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Qatar condemned the Israeli occupation’s renewed attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, considering it a blatant violation of international law, humanitarian values, and maritime security, and a perpetuation of the unjust siege on the Gaza Strip. In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stressed that the ongoing crimes of the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people, including the intimidation of those who stand in solidarity with their legitimate rights, will exacerbate the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territories, especially in the Gaza Strip.The ministry stressed the need for the international community to stand in solidarity to compel the occupation to open the crossings, remove the illegal restrictions on the flow of aid, provide protection for Palestinians, and release the activists it arrested after seizing the flotilla. – QNA 

His Excellency the Adviser to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Dr Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari participated in a session titled "Which Security Tomorrow" as part of the NEXT Milan Forum, organised by the Italian Institute for International Political Studies.In his remarks, Dr al-Ansari stressed the need to strengthen international collective action and support institutional frameworks capable of managing dialogue, contributing to building a more stable and secure future. He said the current international landscape is marked by increasing complexity, amid declining trust among global actors, which directly impacts prospects for tangible progress in addressing ongoing issues and conflicts.He noted that divisions within societies, compounded by the growing influence of media and political narratives, further complicate the situation and hinder pathways to resolution. He underscored the importance of sustaining the role of mediation, diplomacy, and international institutions at this stage, describing them as essential tools for fostering an environment conducive to constructive dialogue and bringing relevant parties to the table, thereby advancing efforts toward viable solutions.The MoFA spokesperson also highlighted the rise of global pessimism, particularly among youth, driven by the escalation and persistence of conflicts without clear prospects for resolution, noting that several of these conflicts have extended over long periods without definitive solutions. 

The State of Qatar has reiterated the importance of eliminating racism and racial discrimination in all its forms, highlighting steps taken to promote equality, tolerance and social cohesion. The statement was delivered by Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Delegation of the State of Qatar to the UN Office in Geneva, Jawhara bint Abdulaziz Al Suwaidi, during an informal meeting of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination with states parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. She said the State of Qatar had adopted policies and plans aimed at fostering an inclusive and safe society free from intolerance, hatred and discrimination, stressing that racism contravenes international and national laws and norms. Al Suwaidi also emphasized the importance of maintaining neutrality, objectivity and mutual respect in the committee's work, noting that such principles strengthen trust in international mechanisms and ensure their effectiveness. She warned against approaches that could fuel division or justify exclusion based on race or origin, particularly amid current regional and global challenges, and called for preserving constructive dialogue and cooperation in addressing related issues

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) organised a variety of sporting activities at the Diplomatic Club to mark the 15th edition of Qatar National Sport Day (NSD), held under the slogan I Chose Sport. The activities were attended by His Excellency the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi and His Excellency the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi, along with a number of diplomats, officials, ministry staff, and their families. The programme included football, volleyball, basketball, tennis, shooting, archery, and cycling, in addition to a number of traditional games and other activities.  

His Excellency Dr Majed Mohamed al-Ansari, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Tuesday disclosed that diplomatic talks and high-level visits between Qatar and Iran leaderships were ongoing to de-escalate the situation and maintain regional stability.Speaking at Tuesday's MoFA weekly briefing, Dr al-Ansari stressed that all regional and international stakeholders are engaged in continuous discussions aimed at returning to diplomatic solutions and the negotiating table. The goal is to prevent any escalation and preserve stability and peace across the region.Qatar, he said, has consistently implemented all necessary precautionary measures to safeguard its security, sovereignty and citizens amid potential regional escalations. Prolonged disputes and rising tensions serve no-one's interests, particularly given Iran's status as a neighbour with shared historical ties. A tense regional future would harm everyone involved.Dr al-Ansari noted that all parties — including Iran, the US and Turkiye — are collaborating closely with Qatar, which has always prioritised diplomatic and peaceful dispute resolution for the benefit of all.On the Gaza Strip, he emphasised the urgent need to fully reopen the Rafah Crossing to enable free movement for Palestinians seeking treatment, education and other humanitarian needs. The crossing must also stay open for aid deliveries, as humanitarian issues should remain separate from political disputes.While welcoming the partial reopening as a positive development, Dr al-Ansari said it falls far short of requirements. Over 20,000 patients urgently require medical care but cannot access it due to the ongoing standoff.Qatar, he added, is working tirelessly with partners — including Egypt, the US, the European Union and various international entities — to alleviate suffering and halt what he termed a "full crime against humanity."Addressing repeated accusations against Qatar from Israeli Knesset members, Dr al-Ansari declared: "We completely reject all attempts to use Qatar's name in the internal political conflicts of the Israeli government."He pointed out that Qatar's name is routinely dragged into Israel's domestic disputes, despite Qatar never attacking Israel. Israel, by contrast, launched an unprovoked assault on Qatar, killing civilians and damaging civilian infrastructure — for which its prime minister later formally apologised, pledging never to repeat such actions.Qatar, Dr al-Ansari reaffirmed, consistently promotes peace and stability while rejecting hostile posturing, having no involvement whatsoever in Israel's internal political matters. 

