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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.

The State of Qatar will be the guest of honor at the 26th edition of the Baghdad International Book Fair, which will take place from September 10 to 21.Qatar's participation in the fair underscores the country's commitment to supporting the Arab cultural movement and highlighting Qatari intellectual production in the fields of literature, poetry, thought, and the arts.It also reflects Qatar's prominent cultural standing and underscores the depth of fraternal ties between Qatar and Iraq.Qatar's cultural program at the fair includes intellectual seminars, lectures, and poetry evenings, in addition to performances by the Qatari folklore troupe, which will perform Ardha and other folk arts, reflecting the spirit of authentic cultural heritage.The Qatari pavilion will feature demonstrations of traditional crafts such as goldsmithing and wooden shipbuilding. Visitors will be able to watch and interact with craftspeople at work. In a statement, Director of the Libraries Department at the Ministry of Culture Jassim Ahmed Al Buainain stated that Qatar's participation in the Baghdad International Book Fair as the guest of honor reflects the deep fraternal ties between the two countries and their peoples.It also underscores the importance of culture, which is the ideal bridge for communication and the promotion of human dialogue. This participation, he said, reflects the Ministry of Culture's commitment to supporting the Arab cultural scene, enhancing cooperation with cultural institutions and publishing houses, highlighting the richness of Qatari intellectual production, and presenting a comprehensive image of Qatar that blends contemporary creativity with a rich cultural heritage.He explained that the Qatari pavilion in the fair features a design inspired by traditional Qatari architecture, embodying national identity and expressing the connection between the past and the present in a style that combines authenticity and the spirit of innovation.He noted that the pavilion offers a comprehensive cultural experience that goes beyond book displays, allowing visitors to explore the diversity of Qatar's cultural landscape, from literature, thought, and the arts to living heritage and traditional crafts.The Director of the Libraries Department at the Ministry of Culture added that the Qatari pavilion will also host a photo exhibition featuring shots of Qatar's modern landmarks, traditional architecture, and scenes of daily life, in addition to the beauty of Qatar's land and marine environment.

The Arab League has said that peaceful coexistence in the Middle East cannot be achieved without a Palestinian state and an end to what it described as Israel's "hostile practices".In a resolution submitted by Egypt and Saudi Arabia and adopted on Thursday, the League said that "the failure to reach a just solution to the Palestinian cause and the hostile practices of the occupying power" remain major obstacles to "peaceful coexistence" in the region.The resolution was part of a wider meeting in Cairo which wrapped up yesterday with Arab foreign ministers endorsing a "Joint Vision for Security and Co-operation in the region".The Arab League affirmed support for the joint Qatari-Egyptian efforts aimed at reaching a permanent ceasefire agreement and restoring normal life in the Gaza Strip.The meeting came as Israeli forces intensified their military offensive around Gaza City — the territory's largest urban centre — and just days after Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for annexation of swathes of the West Bank to "bury the idea of a Palestinian state".In the resolution, a copy of which was obtained by AFP, the Arab League said that lasting peace, co-operation and coexistence in the Middle East are not possible while Israel continues to occupy Arab land or "issues implicit threats to occupy or annex further Arab lands".In its resolution, the League said any lasting settlement must be based on a two-state solution and the 2022 Arab Peace Initiative, which offers a full normalisation of relations in return for a complete Israeli withdrawal from the territories it occupied in 1967.

