+8.8%), and Construction (+8.7%).These broad-based gains reflect ongoing investment in tourism, services, and specialised infrastructure, and strengthen the role of private sector activities in Qatar's economy.In total, 11 of 17 economic activities recorded positive real growth in Q2 2025, demonstrating the resilience of Qatar's economic base. Service-related activities such as accommodation, food services, and entertainment continued to expand strongly, reflecting sustained momentum in tourism and domestic demand.NPC noted that its National Statistics Center continues to refine its methods for measuring GDP, with recent revisions applied to Q1 2025 and Q2 2024 estimates. As part of ongoing efforts to align national accounts with international best practices (System of National Accounts 2008/2025), a comprehensive revision of Qatar's national accounts is underway and scheduled for completion by Q1 2026.NPC Secretary-General Dr Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak al-Khalifa emphasised the strength and resilience of Qatar's economic performance, noting the sustained expansion of non-hydrocarbon activities."These indicators reflect the progress of Qatar's economy, with non-hydrocarbon sectors recording notable growth that demonstrates the increasing diversification and stability of our national economy," he said."The current growth rates also point to additional opportunities for advancement. There remains significant potential that we aim to unlock through the Third National Development Strategy, which will continue to drive sustainable economic growth and create distinctive investment and entrepreneurial opportunities for the private sector," al-Khalifa added.

The Statistical and Data Training Centre at the National Planning Council (NPC), in co-operation with Qatar Foundation (QF), has concluded a specialised training programme entitled ‘Economic Statistics for Managers: From Data to Decisions’.The initiative, held at QF headquarters, was part of national efforts to enhance government efficiency and advance knowledge-based sustainable development, a statement said.The aim is to qualify government leaders in economic fields, empowering them to effectively utilise data and statistics to impact public policies.The programme focused on developing skills for using data efficiently as a fundamental element in improving institutional performance and enhancing decision-making effectiveness.It is also a significant step towards qualifying national cadres and developing their capabilities in statistical leadership, as well as building integrated, collaborative systems for data exchange among various entities. The programme emphasised the importance of building trust in government data as a cornerstone for ensuring effective governance.It highlighted the pivotal role of integration and data exchange between institutions, and encouraged the adoption of modern tools and techniques in future planning.This reinforces the concept of leadership empowerment in the field of data, which enables leaders to support national decisions with accurate and reliable information. The intensive six-day programme covered several key themes, including: fundamentals of data and statistics, national statistical system, statistical literacy for executive leaders, data integration and ethics, statistical data management, strategic leadership, and roadmap design.Hessa Ali al-Malki, director of the Statistical and Data Training Centre at NPC, said: “Organising the programme with Qatar Foundation strengthens our partnerships with the country’s leading academic institutions.”QF’s talent management director Sheikha Ghalia al-Thani, said: “This initiative is part of our strategic co-operation with national institutions, reflecting QF’s steadfast commitment to enhancing national capabilities through knowledge exchange and leadership development across various sectors.”

The Shura Council participated in the parliamentary session as part of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Public Forum titled 'Promoting Multilateralism Through Digital Trade: What Role for Parliaments' organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union in collaboration with the European Parliament, the session brought together parliamentarians and legislators from around the world, as well as representatives from the digital industry.HE member of the Shura Council Issa bin Ahmed al-Nasr represented the Council at this two-day event, which concluded at the WTO headquarters in Geneva. The parliamentary session discussed the contributions of parliamentarians and their role in formulating digital technology policies that promote inclusive growth and global cooperation, as well as modernizing trade governance.The session also highlighted the responsibilities of parliaments in designing legislation that supports cross-border digital trade, ensures equitable access for all, and reinforces the multilateral framework in an economy that increasingly utilizes digital technology.

The Shura Council participated in the parliamentary session as part of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Public Forum titled "Promoting Multilateralism Through Digital Trade: What Role for Parliaments" Organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union in collaboration with the European Parliament, the session brought together parliamentarians and legislators from around the world, as well as representatives from the digital industry. His Excellency member of the Shura Council Issa bin Ahmed Al Nasr represented the Council at this two-day event, which concluded today at the WTO headquarters in Geneva. The parliamentary session discussed the contributions of parliamentarians and their role in formulating digital technology policies that promote inclusive growth and global cooperation, as well as modernizing trade governance. The session also highlighted the responsibilities of parliaments in designing legislation that supports cross-border digital trade, ensures equitable access for all, and reinforces the multilateral framework in an economy that increasingly utilizes digital technology.