tag

The Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has organised the 2025 Person-Centred Care (PCC) Middle East Forum. The event was attended by HE the Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad al-Mahmoud and HE the HMC managing director Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Suwaidi, along with regional and international healthcare leaders, professionals, and innovators committed to advancing person-centred approaches to healthcare transformation. Delivered by the HMC in partnership with US-based Planetree International, the forum has established itself as the region’s premier platform for sharing best practices and innovations that place patients and families at the heart of care. This year’s theme, *Shaping the Future of Care: Innovations in Person-Centered Care, focused on how innovation, integration and inclusivity are reshaping healthcare delivery across systems and communities. The programme featured three key tracks: Person-Centred Digital Transformation, Collaborative Care; Building Partnerships for Better Outcomes, and Care Beyond Boundaries; and Systematic Personalisation Across Networks. Throughout the two-day event, speakers and delegates explored how emerging technologies, collaborative partnerships and co-designed models of care can enhance patient experience and clinical outcomes. The forum highlighted the HMC’s leadership in embedding person-centred care across its network – from pioneering digital tools such as the Lbaih mobile app, which enables patients to access and manage their healthcare information via their mobile devices, to establishing Qatar’s first AI Centre of Excellence driving the development of SMART hospital frameworks. Beyond technology, the HMC’s person-centred approach has established the Person-Centred Care Ambassadors Programme, empowering volunteers from diverse backgrounds, cultures and professions to enrich the hospital experience of patients and families through compassionate service and meaningful interaction. Another example is the HMC’s Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC), a collaborative group of patients, family members and caregivers who partner with HMC teams to shape programmes, services, and initiatives. Through the PFAC, the perspectives and lived experiences of patients directly influence care delivery, ensuring that services truly reflect their needs and expectations.

Qatar has reiterated that the success of the first phase of the agreement to end the war in the Gaza Strip is a collective responsibility to ensure its implementation, leading to a comprehensive cessation of hostilities and the achievement of peace and stability in the region, in full compliance with the principles of the Charter and international law.This came in a statement delivered by Qatar's Permanent Representative to the UN HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani, during the Quarterly Open Debate of the Security Council on the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question, held at the UN headquarters in New York.HE Sheikha Alya noted that the meeting follows the convening of the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit on Oct 13, highlighting the participation of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, in the signing ceremony of the agreement to end the war in Gaza, alongside US President Donald Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.She added that over the past two years, Qatar has continued its mediation efforts in partnership with Egypt and the US, and despite challenges and obstacles, an agreement was reached to end the bloodshed and humanitarian suffering in Gaza.HE Sheikha Alya pointed out that the mediation succeeded in securing humanitarian truces that alleviated suffering by delivering aid to the Palestinian people and facilitating the release of detainees and prisoners.She emphasised that Qatar remains committed to its role as a mediator and peace-building leader, with its wise leadership dedicated to resolving conflicts through diplomatic means and undertaking humanitarian efforts to relieve the suffering of the people of Gaza and create favourable conditions for the return of displaced persons.She explained that the Qatar's Gaza Reconstruction Committee has initiated efforts to rebuild by clearing rubble, reopening main roads, and facilitating the movement of Palestinians within the Strip. Qatar also launched a land bridge through Jordanian and Egyptian territories to deliver humanitarian aid, including shelter tents and food and medical supplies for more than 436,000 affected individuals in the Strip.HE Sheikha Alya reaffirmed Qatar's welcome of the UN General Assembly's adoption of the New York Declaration on implementing the two-state solution and establishing an independent Palestinian state.She expressed appreciation for the leadership roles of Saudi Arabia and France in this regard and welcomed the positive stances of countries that have recognised the State of Palestine, affirming its rightful claim to full UN membership.She stressed that for a peaceful settlement and the success of the two-state solution, it is essential to reject actions that undermine it, including settlement expansion in the West Bank, settler violence, and land appropriation, affirming that Gaza is an inseparable part of Palestinian territory and of a unified Palestinian state.She conveyed Qatar's strongest condemnation of the Israeli Knesset's approval of two draft laws aimed at imposing Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, describing them as a challenge to international law and legitimate resolutions.She urged the international community, especially the Security Council, to assume its legal and moral responsibilities and take urgent action to compel Israeli authorities to halt expansionist plans and settlement policies in occupied Palestinian territories.She continued by condemning plans to construct a settlement that would sever East Jerusalem from the West Bank, calling it a blatant violation of international legitimacy, particularly Resolution 2334.HE Sheikha Alya expressed Qatar's denunciation of statements regarding the so-called Greater Israel Vision, considering them a continuation of crisis escalation and violations of state sovereignty and international law.HE Sheikha Alya also reaffirmed Qatar's support for Syria, its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity, and its people's aspirations for stability and development. She condemned Israeli attacks on Syria, describing them as grave violations of international law.She reiterated Qatar's steadfast support for the Republic of Lebanon and the efforts of its government, stressing the need for Israeli occupation forces to withdraw from all Lebanese territories, and called on all parties to strictly adhere to the ceasefire agreement.HE Sheikha Alya affirmed Qatar's unwavering commitment to its sincere and credible approach to the peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue and mediation, and its support for all initiatives aimed at promoting peace and security in the region and the world.