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates: Pace bowler Fareed Ahmad kept cool in the last over Friday to foil Asif Khan’s aggressive hitting as a depleted Afghanistan beat United Arab Emirates by four runs in a tri-series match.After Asif opened the final over with a four, a six and a two, Ahmad beat the bat with the next two balls. Asif needed to find the boundary off the last ball but was caught as Afghanistan held on to win at the Sharjah stadium.Afghanistan, already sure of facing Pakistan in today’s final, rested six of their main players including skipper Rashid Khan, veteran Mohammad Nabi and in-form opener Sediqullah Atal.Afghanistan made a 170-4 before restricting UAE to 166-5 in their 20 overs.Afghanistan’s stand-in skipper Ibrahim Zadran won the toss and batted.With Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Zadran put on 98 for the first wicket in 12 overs.Zadran hit 48 in a 35-ball knock that contained three sixes and as many fours.Gurbaz smashed three fours and a six in his 38-ball innings before both the openers fell off successive deliveries.Kariam Janat made a 14-ball 28 with three sixes and a boundary and Gulbadin Naib scored a 13-ball 20 not out as Afghanistan hit 56 runs in the last five overs.Left-arm spinner Haider Ali was the best UAE bowler with 2-23.For the hosts, Muhammad Waseem scored a 29-ball 44 with three sixes and two fours while Asif made a valiant 28-ball 40 with two sixes and four fours.BRIEF SCORESAfghanistan 170 for 4 (Zadran 48, Gurbaz 40, Haider 2-23) beat UAE 166 for 5 (Waseem 44, Asif 40, Sharafuddin 1-20, Noor 1-23) by four runs

