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In a significant recognition of Qatar's administrative expertise, FIFA has announced its new slate of standing and independent committees for the 2025-2029 cycle. The appointments, decided at a recent meeting in Zurich, feature a prominent Qatari presence, underscoring international confidence in the nation's capability to contribute to the global development of football.Leading the Qatari appointments is HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani, the Minister of Sports and Honorary President of the Qatar Football Association (QFA). He has been selected as a FIFA Council member and the Council's delegate to the men's national teams competitions committee.Further solidifying Qatar's influence, Jassim bin Rashid al-Buenain, President of the QFA, has been appointed as the Chairman of the FIFA Club Competitions Committee. In the legal domain, Salman Ahmed al-Ansari was chosen as a member of the Appeal Committee, one of FIFA's supreme judicial bodies responsible for reviewing disciplinary and arbitration decisions.The realm of refereeing also sees continued Qatari leadership, with FIFA renewing its confidence in Hani Taleb Ballan. The Head of the Referees Committee at the QFA and AFC has been reappointed as Deputy Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, a position he has held since 2019.Additional appointments include Mansoor Mohammed al-Ansari, General-Secretary of the QFA, who will serve on the Development Committee. Fatima Ali al-Nuaimi, Communications and Media Executive Director at the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, joins the FIFA Media and Communications Committee.

The International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza announced this morning that the Freedom Flotilla heading to the Gaza Strip was attacked by Israeli occupation forces. "The Israeli army attacked the Freedom Flotilla in international waters, 120 nautical miles (220 km) from Gaza," the committee said in a post on X. This comes after the Israeli occupation seized 42 ships belonging to the Global Sumud Flotilla last Wednesday when they sailed in international waters toward Gaza. Hundreds of international activists were arrested on board and transferred to Ketziot Prison in the south, before the entity announced the start of their deportation.

FIFA has recently convened a meeting during which it renewed its confidence in Hani Taleb Ballan as Deputy Chair of the Referees Committee.The meeting also took many decisions, including appointing members of the standing committees following a consultative process with continental and national federations under FIFA, in addition to appointing members to the newly established standing committees for the upcoming 2025-2029 term.Floating Ballan for this position for a second term came after he had become Deputy Chair of FIFA's Referees Committee in 2019.He has been serving as Chairman of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Referees Committee since 2019, Chairman of the Gulf Football Association (GFA) Referees Committee since 2024, and Chairman of the Qatar Football Association (QFA) Referees Committee since 2014.This renewal of confidence came by virtue of his massive capabilities and expertise as a certified instructor with the English Football Association (FA) since 2006. He is also an accredited instructor with both FIFA and AFC.Between 1998 and 2004, Ballan served as an international referee, participating in numerous prestigious tournaments, including the AFC Asian Cup and the Gulf Cup.

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 participated in the 124th meeting of the Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee of the GCC countries, held in the capital of the State of Kuwait. His Excellency Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari led the State of Qatar's delegation participating in the meeting. During the meeting, approval was granted for the outcomes of the 85th meeting of the Committee of Central Bank Governors, the outcomes of the meetings of the Customs Union Authority, and the 15th meeting of the Committee of Tax Administrations. In addition, discussions were held regarding the development of a comprehensive electronic system to serve all types of indirect taxes. The meeting also addressed the latest developments in the negotiations of free trade agreements between the GCC countries and other nations and international blocs, as well as the programme for achieving economic unity among GCC member states by the year 2025. This was alongside a number of topics of mutual interest to the GCC states aimed at achieving economic integration and enhancing innovation and economic resilience in the face of common challenges.