The Business Continuity and Resilience Conference (BCRC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with PwC Middle East in Qatar as its Knowledge Partner for the 2025 edition of BCRC.The collaboration supports Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy (NDS3) by enhancing business continuity and resilience across key sectors, including banking, healthcare, energy, and government. It combines BCRC’s convening power with PwC’s regional and global expertise in Digital Trust and Business Continuity (BCM), enabling organisations to safeguard growth, protect services, and reinforce long-term competitiveness.Engineer Abdullatif Ali al-Yafei, chairman and conference president, said: “The agreement reflects the commitment to shaping a stronger, more resilient economy by elevating the standards of business continuity in Qatar and beyond.Bassam Hajhamad, Qatar Country senior partner and consulting leader, said: “Through our cross-sector BCM and Digital Trust expertise, we will bring frameworks and tools that enable leaders to anticipate risks, protect value, and achieve outcomes that matter to their organisations and Qatar’s future.”In a related development, BCRC and PwC Middle East co-hosted a workshop titled ‘BCM Practices in Qatar’.The workshop provided participants with the practical knowledge and skills necessary to build a resilient organisation by establishing an integrated business continuity governance framework. The framework relies on a proactive approach to testing, updating, and continuous improvement to ensure the effectiveness of plans and foster a culture of continuity within the organisation.Al-Yafei said the joint workshop marks the first step in a long-term capability-building journey that will empower leaders in government and semi-government sectors and practitioners in the field of BCM.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed that implementing the two-state solution is essential to ensuring lasting peace in the Middle East, welcoming US President Donald Trump's proposal to end the war in the Gaza Strip. Sharif said via X platform that "durable peace between the Palestinian people and Israel would be essential in bringing political stability and economic growth to the region." "It is also my firm belief that President Trump is fully prepared to assist in whatever way necessary to make this extremely important and urgent understanding become a reality," he added. The Pakistani Prime Minister praised the US President's efforts and the vital role played by his Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, in ending the war in Gaza.