His Excellency Adviser to the Prime Minister and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Dr Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari met Tuesday with Press Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Kitamura Toshihiro, who is currently visiting the country. The meeting discussed bilateral co-operation relations, ways to support and develop them, and the exchange of expertise in the media field. 

Japan is prepared to support Qatar as it shifts its economic focus from traditional energy to more advanced sectors, according to Kitamura Toshihiro, the press secretary/DG for Press and Public Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan.Responding to a Gulf Times question during a media briefing in Doha Tuesday, Toshihiro emphasised that the Japan-Qatar bilateral relationship is maturing beyond its historic foundations in energy and infrastructure to embrace a future defined by innovation.“Qatar is very active not only in diplomacy, but also in the economy, as well. [The Qatari] government is now trying to shift from energy to other areas, such as artificial intelligence (AI) or other so-called advanced technologies, so that could be the joint common areas of cooperation for both Japan and Qatar,” he told this newspaper.Toshihiro noted that the visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi to Qatar, where he co-chaired the third ‘Japan-Qatar Strategic Dialogue’, marks a first-of-its-kind mission under the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and underscores the vital importance Japan places on the Middle East.The press secretary said energy remains a cornerstone of the partnership, with long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) contracts serving as a foundation for decades of friendship. He said Japan is currently promoting the ASEAN Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative, which views LNG as a primary transition fuel for reconciling economic development with green transformation.Toshihiro said, “By providing Japanese technology to ASEAN nations, Japan aims to expand the market for LNG in partnership with Qatari resources. In that context, we consider that LNG remains a more prosperous source of energy.“Major Japanese companies and the Japanese government are working very hard with ASEAN countries to expand the market for LNG...in this context, I think there are many possibilities between Japan and the Qatari government in promoting LNG cooperation,” he explained.According to Toshihiro, economic cooperation is further maturing through significant reciprocal investments, including a $2.5bn joint investment fund established between the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Japan’s ORIX Corp.Looking forward, Toshihiro pointed out that the Japanese government has identified 17 priority areas for future development, including AI, which align with the Qatar National Vision 2030.To facilitate this, Toshihiro said the Japanese Embassy in Doha plans to brief domestic firms next month on the vast possibilities for viewing Qatar as a strategic hub for regional expansion. 

The State of Qatar has welcomed the efforts of the legitimate Yemeni government to support the Yemeni dialogue process and address the Southern issue. In this regard, Qatar commended the request of the President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council to convene a conference in Riyadh to discuss just and sustainable solutions to the issue, reflecting his commitment to dialogue as the optimal approach to addressing national challenges.In a statement issued Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the State of Qatar's appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting this conference, as part of its continued efforts to support initiatives aimed at achieving security and stability in the Republic of Yemen.The Ministry stressed the importance of the constructive and responsible participation of all Southern components in the upcoming Riyadh conference, in a manner that prioritizes the supreme interests of the Yemeni people. It also underscored the necessity of adhering to the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference, which represent the consensual framework and comprehensive reference for reaching an inclusive political solution that fulfills the aspirations of all segments of the Yemeni people, while safeguarding Yemen's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs cautioned that unilateral declarations or actions taken outside the framework of consultation, consensus, and serious dialogue among Yemeni parties would risk exacerbating instability and chaos, thereby harming the interests of the brotherly Yemeni people and undermining prospects for a sustainable political settlement.The Ministry reaffirmed the State of Qatar's full support for all regional and international efforts aimed at advancing the political process, ending the Yemeni crisis through dialogue and peaceful means, and contributing to the security and stability of Yemen and the region.