Qatar participated in the 31st preparatory meeting of the Electricity and Water Co-operation Committee of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries, held in Kuwait. HE President of Qatar General Electricity and Water Corp (Kahramaa) Eng. Abdulla bin Ali Al Theyab led Qatar's delegation at the meeting. The meeting discussed ways to enhance Gulf integration in the electricity and water sectors, progress on electricity and water interconnection projects, and support for energy efficiency and demand management programs. Governance frameworks and monitoring mechanisms for joint projects were also addressed. HE Eng. Al Theyab affirmed Qatar's commitment to continuing to work with its brothers to develop an integrated Gulf infrastructure that ensures the security and sustainability of supplies and supports the goals of the transition to clean energy.

The Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Energy Awards for Lifetime Achievement will recognise six exceptional individuals at its 2025 edition at a high-profile ceremony in Doha on October 22.The awards honour global leaders for their outstanding lifetime contributions to the advancement of energy and sustainable development.Each honouree is carefully selected by an independent international committee of experts, ensuring that the Awards remain one of the most respected accolades in the industry.Previous winners of the award include His Excellency the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida al-Kaabi; the 69th United States Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson; the creator of the Dated Brent benchmark (now the world’s most important crude oil marker) John Kingston, and Professor Michael Grätzel, a pioneer of molecular photovoltaics who first demonstrated that mesoscopic photosystems based on molecular light harvesters can efficiently convert light into electricity.Speaking ahead of the event, His Excellency Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, Chairman of Al-Attiyah Foundation said:“As with all previous winners, the 2025 honourees — who will be revealed on the night — represent the highest standards of leadership and innovation in energy. Their lifetime achievements are not only remarkable in scale but also in their lasting influence on the global energy community. I look forward to initiating them to our alumni in the coming weeks.”The awards ceremony will take place at the Sheraton Grand Hotel Resort and Convention Centre, gathering over 300 of the most influential figures in the energy industry.The evening is sponsored by ExxonMobil, underlining the strong support of leading energy companies.Al-Attiyah Foundation’s member organisations include some of the world’s most prestigious and significant companies. Members of the Foundation are: QatarEnergy, QatarEnergy LNG, Woqod, Shell, QNB, Qatar Electricity & Water Co., Q-Chem, QAPCO (Qatar Petrochemical Company), Dolphin Energy, QAFCO (Qatar Fertiliser Company), ConocoPhillips, Qatar Cool, Gulf Helicopters, Marubeni, Sasol and JTA Holding.

The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) marked the International Day for Universal Access to Information, observed annually on September 28, reaffirming its commitment to transparency, freedom of information, and fostering a culture of digital protection among its employees and partners. This celebration underscores QOC’s leading role in adopting international best practices that guarantee access to information for all segments of society. It also reflects Qatar’s position as a pioneering sports and institutional hub in good governance, knowledge management, and national capacity-building. Over the past years, QOC has launched several initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the importance of information sharing. These include strengthening knowledge management systems in line with the international ISO 30401 standard, implementing effective digital archiving and document management policies, and offering specialized training programs on cybersecurity. Together, these measures ensure a responsible and sustainable work environment. QOC also places great emphasis on issuing regular reports on its strategy and sustainability efforts while making key data on its activities and projects available through official channels. This approach provides the public and stakeholders with direct, reliable access to the committee’s achievements and ongoing work. On this occasion, Eng. Fahad Ebrahim Al-Muhana, Director of Strategy and Sustainability at QOC, stated: "Our celebration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information reflects the QOC’s commitment to transparency and integrity, while empowering our national workforce with the tools of modern knowledge. We believe that reliable information is the foundation of sustainable development and strengthens institutional decision-making that serves both sport and society." “We will continue to adopt best global practices in knowledge management and data protection, in line with the Committee’s strategic vision and directions aimed at building a modern and secure institutional environment that can keep pace with global changes and strengthen Qatar’s position on the international sports map.” He added. This occasion highlights QOC’s institutional direction toward building a strong administrative culture founded on openness, transparency, and inclusivity. It also supports Qatar’s National Vision 2030 by contributing to human, social, and institutional development. Through these efforts, QOC continues to play a central role in promoting sport as a positive force for spreading knowledge, strengthening accountability, and expanding access to information for the benefit of current and future generations. It's worth mentioning that QOC has received international certification in the Knowledge Management System ISO 30401 this year. This milestone makes QOC the first institution in Qatar and the first sports organization in the Middle East to receive this prestigious international recognition.