The Council of the League of Arab States condemned the targeting of workers, facilities, and equipment of international organizations operating in relief and humanitarian fields, including attacks on UNRWA buildings, holding the Israeli occupation forces fully responsible for these crimes, which reflect their approach in dealing with UN personnel and those working in global relief, humanitarian, and medical sectors. Regarding the Syrian state, the Council of the League of Arab States affirmed its support for the just demand and right of the Syrian Arab Republic to regain the entirety of the occupied Syrian Arab Golan up to the Jun. 4, 1967 line, on the basis of the peace process grounded in UN Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1974), and 497 (1981), the principle of land for peace, and building on what was achieved within the framework of the 1991 Madrid Peace Conference. The Council also reiterated that the continued occupation of the Syrian Arab Golan since 1967 constitutes an ongoing threat to peace and security in the region and the world, and reaffirmed adherence to international legitimacy, particularly successive UN General Assembly resolutions on the Occupied Syrian Golan, all of which affirm the applicability of the 1949 Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War to the occupied Syrian Arab Golan. It considered Israel's imposition, being the occupying power, of its laws, jurisdiction, and administration on the Golan null and void, with no legal effect whatsoever. The participants condemned Israel's incursion, as the occupying power, into Syrian territory within the buffer zone with the Syrian Arab Republic and across a chain of adjacent sites on Mount Hermon, as well as additional areas in Quneitra and Rural Damascus Governorates and in Daraa Governorate, which amounts to further occupation of Syrian lands in violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Syria and Israel, and a clear breach of the UN Charter and Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), and 497 (1981). The Council affirmed that the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between the Syrian Arab Republic and Israel, the occupying power, remains in force pursuant to Security Council Resolution 350 (1974) and under the rules of international law, and as a result the agreement should be left unaffected by Syria's political changes. It stressed the importance of the continued role of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), the need to expose Israeli violations, and the obligation of the parties to fully comply with all provisions of the agreement until Israel's complete withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Arab Golan. It called on the United Nations to carry out its tasks under this agreement and to act immediately to halt Israeli breaches of its terms. The Council condemned Israeli practices in the occupied Syrian Arab Golan, including the seizure and confiscation of agricultural lands; the plunder of natural resources, including subsoil wealth such as oil exploration and extraction for the benefit of Israel's economy, and the depletion of water resources by drilling wells, building dams, drawing lake waters, and diverting them for settlers' benefit, thereby depriving Syrian farmers of key water sources for irrigating crops and watering livestock. It affirmed that these resources are the exclusive property of the people of the occupied Syrian Arab Golan, as established by charters, agreements, and international legitimacy resolutions. The Council affirmed the Arab position of full solidarity with the Syrian Arab Republic and the Lebanese Republic, and standing with them in the face of Israel's ongoing aggressions and threats, considering any attack on them an attack on the Arab nation. It called on the administration of President Donald Trump to rescind the decision taken on March 25, 2019, recognizing Israel's sovereignty, as the occupying power, over the occupied Syrian Arab Golan, deeming it null and void in form and substance and a serious violation of the UN Charter, which does not recognize the acquisition of others' land by force, and of unanimous Security Council resolutions, foremost among them 242 (1967), 338 (1974), and 497 (1981), all of which clearly indicate non-recognition of Israel's annexation of the occupied Syrian Arab Golan, and which view it as a violation of the principles of international law that undermines efforts to achieve the comprehensive peace sought by the region's states and peoples.Regarding the Lebanese state, the Council of the League of Arab States affirmed support for the Lebanese government's decision to confine arms exclusively to the Lebanese Army and security forces, and nowhere else, across all Lebanese territory before the end of the current year 2025, and to withdraw weapons from all Lebanese and non-Lebanese armed groups and hand them over to the Lebanese Army, based on the Taif Agreement and the relevant international resolutions. This is also in implementation of what was stated in the inaugural address of the President of the Lebanese Republic, Joseph Aoun, and the government's ministerial statement, and it welcomed the start of the process of handing over Palestinian weapons in the Palestinian camps in Lebanon to the Lebanese authorities pursuant to the agreement concluded with the President of the Republic. The Council emphasized its support for the Lebanese state in imposing its sovereignty and control over the entirety of Lebanese territory and in consolidating lasting stability and security for the Lebanese people, and rejected any external interference in Lebanon's sovereign decisions concerning the exclusivity of arms with the Lebanese state.The Council affirmed Arab support for the financial, judicial, economic, and administrative reform path launched by the Lebanese government, welcomed the series of reform laws approved by the Lebanese Parliament as part of necessary reforms; and welcomed the establishment of many new regulatory authorities for key sectors to activate the work of government institutions and all sectors, propelling the country toward recovery and restoring the confidence of the international community. It affirmed support for Lebanon's constitutional institutions in exercising their powers in a manner that strengthens national unity, and a commitment to provide support to Lebanon to confront the economic, financial, and monetary challenges it is facing and their potentially grave repercussions on stability and social security, helping it regain its vitality and meet the Lebanese people's aspirations for a more secure, prosperous, and stable future.The Council strongly condemned Israel's ongoing aggression against Lebanon and its targeting of civilians, its continued and escalating violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and the inviolability of its territory, its occupation of Lebanese land, and its breach of its obligations under the declaration to cease hostilities that entered into force on Nov. 27, 2024. It supported Lebanon's position calling for the full and comprehensive implementation, without fragmentation or selectivity, of Security Council Resolution 1701, and a return to compliance with the provisions of the General Armistice Agreement between Lebanon and Israel signed under UN supervision on Mar. 23, 1949. It also supported the Lebanese state's political and diplomatic efforts with the international community to pressure Israel to withdraw immediately, fully, and unconditionally from all Lebanese territories it occupies.Regarding maritime navigation, the Council of the League of Arab States affirmed the principle of freedom of navigation in international waters in accordance with established rules of international law and the Law of the Sea conventions. It called for ensuring the security and safety of maritime navigation in the Arabian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea, and for safeguarding energy supply routes.The Council condemned all actions targeting the security and safety of navigation, offshore facilities, energy supplies, oil pipelines, and petroleum installations in the Arabian Gulf and other waterways, describing them as actions that