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Hamad Medical Corp (HMC) has been recognised internationally for its excellence in advancing person-centred care, with four of its facilities and services honoured during the Planetree Person-Centered Care Global Forum held in Baltimore, US.At the event, the Communicable Disease Center (CDC), Women's Wellness and Research Centre (WWRC), Enaya Specialised Care Centre and Private Nursing Services (PNS) were formally recognised for their recent achievements in achieving Planetree Gold Certification.The CDC received the Gold Certification with Distinction, the highest level awarded by Planetree International, while WWRC, Enaya and PNS each achieved Gold Certification.These achievements reflect HMC's commitment to placing compassion, collaboration and patient and family engagement at the heart of care delivery.The certifications demonstrate how HMC continues to align with international best practices in ensuring that healthcare experiences are not only clinically excellent but also empathetic and inclusive.The Planetree Person-Centred Care Global Forum is one of the world's leading gatherings focused on improving healthcare experiences. The annual event brings together healthcare leaders, clinicians, patient advocates, and policy experts from across the globe to share insights and innovations.This year's forum hosted delegations from more than 30 countries, offering an opportunity for international collaboration and learning.The Planetree certification programme assesses how healthcare organisations engage patients, families, staff and communities in shaping care that is compassionate, respectful and collaborative.These international recognitions mark a significant milestone in HMC's system-wide implementation of person-centered care values and reinforce Qatar's position as a leader in high-quality, patient-focused healthcare.

Adviser to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari has participated in a session titled "Beyond Sharm El-Sheikh: The Gulf Amidst Conflicts in the Middle East," as part of the Mediterranean Dialogues 2025 Forum, held in Naples, Italy. Dr al-Ansari addressed the most prominent political and security challenges facing the region in the wake of recent developments, stressing the importance of the Gulf role in consolidating regional stability and promoting dialogue and diplomacy. He said that the Israeli attack on Doha last September marked a turning point in the GCC states' approach to collective security, prompting a reassessment of regional and international partnership priorities and enhanced security co-ordination in the face of growing threats. Regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip, following the signing of the ceasefire agreement during the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit, Dr al-Ansari stressed that any future political or security arrangements must be based on international legitimacy and reflect the will of the Palestinian people, within the framework of a comprehensive vision for a two-state solution as the only path toward a just and comprehensive peace. He said that Qatar, despite security challenges, continues to uphold its role as a peacemaking force and effective mediator in the region, placing at the top of its priorities the promotion of political dialogue and support for the humanitarian response, particularly in the Palestinian issue. He highlighted the importance of Qatari-Gulf, American, and European partnerships in enhancing regional security, noting that the current phase requires multilateral co-operation to confront crises and prevent their escalation, in a manner that maintains regional stability and serves the interests of the people.

Qatar’s real estate market has shown resilience and “record achievement” amid global economic challenges, Qatar Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarat) president Khaled Ahmed al-Obaidli announced Sunday at the opening of the ‘Qatar Real Estate Forum 2025’.The forum, now in its third edition under the theme ‘Aqarat’s Future’, was officially launched by HE the Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah al-Attiyah, in the presence of high-level officials from Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries, including regional and international developers and investors.In his opening speech at the forum’s third edition, al-Obaidli emphasised that the country’s real estate sector continues to maintain “its position as one of the most valuable assets” of Qatar, “despite the accelerating challenges facing the global economy”.“The Qatari real estate market sustained its strong performance through the end of the third quarter of this year, achieving a 54% increase in registered sales transactions and a 41% increase in total sales value compared to last year — a record achievement,” al-Obaidli emphasised.He also announced that Aqarat has issued licenses to 19 real estate developers, citing the authority’s launch of its strategic plan in December 2024. He said by H1-2025, “all relevant legislations were activated to support the achievements of the state’s goals.”“Furthermore, training programmes are being developed to enhance the capabilities of Qatari professionals and practitioners in the real estate field, including brokers, valuers, and property managers, in collaboration with local and international institutes and universities,” al-Obaidli pointed out.According to al-Obaidli, Aqarat also launched the ‘Real Estate Investor Journey’, in collaboration with national ministries and institutions, to further enhance investor experience.He noted that the initiative enables individuals to obtain property ownership documents and residency permits through a single, user-friendly digital platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI), underscoring Aqarat’s leadership in innovation and service excellence.“In promoting Qatar’s unique real estate investment environment, the authority is also implementing an integrated plan to showcase the Qatari real estate market globally, reinforcing Qatar’s position as an international investment destination,” he stated.Al-Obaidli stressed that Saudi Arabia’s participation in the forum as a “guest of honour” highlights the symbolic and deep-rooted ties between the two Gulf nations, as well as shared aspirations for the real estate sector.He said: “We are honoured this year to welcome the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the ‘Guest of Honour’, reflecting the deep-rooted Gulf relations and the shared vision for a prosperous real estate future. We are also pleased to announce that the first meeting of the GCC Heads of Real Estate Authorities was held in Doha on October 11, 2025, in conjunction with the forum’s events.”Al-Obaidli also opened the forum with a strong message of regional co-operation: “We firmly believe that the future of the real estate sector is built on partnerships and regional integration. We look forward to constructive discussions and actionable outcomes that will contribute to advancing real estate development in Qatar and the wider region.”He said the forum will be highlighted by the launching of the ‘Qatar Real Estate Award’, which he described as “a prestigious national platform” aimed at honouring outstanding achievements that align with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. The winners will be announced during the forum’s activities, which will run until October 14 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC), al-Obaidli added.

The Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs is set to inaugurate the 4th season of the cultural initiative, Ummah Forum, on knowledge of revelation Tuesday.The season will begin with a seminar on knowledge of revelation: the referential framework for understanding the mind, featuring distinguished scholars from the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Qatar University (QU).The seminar, scheduled to take place at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd Al Wahhab Mosque in Doha after the Isha prayer, will delve into the topic through three main themes, notably knowledge of revelation: certainty values and epistemological indicators, knowledge of revelation: methodological framework for rational inquiry (examples from Islamic heritage), and referential framework for formulating a visionary centre on the path to insight.The second theme explores understanding the mind within the context of revelation knowledge, addressing the role of the mind: innovating means of comprehension and producing tools of perception, interaction between mind knowledge and revelation knowledge as a pathway to scientific production, and mind knowledge in isolation from revelation knowledge: impacts and consequences.The third theme will present a futuristic vision, attempting to anticipate the future in light of the guidance of revelation and the faculties of the mind.Director of the Department of Islamic Research and Studies at Awqaf, Sheikh Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Ghanem al-Thani, clarified that the forum’s season includes three additional seminars, chiefly revelation knowledge as the origin of epistemic production in Islamic civilisation, covering epistemic production in Islamic civilisation: origins and roots, epistemic production in Islamic civilisation: laws of continuous contribution, and futuristic vision on the horizons of (possible) interaction between revelation knowledge and the faculties of the mind for knowledge production.This is in addition to revelation knowledge as the certain source of human societal laws, covering revelation knowledge: certainty source and foundations of laws, the mind as a tool for understanding, assimilation, and proper application of laws, futuristic vision on enhancing the functions of the mind to discover societal laws, revelation knowledge as the pathway to civilisational inheritance, covering civilisational inheritance in light of revelation knowledge, civilisational inheritance: requirements and conditions, and futuristic vision on restoring the role of revelation in qualifying and preparing the contemporary Muslim to contribute to the journey of contemporary civilisation.

The Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs honoured the scholars and intellectuals who took part in the first Annual World Conference on the Qur’an and Human Knowledge: Towards Sound Human Understanding, and the inaugural Ummah Writers’ Forum, organised by Awqaf in collaboration with Qatar University (QU).The honorees were recognised by HE the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Mohammed bin Ghanem al-Thani, with a host of academics and researchers from QU and the Ibn Khaldun Center for Humanities and Social Sciences, in attendance, in appreciation of their scholarly and intellectual contributions.The purpose of this initiative is to reinstate the centrality of the Holy Qur’an in shaping human and social knowledge, and to foster the integration between the Sharia and human sciences, thereby contributing to a civilisational and intellectual renaissance for the Islamic nation, said Director of the Department of Islamic Research and Studies Sheikh Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Ghanem al-Thani.He also announced the launch of the second edition of the conference and the forum, scheduled to convene in October 2026, commending the participants and researchers who enriched the sessions with their valuable papers and interventions.Director of the Ibn Khaldun Center at Qatar University, Dr Badran bin Lahsan, stated that the two events embodied the significance of reinstating the Holy Qur’an’s pivotal role in the production of human and social knowledge.He noted that the Holy Qur’an provides a holistic vision of existence and offers a set of values and standards that help guide thought and contribute to building humans and societies.The conference helped open a balanced intellectual dialogue between the Sharia sciences and the modern human and social sciences, underscoring the importance of sustained collaboration among academic and intellectual institutions, in addition to the exchange of expertise among researchers from a variety of disciplines, to ensure institutional continuity and to enrich the research and intellectual experience within Islamic communities, he said. Representing the guests at the forum, Dr Abdel Majid al-Najjar emphasised that the Ummah Writers series, which spanned four decades in publication, served as a pioneering reformist school that has contributed to consolidating the civilisational identity of the Islamic nation and safeguarding the Islamic personality in its doctrinal, intellectual, and behavioural dimensions.He further underscored the importance of constant renewal within the series to keep pace with contemporary developments and challenges, enabling the formation of a modern Muslim personality capable of addressing intellectual and social issues and benefiting from civilisational advancements without compromising deep-rooted Islamic values.