The Governments of the State of Qatar, the United States of America, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator), and the African Union Commission issued the following statement on the occasion of the fourth meeting of the Joint Oversight Committee, held this week in Washington, D.C.On November 7, 2025, representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda, along with the State of Qatar, the United States, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator), and the African Union Commission convened to assess implementation of the Peace Agreement, signed on June 27, 2025, in Washington, D.C..In a significant step forward, representatives from the DRC and Rwanda initialed the full text of the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF) today, overseen by HE Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs of the United States, Allison Hooker, and HE Presidential Envoy and Senior Advisor for Africa at the US Department of State, Massad Boulos.The REIF outlines key areas for fostering economic cooperation and development between the two nations, demonstrating the tangible benefits of peace and creating opportunities for investment and growth that directly benefit people in the region. Its implementation remains contingent upon the satisfactory execution of the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and Operational Order (OPORD) under the Peace Agreement, underscoring the critical link between peace, stability, and economic progress.The Committee recognized lagging progress and committed to redouble efforts to implement the Washington Peace Agreement. The Parties agreed on specific near-term actions in line with their respective obligations for neutralizing the FDLR armed group and its associated groups and advancing disengagement of forces/lifting of defensive measures by Rwanda, reviewed preparations for military operations in a named area of interest, adopted an implementing agreement, and acknowledged the efforts of both of the Parties to translate their obligations into tangible actions on the ground. The Parties reaffirmed their commitment to refrain from hostile actions or rhetoric, particularly political attacks or language that would undermine or complicate the full implementation of the Peace Agreement, including in international fora.The State of Qatar provided an update on the ongoing negotiations in Doha between the DRC and AFC/M23, highlighting progress on key issues, including prisoner exchanges.The Committee welcomed the first convening of the Doha ceasefire monitoring mechanism on November 5. The Committee expressed strong support for these efforts and emphasized the critical role of the Doha process in advancing the broader implementation of the Peace Agreement.The Parties expressed a shared commitment to maintaining momentum in the peace process and continuing to build on the progress achieved.The Governments of the DRC and Rwanda expressed their gratitude to the State of Qatar, the United States, the African Union, and Togo for their steadfast support in advancing peace and stability in eastern DRC and the broader Great Lakes region.

Qatar is committed to achieve peace and end the war in Gaza, especially with no let-up in the daily Israeli aggression on the Palestinian people, HE Dr Majid Mohamed al-Ansari, Adviser to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday said.The ongoing indirect negotiations between the Palestinian group Hamas and Israel in Sharm al-Sheikh in Egypt went on for four hours on Monday and continued Tuesday, he said.Highlighting the complexity of the talks, he said US President Donald Trump's peace plan has 20 points, each of which requires detailed consideration.During his weekly briefing, Dr al-Ansari said Qatar is committed to implementing the plan, and deliver the necessary aid immediately to the people in Gaza."But, we want a clear cut plan to guarantee the effective implementation of Trump's peace plan to avoid giving Israel any excuse to renew their attacks. Negotiations are currently focused on identifying the key obstacles hindering the implementation of President Trump's plan."Dr al-Ansari said Qatar, US and Egypt have been leading the mediation for two years now.He noted that all delegations are presently in Sharm El Sheikh, including the Qatari negotiating team.He also pointed out that Egypt is set to organise an international conference for the reconstruction of Gaza after the end of war, and Qatar strongly supports this.Regarding the future of Hamas in Gaza, he said it is still too early to talk about this. "Qatar believes that the future of the Palestinian people have to be in the hands of Palestinian people themselves. It is a Palestinian issue and it concerns them above all. Since day one of the negotiations, we have said that there is a need to unite the Palestinian people."He said the Hamas political office in Doha is needed for the negotiations.Regarding the handover of the Israeli hostages, he reiterated: "I stress that the US has been clear in linking the end of war with the handover of the hostages to Israel."Reuters adds: On the second day of talks in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, top Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya told Egyptian state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV the group had come "to engage in serious and responsible negotiations."He said Hamas was ready to reach a deal, yet it needed a "guarantee" to end the war and ensure "it is not repeated".Senior Hamas official Fawzi Barhoum said a deal must ensure an end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.Dr. Al Ansari said Qatar is currently engaged in more than 10 mediation efforts.Regarding the first Russia-Arab summit on October 15 in Moscow, he noted that the relations between the Arab world, Qatar and Russia are very important.He added that "there is an ongoing war in Ukraine and we are committed to achieve peace and help children in both countries to reunite with their families".

Adviser to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari said that Qatar welcomes the announcement by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) of its acceptance of US President Donald Trump's proposal to end the war in Gaza and its willingness to release all hostages, as part of the exchange formula contained in the proposal.In a post on X, Dr al-Ansari also affirmed Qatar's support for the US president's call for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate the safe and rapid release of the hostages, achieving rapid results that stop the bloodshed of our Palestinian brothers in the Gaza Strip.He added that Qatar confirms that it has begun working with its mediation partners in Egypt, in co-ordination with the US, to complete discussions on the plan to ensure an end to the war.

Qatar has vehemently condemned the attack that targeted a mosque in El Fasher city in Sudan, which resulted in fatalities and injuries.In a statement Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs considered the bombing a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, stressing Qatar's rejection of attacks on places of worship and the terrorising of civilians.The ministry reiterated Qatar's unwavering position in rejecting violence, terrorism, and criminal acts, regardless of motives or reasons.It extended Qatar's condolences to the families of the victims, and to the government and people of Sudan, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.