threaten the security of Arab states, undermine Arab national security, and harm international peace and security.It affirmed the necessity of confronting existing threats to freedom of international commercial navigation and maritime transport within the framework of established international laws and rules—particularly those arising from the actions of non-state entities and terrorist movements—as they pose an unacceptable threat to global trade and to international peace and security. It emphasized the importance of all states' solidarity in preserving the security and freedom of lawful maritime navigation on the high seas and in vital straits.The Council condemned the attacks targeting oil tankers and commercial ships in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, including the May 12, 2019, attack on two Saudi oil tankers, a Norwegian oil tanker, and a UAE cargo ship within the territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates; the Jun. 13, 2019 attack on two oil tankers in the Sea of Oman, one flying the Panamanian flag and the other the Marshall Islands flag, the Jul. 29, 2021 attack on the Mercer Street tanker; the Aug. 4, 2021 attempted hijacking of the Asphalt Princess; and the Apr. 13, 2024 seizure of the container ship MSC Aries, considering them criminal acts that threaten the security and safety of international maritime navigation and commercial shipping.The Council warned that the continued threats by the Houthi militias to maritime security in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait require a response by the international community in accordance with relevant rules of international law. It affirmed its condemnation of the May 14, 2019, attack by the terrorist Houthi militias using explosive-laden drones on two oil pumping stations in the cities of Al Dawadmi and Afif in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which targeted global oil supplies.The Council also condemned the detention by the Iranian authorities of ships in the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Gulf, in clear violation of international law, and called on Iran to refrain from such hostile acts, to adhere to international law, and to respect freedom of maritime navigation.The Council further condemned and denounced the actions of the naval forces of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in redeploying military forces on the three occupied Emirati islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa on May 12, 2025; in conducting combat exercises on the three occupied Emirati islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa on Sep. 6, 2024; and in launching naval maneuvers and carrying out combat drills from the occupied Abu Musa Island of the United Arab Emirates on Jun. 20, 2024; as well as deploying missile-equipped vessels in the Arabian Gulf. It considered these steps an escalation that increases the risk of threats to the security of navigation, energy supply routes, and international trade, and that contradicts regional efforts toward de-escalation and rebuilding relations in ways that enhance channels of communication, dialogue, and commitment to joint action for the stability and prosperity of the region.The Council condemned the terrorist and subversive attack on Sep. 14, 2019 against Saudi Aramco's oil facilities in Abqaiq and Khurais in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia using drones and cruise missiles, deeming it a dangerous escalation aimed at destabilizing the Kingdom and the region and threatening global energy supplies and the world economy.Regarding the situation in Sudan, the Council of the League of Arab States affirmed solidarity with the Republic of the Sudan and the brotherly Sudanese people in their efforts to safeguard their capabilities, protect their territory and vital infrastructure, maintain sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, reject interference in their affairs, and bolster efforts to preserve national institutions and prevent their collapse by forming an independent civilian government. It rejected any steps or entities that would threaten Sudan's safety and territorial unity and exacerbate the humanitarian situation.The Council recalled the need for the immediate implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2736 and relevant UN resolutions, and expressed deep concern over the growing phenomenon of mercenarism and the spread of mercenaries fighting in Sudan, emphasizing that this phenomenon poses a threat to Sudan's security and stability and to Arab national security. It stressed that Sudan's security is an integral part of Arab national security and affirmed the importance of the League of Arab States' role in defending the unity, safety, and stability of all member states.The Council called on member states and relevant Arab organizations to provide urgent humanitarian support to Sudan and its people; to rehabilitate damaged facilities; and to increase regional and international responsiveness in ways that strengthen Sudan's resilience against any threats to its unity and help it overcome the catastrophic effects afflicting the Sudanese people. It praised the efforts of the Secretary-General of the League in intensifying coordination between Sudan and all organs and institutions of joint Arab action, and requested that the Secretary-General continue his role with all relevant parties to ensure Sudan's ability to overcome the current situation, based on relevant Arab and international resolutions.The Council also called for a ceasefire in accordance with the Jeddah Declaration, and to consider the possibility of calling for the resumption of the Jeddah (3) track to reach sustainable, peaceful solutions. It called on the Arab Contact Group, comprising the foreign ministers of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Secretary-General, to continue their good offices and efforts to reach solutions that meet the Sudanese aspirations for stability and development, affirming that the Sudanese people are the decision-maker regarding their country's future.Regarding Somalia, the Council of the League of Arab States affirms support for the security, stability, unity, and sovereignty of Somalia and the integrity of its territory; support for the Somali government in its efforts to preserve Somali sovereignty by land, sea, and air; affirmation of the right of the Federal Republic of Somalia to lawful defense of its territory as stipulated in Article 51 of the UN Charter and relevant articles of the Charter of the League of Arab States; support for any measures it decides to take to confront attempts to aggress against it within the framework of international legitimacy; and affirmation of the firm Arab position of absolute rejection of any acts that undermine or violate the sovereignty of the Somali state.Regarding the water security of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of the Sudan, the Council of the League of Arab States affirmed that the water security of both countries is an integral part of Arab national security, and rejected any act or measure that infringes upon their rights to the Nile waters.The Council also expressed deep concern over the continued unilateral measures to fill and operate the Ethiopian dam, measures that contravene applicable rules of international law, especially the Declaration of Principles concluded between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia in Khartoum on Mar. 23, 2015.The Council likewise expressed grave concern over Ethiopian intransigence that led to the end of all negotiation tracks concerning the Ethiopian dam without reaching a fair, balanced, and legally binding agreement on the rules for filling and operating the dam that achieves the shared interests of the three countries and preserves the water rights of Egypt and Sudan, due to Ethiopia's hardline positions that disregard the water interests of the downstream states, Egypt and Sudan, and the rules of international law. It stressed rejection of Ethiopia organizing a ceremony to inaugurate the dam and rejection of participation in it, considering it an attempt to confer legitimacy on a dam built by Ethiopia without adherence to international law.