The State of Qatar participated in the fifth edition of the Global Cybersecurity Forum, under the theme "Scaling Cohesive Advancement in Cyberspace" on Oct. 1–2 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Qatari delegation was headed by His Excellency President of the National Cyber Security Agency Eng. Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Farahid Al Malki. The 2025 edition of the Forum brought together decision makers, senior government officials, and international experts to engage in a series of strategic dialogues and high-level meetings addressing cyberspace issues from a comprehensive perspective. On the sidelines of the Forum, the National Cyber Security Agency also participated in the Cyber Diplomatic Dialogue between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union. The program included a roundtable discussion on "Joint Collaboration in Cybersecurity between GCC Countries and the European Union on Combating Hybrid and Cyber Threats", where participants explored opportunities for developing strategic partnerships, exchanging expertise, and strengthening collective efforts to address emerging cyber challenges.

The State of Qatar took part in the 7th Meeting of the OIC-COMCEC Central Banks Forum in Istanbul on September 28-29, reports QNA.HE the Governor of the Qatar Central Bank, Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud al-Thani, represented Qatar at the meeting, which discussed a raft of topics on the agenda.Sheikh Bandar also met with Governor of the Central Bank of Turkiye, Dr Fatih Karahan, and deliberations in the meeting touched on strengthening bilateral co-operation in financial and banking fields.

The General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority (GRSIA) will participate in the World Social Security Forum (WSSF 2025), organized by the International Social Security Association (ISSA) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from September 29 to October 3, under the theme "Shaping Social Security for a World in Transition." His Excellency Director-General of GRSIA, Ahmed bin Ali Al Hammadi, will lead the Authority's delegation to the forum, which is expected to bring together official delegations and experts from more than 150 countries. The event will feature plenary sessions and interactive workshops on global transformations in social security, innovation and digital transformation, the use of artificial intelligence in insurance management, enhancing the financial sustainability of pension funds, and ensuring inclusive services for all groups. The forum will also include the 35th General Assembly of the ISSA and conclude with the Social Security Summit for an Inclusive and Sustainable World. GRSIA's participation in this prominent international gathering underscores Qatar's role in supporting global efforts to advance retirement and social insurance systems, while keeping pace with modern trends in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030. The International Social Security Association, the world's largest organization specializing in social security, brings together more than 320 member institutions from 160 countries with the aim of promoting excellence and innovation in social protection systems through the exchange of expertise and international standards.