The Qatari Businesswomen Association (QBWA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, represented by its Businesswomen Committee, during the symposium on ‘Leadership and Management Development’ held in Muscat.The event was held under the patronage of Sayyid Loay bin Ghalib al-Said and aimed to enhance the capacities of women professionals and empower them to lead the future with confidence and competence.This collaboration reflects QBWA’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the capabilities of women entrepreneurs and supporting them in transforming challenges into investment and development opportunities through the cultivation of confident, future-oriented female leadership.As part of the symposium, Aisha Hussain Alfardan, vice-chairwoman of QBWA, delivered a keynote presentation titled ‘Personal Empowerment, Internal Transformation, and Self-Leadership’. In her remarks, she emphasised that true strength begins from within, and that self-leadership and internal transformation are essential foundations for any form of sustainable development be it at the individual, societal, or national level.Alfardan shared her personal and professional journey, which led her to firmly believe that authentic empowerment starts with self-belief. She noted that the moment a woman realises her potential is the moment she becomes a catalyst for change and progress.She also underscored that empowering women to make decisions and access equal opportunities in the workplace enhances their capacity to lead transformative change.She expressed her pride in sharing her perspective and experience on self-empowerment and leadership, affirming that these elements are the foundation of sustainable leadership. Her work with QBWA, she noted, is a living example of how self-leadership can drive meaningful social impact.Alfardan also participated in a high-level panel discussion titled ‘Inspiring Leadership in a Rapidly Changing World: Between Empowerment and Crisis Management’. The session explored how inspirational leadership shapes workplace environments, how leadership principles translate under pressure, and how institutional leaders can empower teams and foster a culture of innovation.Joining Alfardan on the panel were Ayman bin Hamad al-Busaidi, vice-chairman of SABCO Group; Dr Aflah bin Said al-Hadhrami, general manager at Petroleum Development Oman; and Swati Mandela, president of the Mandela Institute for Humanity.The discussion examined the role of leadership in balancing empowerment with crisis management, with a focus on nurturing women's leadership capabilities and addressing the unique challenges they face in Arab societies.The symposium featured an interactive dialogue titled ‘Challenges and Opportunities in a Changing World’, where Dr Amer Bin Awad al-Rawas, chairman of the Concordia Group, discussed the challenges facing business leaders amid regional and international shifts, explored the opportunities emerging from current economic transformations, and addressed strategies for balancing challenges and opportunities to enhance business sustainability.The symposium concluded with the official MoU signing between Alfardan and Areej Bint Mohsin al-Zaabi, chairwoman of the Businesswomen Committee at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.The MoU aims to enhance economic, commercial, and investment co-operation between Qatar and Oman and to facilitate investment processes in both directions. It reaffirms both parties’ commitment to exchanging expertise, supporting women’s empowerment efforts, and highlighting the pivotal role women play in driving economic growth and entrepreneurship.Commenting on the occasion, Alfardan stated: “At the Qatari Businesswomen Association, we firmly believe that strategic regional partnerships, such as this agreement with the Businesswomen Committee in the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, lay the foundation for enhancing trade and investment between our countries. Women’s empowerment is not achieved through awareness alone, but through building sustainable ecosystems that translate into tangible opportunities on the ground.”From her side, al-Zaabi said: “Signing this MoU with the Qatari Businesswomen Association represents a significant step toward unifying Gulf efforts to support women entrepreneurs and enhance knowledge and trade exchange between Omani and Qatari women. We believe that joint cooperation is the key to fostering a culture of innovation, competitiveness, and meaningful participation of women in economic development.”The initiative reflects QBWA’s dedication to establishing a comprehensive platform for empowering women and enhancing their social and economic presence. It is part of a broader strategy to expand the association’s local, regional, and international impact by forging partnerships with institutions that share its mission to elevate women’s status across all sectors.