Qatar Airways has been awarded the ACT Middle East Treasury Award for capital raising for its landmark QR4.5bn QNB-led dual-tranche syndicated facility and supported by a consortium of local banks. “The milestone transaction marks one of the largest aviation finance deals of its kind in the region, reinforcing the airline’s financial strength and resilience.“The achievement underscores Qatar Airways’ prudent financial strategy, strong relationships with Qatar’s world-class banking sector, and its ability to successfully navigate complex financing structures to supportlong-term sustainable growth.” QNB, as the leading financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, played a pivotal role in structuring and leading the capital raising, leveraging its expertise and strong relationships with local banks. The transaction underscores QNB’s ability to deliver innovative financial solutions that support Qatar’s flagship companies in achieving sustainable growth and global competitiveness.The ACT Middle East Treasury Awards recognise outstanding achievements in corporate treasury across the region, celebrating excellence in financial management. The accolade highlights Qatar Airways’ commitment to the highest standards of financial management and the strategic role of the airline in strengthening Qatar’s economic resilience.Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Badr Mohammed al-Meer, said: “We are delighted to receive the ACT Middle East Treasury award for our landmark capital raising agreement with local banks led by QNB for QR4.5bn. The landmark financing deal, achieved with the leadership of QNB and the support of our local banks, reflects the strength of our partnership and commitment to financial excellence and is fully in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. It is not only an achievement for the airline, but also a testament to Qatar’s world-class banking sector.”QNB Group Chief Executive Officer, Abdulla Mubarak al-Khalifa, said: “We are proud to have supported Qatar Airways in this landmark transaction, which reflects the strength of Qatar’s financial sector and its ability to deliver innovative financing solutions. This achievement not only reinforces the airline’s global position but also demonstrates our commitment to advancing Qatar’s economic resilience and long-termsustainable growth in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.”Qatar Airways continues to be a leader in both aviation and finance, ensuring the airline remains well-positioned to expand its network, invest in new aircraft, and deliver the five-star service for which it is globally renowned. The national carrier also aims to stimulate greater collaboration between the aviation and the banking sector, paving the way for innovative financial structures tailored to the airline’s evolving needs while promoting national economic resilience.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdelatty affirmed that the situation in the Middle East is on the brink of explosion, stressing that Egypt rejects any scenarios of forced displacement of the Palestinian people and that the continued violations of the Israeli occupation threaten the foundations of peace.In a speech at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, the Egyptian Foreign Minister said the multilateral international system is in a state of unprecedented fluidity, its mechanisms are collapsing, and its credibility is eroding due to crimes committed under the watchful eye of the international community, which is content to play the role of spectator to the systematic violations taking place.He added that the Middle East stands on the brink of explosion, as all elements of peace, security and stability are absent, there is little respect for international legitimacy, and the brotherly Palestinian people are falling victim to the most heinous Israeli practices. He pointed out that the hands of the Israeli aggression have extended, in a frenzy of power and lack of accountability, to the countries of the region one after the other, and the latest episode was the treacherous aggression against the sisterly State of Qatar.Dr. Abdelatty explained that since the outbreak of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, Egypt has devoted all its efforts to achieving a sustainable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, in partnership with Qatar and the US, and to resuming uninterrupted flow of aid to confront the current famine, which is of Israeli origin.He pointed out that Egypt affirmed that reforming the UN and international financial institutions is no longer an option that can be postponed, but rather an urgent necessity to ensure fair and balanced representation in international decision-making mechanisms.

Gulf Warehousing Company (GWC) has been ranked ninth regionally in the transport and logistics category on Forbes Middle East’s Sustainability Leaders 2025 list, which features 126 companies and institutions.This recognition highlights GWC’s role in promoting sustainable development practices and supporting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives across the region.GWC Group Managing Director Sheikh Abdulla bin Fahad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani said: “We are proud to be recognised by Forbes Middle East for the third year in a row. This honour reflects our steadfast commitment to integrating ESG principles into our business model and highlights our ongoing efforts to provide sustainable logistics and supply chain solutions to our diverse clientele, in line with Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy, Qatar National Vision 2030, the National Environment and Climate Change Strategy, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”GWC’s Group Acting CEO Matthew Kearns stated: “Sustainability is a cornerstone for driving positive change, promoting responsible practices, and contributing to development. We achieve this by leveraging our capabilities, investing in the communities where we operate, strengthening governance, protecting the environment, and managing risks effectively.”He added: “This recognition reaffirms our commitment to adopting responsible initiatives and taking a proactive approach to sustainability. It further strengthens GWC’s position as a leader in ESG practices, demonstrated through a wide range of initiatives such as beach clean-ups, tree planting, wastewater treatment, energy conservation and emissions reduction, paperless processes, vehicle route optimisation, reduce-reuse-recycle initiatives, and resource consumption optimisation.”GWC’s Biobin initiative processed nearly 100 tonnes of food waste from its sites last year, transforming close to 40 tonnes into premium, nutrient-rich compost – enough to cover the equivalent of 14 FIFA football pitches.As part of the initiative, the recycled compost is donated to local agricultural projects including Education City Micro Farm, a community garden run by agriculture company Hadiqa that offers educational workshops for children in Doha, teaching them about gardening to create a more self-sufficient future.Forbes Middle East highlighted that the company has reduced Scope-1 carbon emissions by 3% and Scope-2 emissions by 0.2% compared with 2023 levels in 2024 and recycled more than 162,000m³ of treated wastewater at GWC Bu Sulba Warehousing Park, achieving a 6% year-on-year reduction in water consumption in the same year.In 2024, GWC also recycled over 2,200 tons of waste, with a bold target of cutting waste by 20% by 2030. The company remains committed to minimising landfill dependency and promoting sustainable solutions.In September 2024, GWC joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the world’s largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative, aligning itself with over 23,000 companies from some 166 countries worldwide committed to promoting responsible business practices and SDGs.