Doha Forum, Qatar's flagship platform promoting diplomacy, dialogue, and diversity, co-hosted a high-level panel discussion titled "Peace and Development: A Shared Path to Stability" at the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations (UN) in New York Saturday, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week. The event addressed the persistence of conflicts and wars around the world that continue to devastate communities, displace millions, and erode the foundations of development. They also discussed how fragile or uneven development often fuels instability and prolongs cycles of conflict. The message is clear: there is no peace without development, and no development without peace. The event convened global leaders and practitioners to explore the deep interdependence between peace, humanitarian response, and sustainable development. Discussions highlighted how mediation efforts, humanitarian interventions, and long-term investments in education, health, infrastructure, and climate resilience must work hand-in-hand to secure stability. Speakers examined how humanitarian action can be better linked to development planning in fragile states, the role of regional organizations in bridging peace and development, how mediation outcomes can translate into tangible improvements in people's lives, and how investments in education, healthcare, and climate resilience can reduce the risk of conflict. For her part, Her Excellency Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad emphasized Qatar's long-standing commitment to mediation, humanitarian response, and international development assistance worldwide. During the opening remarks, Her Excellency said, "There can be no sustainable development without peace, and no lasting peace without development. By linking humanitarian action with long-term development, we can prevent conflict and build lasting stability." For her part, General Manager of Doha Forum, Maha Al Kuwari said, "Doha Forum is proud to co-host this timely discussion during UNGA High-Level Week. Our strength lies in convening diverse voices to advance diplomacy, dialogue and cooperation. Recent events in our region highlight the urgent need to protect civilians and uphold sovereignty, while investing in a more stable and inclusive future. These conversations will continue at Doha Forum 2025, where we remain committed to fostering collective action on the world's most pressing challenges." By convening diverse international and regional voices, the event reinforced Qatar's role as a convener of dialogue and practical solutions for global crises. The outcomes will also inform the conversations at Doha Forum 2025, taking place on 6–7 December in Doha under the theme "Justice in Action: Beyond Promises to Progress." Doha Forum is a global platform for dialogue, bringing together world leaders, policymakers, business executives, civil society representatives, and thought leaders to exchange ideas and drive solutions to the most pressing challenges of our time. Guided by the values of integrity, inclusivity, and innovation, Doha Forum promotes open dialogue and diverse perspectives to foster mutual understanding and collective progress. The most recent edition of Doha Forum, held in December 2024 under the theme "The Innovation Imperative," welcomed over 5,000 participants from 162 countries, including more than 350 speakers across two days.

United Development Company (UDC) is sharpening its strategic focus to bolster investor confidence and drive economic diversification in Qatar’s real estate sector, ahead of the third edition of the Qatar Real Estate Forum, scheduled on October 14-16 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).“We have refined our mission, vision, and value promise, not as a departure from our strengths, but as a necessary shift to align with the opportunities and challenges ahead. Investor confidence comes from knowing that a company is not only resilient today but also prepared for the future,” UDC President and CEO Yasser Salah al-Jaidah told Gulf Times in an exclusive interview.He said: “At UDC, we are applying our strategic choices to make that confidence tangible while delivering projects with consistency, diversifying our offerings to serve different market segments, and embedding sustainability and innovation into everything we do.”As the forum’s Platinum Sponsor, al-Jaidah emphasised that UDC is leveraging its strategic choices to deliver consistent project execution, diversify its offerings, and embed sustainability and innovation across its portfolio.“The message to investors is clear: UDC is future-ready,” al-Jaidah stressed, adding that the company is “building with long-term value in mind, and in doing so, reinforcing Qatar’s reputation as a stable and attractive real estate market, even in a shifting global economy.”Al-Jaidah emphasised Qatar’s political stability, sustained economic growth, and a clear legal framework that supports foreign ownership as key factors driving investment.“Within this landscape, The Pearl Island and Gewan Island have become more than real estate projects; they are destinations that embody Qatar’s ambition for world-class urban living,” he pointed out.He said, “What sets them apart is the combination of iconic architecture, premium lifestyle amenities, and state-of-the-art infrastructure, all anchored by an unrivalled waterfront setting. Investors are drawn not only to the strength of the assets, such as rental yields and long-term capital appreciation, but also to the quality of life these communities provide.“Ultimately, The Pearl and Gewan are proof of concept that in Qatar, investment in place-making can deliver both financial returns and vibrant, sustainable communities. That is the true appeal of investing with UDC.”Al-Jaidah underscored the importance of stakeholder collaboration in overcoming sector challenges: “Real estate is too complex to be solved in silos. At UDC, we work hand-in-hand with government agencies, financial institutions, contractors, and community representatives to ensure alignment from concept to completion.”He added that trust is built through transparent communication and consistent delivery. “We reinforce this with joint initiatives, regular engagement sessions, and shared performance metrics, so that stakeholders see themselves as partners in success, not just participants in a project,” he stressed.Speaking on market trends, al-Jaidah said Qatar’s luxury real estate segment remains “remarkably resilient,” where rents for premium apartments continue rising, particularly in prime districts like The Pearl and West Bay.Citing published data, al-Jaidah said residential sales are also seeing renewed momentum. “In Q1 2025, transaction volumes rose by 13.2% quarter-over-quarter, with sales values in areas such as The Pearl and Al Qassar jumping by over 50%,” he continued.He further said, “These trends reflect a growing appetite for mixed-use, sustainable, and tech-enabled living. In response, The Pearl Island and Gewan Island are positioned not just to keep pace with these shifts, but to lead them.”Asked about UDC’s strategic priorities for the next five years, and how the Qatar Real Estate Forum help advance those goals, al-Jaidah said: “At UDC, we are committed to creating inspiring destinations that provide lasting value and exceptional experiences. This is achieved through our focus on cost competitiveness, excellence and innovation, ensuring our projects meet and exceed stakeholder expectations.”He added: “The Qatar Real Estate Forum is an ideal platform to advance these goals. It allows us to engage directly with policymakers, investors, and peers, share our outlook for The Pearl Island and Gewan Island, and build partnerships that accelerate progress. For UDC, it’s about turning vision into action by creating destinations that not only inspire but also deliver lasting value for Qatar and beyond."