The Attorneys’ Admission Committee held a meeting chaired by HE the Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim bin Ali al-Mohannadi.The committee reviewed its agenda, during which four new lawyers took the legal oath before the committee. They were enrolled on the roll of practising lawyers after completing their training at the Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at the Ministry of Justice and receiving practical training in Qatari law firms.The committee also discussed applications from professionals with equivalent qualifications to register on the practising lawyers’ roll. It approved the applications of three new lawyers under training, in addition to transferring the registration of two lawyers to the roll of practising lawyers before the Court of Cassation. The committee reviewed a number of procedural matters and regulatory controls for the legal profession, including the minutes of the subcommittees, and took appropriate decisions regarding them. During the meeting, HE the minister congratulated the new lawyers, stressing the Attorneys’ Admission Committee’s commitment to creating an appropriate environment to enable lawyers to perform their noble duties in serving the community and strengthening Qatar’s legal and judicial system.

The State of Qatar participated in the fourth meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Cybersecurity of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held on Monday, in the State of Kuwait. The Qatari delegation was headed by HE President of the National Cyber Security Agency Eng. Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Farahid Al Malki. During the meeting, the committee approved the execution plan for the GCC Cybersecurity Strategy, as well as the framework for international cooperation among GCC member states in the field of cybersecurity. The committee also reviewed and endorsed the outcomes and reports of its subsidiary committees, in addition to discussing a number of key topics aimed at strengthening joint efforts to ensure a safe and resilient Gulf cyberspace.

HE the Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi has lauded the Arab League Council of Ministers' unanimous approval of the State of Qatar's proposal to establish the Permanent Arab Committee for International Humanitarian Law.This move represents an Arab milestone and a significant advancement in boosting cooperation to promote the values of humanitarian law and compliance with the tenets of international humanitarian law in the Arab region amid the challenges besetting the region, HE Al Mohannadi underlined.He lavished praise on the efforts made by the National Committee for International Humanitarian Law, chaired by HE the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice and Chairman of the National Committee for International Humanitarian Law Saeed bin Abdullah Al Suwaidi, along with its success in the productive coordination with national committees in the sisterly Arab nations to develop a draft proposal for establishing the committee in a manner that meets the aspirations of the Arab states.Having praised the support given by the General Secretariat of the Arab League and the Legal Affairs Sector to adopt this draft proposal, HE Al Mohannadi stated that Qatar's proposal in this respect underscores its enduring commitment to essentially respect the tenets of international humanitarian law, promote the provisions of this law on the Arab stage, as well as the efforts aimed at enforcing it at multiple national levels, in accordance with the provisions of the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the two Additional Protocols of 1977, and the regional action plans of the relevant Arab national committees.For his part, HE Al Suwaidi hailed the approval of Qatar's proposal, emphasizing that the national committee took the initiative with this proposal, stemming from the State of Qatar's belief and its unwavering commitment to international humanitarian law embodied by the nation's leading initiatives to craft national legislations and establish a national committee related to international humanitarian law.He extended his gratitude to national committees in the Arab countries and the Arab League's Legal Affairs Sector for their support, applauding their efforts to approve this proposal.This approval honestly ushers in a new era in the march of joint Arab action, as the committee operates under the supervision of the Arab League's council at the ministerial level to coordinate this action among the national committees in the area of international humanitarian law as the competent apparatus in connection with the topics of international humanitarian law at the Arab League, Al Suwaidi underlined.He pointed out that the committee ought to contribute to beefing up collaboration among the Arab national committees, spreading the culture of international humanitarian law, capitalizing on diverse experiences, and setting technical support plans and programs, as well as holding professional training sessions, seminars, and workshops in collaboration with the relevant regional committees and organisations.