Qatar participated in the 164th session of the Council of the Arab League at the Ministerial Level, held at the headquarters of the Arab League's General Secretariat in Cairo. HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi led Qatar's delegation at the meeting.

The State of Qatar participated in the Ministerial Meeting of the Economic and Social Council in its regular 116th session, which was held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Arab League in the Arab Republic of Egypt.Deputy Undersecretary for Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Saud bin Abdullah Al Attiyah, represented the State of Qatar in the meeting.The agenda of this session included a number of important items, such as the economic and social file of the Council of the League of Arab States at the summit level (35), the latest developments regarding the Greater Arab Free Trade Area, and progress on the Arab Customs Union.The meeting also included discussions on the Arab platform for small and medium-sized enterprises, support for the Palestinian economy, as well as the unified Arab statement for the 2025 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.In addition, the session addressed matters related to Arab organisations and institutions of joint Arab action, investment in Arab countries, and sustainable development, along with the follow-up on the implementation of the resolutions from the 115th session of the Economic and Social Council, as well as other economic and social topics included on the agenda.Qatar's participation comes within the framework of its commitment to strengthening joint Arab economic and social cooperation, supporting efforts aimed at achieving sustainable development, and deepening integration among Arab countries across various areas of mutual interest.

Qatari swimmers continued to win medals at the ongoing Arab Aquatics Championships in Morocco. Ali Sayed won gold medal in the 100m butterfly for the general category in 53.77 seconds, while Adam Morsi won gold medal in the 200m breaststroke for 13-14 years old with a time of 2:29.24 secs.Mohamed Mahmoud also won gold in 200m breaststroke in general category clocking 2:20.24secs minutes, and Aziz Ismail claimed bronze in the 100m butterfly race in the 17-18 age group with a time of 56.13 seconds, while Hamza Shaalan won the bronze medal in the same event (2:24.80secs). The 4th Arab Aquatics Championships includes swimming, water polo, and open water swimming events and have a participation of athletes from 19 Arab nations.

The General Assembly of the Arab Cycling Federation (ACF) was held in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The meeting was attended by Major General Ahmed Nasser Mustafa, head of the Arab Sports Federations Union, Engineer Abdulaziz bin Saud Al-Thani, President of the Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Federation (QCTF), and representatives from 14 Arab cycling federations. The results culminated in the election of Dr. Yasser Al-Doukhi as President of the Arab Cycling Federation (ACF). In a historic outcome, Mrs. Fatima bint Issa Al-Ghanim, representative of the QCTF, was unanimously elected as Vice President of the Board of Directors. This achievement represents a qualitative addition and support for the pioneering role of women in Arab sports leadership and also reflects the esteemed status of the QCTF. Jamal Abdulatif Al-Kuwari was elected to the Board of Directors of the ACF.