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani on Saturday announced investment opportunities valued at $450 billion across different sectors. His announcement came as he addressed the opening of the two-day Iraq Investment Forum in Baghdad. The Iraqi Prime Minister said that Iraq has recorded higher indicators of integration into the global economy, with the expansion of electronic payment systems and financial sector governance, adding that a dedicated conference will be held to present investment opportunities within the Development Road Project, the largest of its kind in the region. Total investments have surpassed $100 billion, confirming the soundness of the decisions to diversify Iraq's investment environment, Al Sudani said, pointing out that they launched the "Riyada" initiative, engaging over 500,000 young men and women, training 92,000 of them, which has resulted in 12,000 new projects funded through loans and 20,000 job opportunities. Partnerships with international companies have advanced investment in fertilizers, sulfur, phosphate, steel, construction, and food industries, he said, adding that Iraq has achieved unprecedented success in pharmaceutical manufacturing, marking a historic milestone in the country's industrial development. Today, 54 Iraqi factories have already begun exporting their products to regional and global markets, Al Sudani noted, while saying that the government has launched the largest housing projects in the region, attracting both direct and indirect investments and creating hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Qatar Chamber recently participated in the 39th meeting of the board of directors of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD) and the ‘Invest in the Digital Economy Forum’, held in Amman, Jordan.The events came as part of the Islamic Chamber’s ongoing efforts to strengthen economic integration and advance the Islamic business sector globally.Qatar Chamber’s delegation included board members Dr Mohammed bin Jawhar al-Mohammad, Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Jalil al-Abdul Ghani, and Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Emadi.The meeting discussed mechanisms to foster economic co-operation among Islamic countries, facilitate the exchange of expertise, and support joint development projects.During the meeting, heads and representatives of chambers and unions from 16 Islamic countries, together with leading economic experts and decision-makers, reviewed the progress of the Islamic Chamber’s projects and initiatives, which aim to empower private sector organisations and support Muslim businesses in non-Islamic countries.It also reviewed the action plan prepared by the general secretariat, based on a study submitted by Qatar Chamber at the previous meeting. The study included three comparative analytical reports assessing the organisation’s performance against similar institutional models, alongside a set of proposals outlining the organisation’s future role and potential directions in the coming phase.Speaking at the meeting, al-Mohammad condemned the brutal attack on Qatar by the Zionist entity, emphasising that it occurred at a time when Qatar was actively seeking to promote peace and explore all avenues for a peaceful resolution in Gaza.He added that this attack on Qatar, as well as on other Arab and Islamic countries, calls for a reassessment of strategies and a reformulation of approaches within the framework of the Islamic Chamber, which represents the Islamic economy across 57 countries and advocates on behalf of the economic interests of the Muslim world.Al-Mohammad underscored the ICCD’s pivotal role in enhancing co-ordination among its member chambers and ensuring their active participation in international forums. He also highlighted the importance of encouraging chambers to collaborate, support initiatives launched by individual members, and motivate others to join these efforts.In this context, he pointed to the Jordan Chamber’s initiative in the digital field, emphasising that it should be supported as a successful model. Al-Mohammad also stressed the importance of establishing joint economic entities that serve the private sector and Islamic countries and societies, establishing Islamic banks with contributions from member chambers, and launching insurance companies, educational, health, and technical companies, as well as contracting and construction projects.During the meeting, Abdullah Saleh Kamel was re-elected by acclamation as president of the Islamic Chamber for a new term (2026-2030). The meeting further reviewed an update of the Palestine Initiative, launched by the Islamic Chamber during the 39th General Assembly in Qatar.The initiative aims to support SMEs in Palestine, empower youth to work remotely, and provide job opportunities with various companies and organisations worldwide through digital economy tools. It also seeks to enhance skills across multiple fields through targeted training, thereby contributing to Palestine’s integration into the global market and the development of a strong and resilient national economy despite existing challenges.