QIB Group CEO Bassel Gamal has been recognised in Forbes Middle East’s ‘Sustainability Leaders 2025’, a list celebrating executives who are advancing sustainability across the region’s largest companies.The achievement underscores the bank’s dedication to environmental management, robust ESG commitments, and innovative sustainability initiatives, affirming its influential role in promoting positive environmental impact and sustainable practices.QIB’s recognition aligns with the bank’s ongoing commitment to its ESG strategy, which includes the introduction of innovative, Shariah-compliant solutions and tools that empower customers and businesses to make more sustainable choices.This year’s Forbes Middle East list features 126 leaders across 15 industries, underscoring how sustainability is shifting from pledges to measurable action across the region. In the banks category, Gamal was recognised among the Middle East’s top 10 leading executives within the banking industry, affirming QIB’s leadership in sustainable finance and responsible banking.Gamal said, “We are pleased to be recognised by Forbes Middle East as a sustainability leader, reaffirming our strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility. This distinction validates our dedication to sustainability through tangible initiatives and recent milestones.“Our core strategy integrates sustainability into our business operations, rooted in our Islamic values and heritage. Over the past year, we have accelerated the integration of ESG principles across our organisation, aligning closely with Qatar National Vision 2030, Qatar Central Bank’s ESG & Sustainability Strategy for the Financial Sector, the National Environment and Climate Change Strategy, and global best practices. This commitment strengthens our brand and enhances our financial resilience and long-term value for all stakeholders.”Recent QIB milestones include being the first bank in Qatar to adopt the Equator Principles, which has led the bank to embed a robust ESG Risk Assessment process in its credit review for all new finance requests. The bank has launched a sustainable deposit for institutional and corporate customers, which is in turn tagged to its sustainable asset portfolio. This product is aligned with QIB’s Sustainable Products Framework – guiding green and social financing.QIB has further introduced a carbon emissions tracker in the QIB Mobile App — Qatar’s first of its kind to help retail customers monitor the carbon footprint of their card transactions and encourage environmentally responsible purchasing behaviour through tailored sustainability tips. Additionally, QIB has collaborated with DHL to help lower its logistics emissions under the GoGreen Plus flagship, introduced a range of eco-friendly cards made from recycled plastic, and accelerated its shift to paperless banking through e-statements, digital onboarding, and smart printing.QIB’s current sustainability-related initiatives are aimed at embedding the assessment of climate risks within its risk management processes, leading to the evaluation of the potential impact of climate-related physical and transition risks on its wholesale banking portfolio, as per the guidelines laid down in Qatar Central Bank’s ESG Supervisory Principles for Banks.Forbes Middle East has unveiled its 2025 Sustainability Leaders list, spotlighting organisations across the Middle East that are driving measurable progress toward sustainable business goals. The evaluation considered demonstrable environmental impact, adherence to ESG principles, transparency, collaboration, initiatives delivered over the past year, and credible net-zero roadmaps. Within banking and financial services, the methodology placed particular emphasis on advancing sustainable finance.

Qatar has strengthened its role in Middle East space market with $220mn civil space investments and expected to grow 5% annually through 2033, according to Boston Consulting Group (BCG)."Qatar, alongside the UAE and Saudi Arabia, represents the core of the region’s civil space investments, each contributing actively to the Gulf Cooperation Council's or GCC’s emergence as a hub for space innovation and ambition," BCG said in its latest report.Qatar, with a $220mn investment in civil space activities for 2024, contributes around 5% of the market today and holds just under 5% downstream services market share, strengthening the GCC’s collective leadership and offering a strong foundation for future growth, it said.Downstream refers to ongoing operations and services, while upstream includes spacecraft design and manufacturing, launch facilities, and ground operations. Downstream markets are increasingly merging with the digital industry, adopting technologies like AI (artificial intelligence) and cloud computing for efficient mass data collection and processing.The UAE has demonstrated a strategic commitment to space, with $443mn invested in civil space in 2024, corresponding to approximately 40–45% of government spending across the MEA (Middle East and Africa) region, whose space market is valued at $18bn.The UAE is positioned to capture more than 50% of the region’s downstream services market share, including satellite communications and earth observation, according to BCG.Saudi Arabia, with a comparable $220mn investment in 2024, accounts for an estimated 20–25% share of government space spending in the region and is expected to hold more than 20% of the regional downstream services market"All three markets are projected to grow at or above the global space economy compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% through 2033, underscoring the region’s long-term commitment and momentum.Qatar's Es'hailSat plays a crucial role in regional satellite communications, while the UAE's Mars Hope Probe showcases successful international collaboration frameworks."What we're witnessing across the GCC is a comprehensive understanding that space industry success requires simultaneous excellence across multiple dimensions, financial commitment, partnership strategy, risk management, and policy integration, while maintaining patience for long-term returns in a rapidly evolving global landscape," Thibault Werle, Managing Director and Partner at BCG, said.Saudi Arabia's partnerships with NASA and Axiom, along with private sector participation from entities like Neo Space Group, demonstrate the effectiveness of hybrid investment models.