A delegation from Qatar Chamber participated in the First Arab Forum on Artificial Intelligence, held in New Alamein City in Egypt, headed by its Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani.In his speech at the forum’s second panel discussion, entitled "The Role of the Arab Private Sector and Arab Businessmen in Activating and Implementing the Arab Artificial Intelligence Initiative,” Sheikh Khalifa emphasised that the Arab AI Initiative, endorsed at the Arab Development Summit in Baghdad in May 2025, represents a cornerstone for unifying Arab efforts to ensure the optimal utilisation of modern technologies in serving Arab societies, supporting their economies, and enhancing their global competitiveness.He also noted that Arab countries have made significant strides in the AI sector, underscoring the need for active participation from the Arab private sector in implementing this ambitious initiative.He emphasised that Arab businessmen play a pivotal role in the initiative’s success by supporting innovative startups and strengthening partnerships with academic institutions and research centres.He underlined that the private sector plays a key role in accelerating digital transformation and creating a business environment capable of embracing these technologies.Sheikh Khalifa also highlighted Qatar’s strong commitment to innovation and technology through the launch of multiple strategies and initiatives that support digital transformation, develop technological infrastructure, and build qualified human capacities.He stressed the importance of enacting flexible legislation and providing investment incentives to boost the flow of joint Arab investment in technology and AI. He affirmed the readiness of Qatar Chamber and the Qatari private sector to actively contribute to supporting and implementing the Arab AI Initiative in a way that achieves sustainable development for Arab nations and enhances their presence in the global knowledge and innovation-based economy.The forum, organised by the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport in co-operation with the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, served as a leading Arab platform for exchanging experiences and formulating future visions to support cybersecurity, the digital economy, and technological innovation, thereby strengthening the Arab region’s position on the global AI map.The forum featured eight panel sessions addressing several themes, including: the role of Arab organisations and institutions, the role of the private sector and Arab businessmen, the role of Arab financial institutions, AI governance, ethical frameworks and international co-operation, cybersecurity infrastructure and digital sovereignty, economic development, and innovation, as well as human capacity building and preserving cultural identity.

Qatari swimmer Adam Morsi, won the gold medal in the 50-meter breaststroke event for the 13-14 age group, at the 4th edition of the Arab Aquatics Age Group Championships, currently being held in Morocco and running until September 1.Morsi completed the race in 31.23 seconds, setting a new Arab record.Swimmer Mohamed Mahmoud also won the gold medal in the men's 50-meter breaststroke with a time of 28.53 seconds, raising Qatar's tally to three gold medals at the championship.Meanwhile, swimmer Hamza Shaalan claimed the silver medal in the 50-meter breaststroke for the 17-18 age group, finishing in 29.13 seconds.The Qatari relay team also secured a silver medal in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay, clocking a time of 7:55.80 minutes.The championship brings together athletes from 19 Arab countries. It includes competitions in swimming, water polo, and open-water swimming.

In line with Qatar’s commitment to supporting the brotherly Syrian people, a delegation from Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) conducted a field visit to the Syrian Arab Republic. The visit aimed to assess Syria’s current developmental and humanitarian needs and to identify avenues for collaboration with local and international partners to strengthen support for the country’s key sectors and advance sustainable development. In a statement, QFFD said the three-day visit included technical meetings with several international organizations and UN agencies. Discussions focused on the current priorities and the most pressing needs, with an emphasis on impactful and sustainable projects in essential sectors such as health, water, food security, and community rehabilitation. The delegation held meetings with representatives from the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC), focusing on ways to advance urban recovery and essential services in affected areas, while reviewing progress on ongoing joint initiatives. The delegation also met with the World Food Programme (WFP), including a field visit to Eastern Ghouta to take a look at several on-the-ground projects. These included the Adra wastewater treatment plant, the Rihan water lifting station, and the irrigation canal, in addition to a small and medium enterprise initiative. The visit offered an opportunity to engage with local farmers and entrepreneurs, and to witness first-hand the positive impact of community recovery programs. Further meetings were held with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) to discuss potential areas of co-operation, and the Syrian Ministry of Health. Discussions with the Ministry covered health sector priorities, including support for medical centers, access to medicines, and coordination mechanisms to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of joint efforts. This field visit underscores QFFD’s dedication to promoting inclusive and sustainable development, enhancing humanitarian assistance, and reinforcing the resilience and well-being of Syrian communities. Through impactful partnerships and collaboration, QFFD continues to implement targeted initiatives that deliver meaningful and sustainable support to address the country’s most pressing needs.