QNB Group will hold a ‘Recruitment Day’ on September 13, reaffirming its commitment to supporting Qatarisation, and providing outstanding career opportunities for Qatari nationals in the banking and financial sector.QNB is one of the largest financial institutions in the Middle East and Africa.The event, which will be held in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, will serve as a platform to attract, engage, and recruit talented Qatari jobseekers, offering them the opportunity to explore a wide range of career paths within QNB.In addition to immediate recruitment opportunities, QNB will showcase its specialised training programmes, scholarship initiatives, and leadership development pathways designed to empower young Qataris and prepare them for future leadership roles in the Bank.QNB’s Recruitment Day reflects the bank’s firm commitment to the Qatar National Vision 2030 by fostering human capital development and equipping the national workforce with the skills and expertise needed to contribute to the sustainable growth of the economy.Abdulla Nasser al-Khalifa, Senior Executive Vice President, QNB Group Human Capital said:“At QNB, we believe that our national talents are the foundation of our success. Through our Recruitment Day and Qatarisation strategy, we aim to provide not only employment opportunities but also long-term career development that will enable young Qataris to grow, thrive, and lead the future of banking in Qatar and beyond.”QNB continues to lead the way in developing innovative initiatives that ensure its role as a key contributor to national workforce development and the growth of the banking industry in Qatar.

Qatari rally legend Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah added another golden chapter to his illustrious career by securing a record-breaking 20th FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) title, following a gripping second-place finish at the Rally of Lebanon. Despite missing out on a potential victory in one of the most thrilling finales the Lebanese rally has seen in recent years, the veteran’s runner-up finish behind local hero Roger Feghali was enough to mathematically seal the championship with one round remaining in Cyprus. It was Feghali, the undisputed king of Lebanese tarmac, who ultimately claimed his record 18th Rally of Lebanon win after a titanic two-day battle with al-Attiyah. Driving his Toyota Yaris GR, Feghali trailed al-Attiyah by 6.7 seconds overnight but clawed his way back to within 1.4 seconds heading into the final stage. Al-Attiyah, competing in his Skoda Fabia RS run by Autotek Motorsport, looked set to edge out his rival until a slow right-rear puncture on the final stage dashed his hopes of a maiden Lebanon win. Feghali capitalised, clocking the fastest time on the final test to clinch victory by 9.2 seconds. “This is always a fantastic rally and it was a tremendous battle between myself and Roger,” said al-Attiyah. “We pushed hard all the way. I was obviously disappointed to have the puncture on the last stage, but it’s a great feeling to have won the championship now for the 20th time.” Crucially, Feghali was not registered for MERC points, allowing Al-Attiyah and his Spanish co-driver Candido Carrera to collect maximum regional points for a fifth consecutive rally. Carrera had already sealed the Co-drivers' Championship before the start of the event. This landmark title also marks a personal triumph for Autotek Motorsport’s Ken Skidmore, who has engineered all 20 of Al-Attiyah’s MERC titles. Skidmore's record also includes championship wins with the late Misfer al-Marri and the shared 2023 crown between al-Attiyah and Oman’s Abdullah al-Rawahi. Elsewhere, Qatar’s presence was felt across multiple categories in Lebanon. Mohammed Al-Marri, a graduate of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) Academy, continued his impressive MERC4 campaign, finishing ahead of India’s Payyakkal Panikkaveettil. With teammate Rashid al-Mohannadi having already secured the MERC4 title in absentia, al-Marri is now poised to complete a Qatari 1-2 in the championship. Veteran Nasser Khalifa al-Atya sealed the FIA Master MERC Driver title, finishing 15th overall alongside Lebanese co-driver Ziad Chehab in a Ford Fiesta. The pair also scored valuable points toward al-Atya’s push for a top-three finish in the overall standings. Chehab remains in contention for second in the Co-drivers’ Championship, behind Carrera.

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.