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His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Monday inaugurated the first edition of the Doha Legal Forum, held under the theme “Emerging Trends and Forward-Looking Insights.” The event, organised by the Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC), brings together legal and judicial leaders from around the world to explore innovation in law, governance, and dispute resolution.  The opening ceremony was attended by His Excellency Ibrahim bin Ali al-Mohannadi, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs; His Excellency Dr Hassan bin Lahdan al-Hassan al-Mohannadi, President of the Court of Cassation and President of the Supreme Judicial Council; Their Excellencies the Ministers of Justice participating in the forum; as well as senior judges, policymakers, and legal scholars. **media[409307]**Over the course of two days, the Doha Legal Forum 2026 will host around 40 speakers representing 13 countries, with a series of plenary sessions and three specialised roundtable discussions.  The agenda covers key issues shaping the future of law, including digital transformation, international arbitration, cross-border trade, the energy sector, and public-private partnership contracts.  Speaking at the opening session, HE Ibrahim bin Ali al-Mohannadi said Qatar had long recognised that sustainable investment depends on a robust and transparent legal system. He noted that the National Initiative for the Development of Justice Systems, launched in 2016, had modernised Qatar’s legal infrastructure through reforms in legislation, judiciary efficiency, and dispute resolution.  The minister explained that updated investment and company laws, improved efficiency in judicial services, and digital transformation had collectively enhanced investor confidence and reduced administrative complexity. These reforms, he said, embody Qatar’s vision of legal innovation and institutional excellence.  Al-Mohannadi added that the Doha Legal Forum reflects Qatar’s commitment to specialised legal dialogue and knowledge exchange. Its discussions, he said, would help reinforce legal security, support sustainable investment, and underscore the central role of justice in economic growth and social progress.  Aligning with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy 2024–2030, the forum provides a platform for advancing international cooperation and promoting law as a bridge for prosperity and mutual confidence in an era of global transformation.

Over the past decade, His Excellency President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani has firmly established his country’s position as a global sporting power, demonstrating a model of successful sports governance marked by achievements that combine ambition and excellence.This journey, rich in unprecedented organizational and Olympic successes, stands as a strong qualification for His Excellency to assume the leadership of the Olympic Council of Asia, he is set to officially be elected by acclamation the day after tomorrow (Monday) at the General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia in the Uzbek capital Tashkent, given he is the sole candidate.During his tenure as President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Doha not only achieved its best-ever results in Olympic history at the Tokyo 2020 Games, but also transformed into a global capital for major sporting events. This was underscored by Qatar securing the hosting rights for the 2030 Asian Games, reflecting the high level of confidence in Qatar’s infrastructure and its forward-looking vision.His Excellency’s experience as First Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), along with his continued success in developing sports cadres through the Qatar Olympic Academy, outlines the profile of a leader equipped with the vision and tools necessary to take Asian sport to new horizons, supported by broad regional consensus looking toward distinctive Qatari leadership.HE Sheikh Joaan’s tenure represents one of the most transformative periods in the history of the Qatar Olympic Committee. Since assuming the presidency on May 7, 2015, he has become the driving force behind a new phase of development and professionalism, establishing a leadership approach aimed at achieving a qualitative leap in the country’s sports movement.Under his leadership, Qatari sport has experienced a golden era that extended beyond winning medals, drawing instead a roadmap that positioned Doha as the most prominent administrative and sporting engine in Asia and the world, while consolidating Qatar’s status as a global hub for hosting major sporting events and developing the sports sector in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.The achievements of the Qatar Olympic Committee over a decade under his leadership are rooted in a comprehensive vision aimed at building generations of athletes capable of strong international competition. Recent years have borne witness to a series of competitive and organizational successes confirming that Qatari sport is moving steadily toward global prominence.During his tenure, Qatari sport recorded its best Olympic participation in history, as Team Qatar delivered outstanding results at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, achieving a historic milestone by winning three medals for the first time: two gold medals by Mutaz Essa Barshim in the high jump and Fares Ibrahim in weightlifting, along with a bronze medal by the beach volleyball team.Throughout his leadership of the Qatar Olympic Committee, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani played a pivotal role in making Qatar a destination for world championships and a capital of sport, reinforcing the country’s international standing.Doha became a global hub for hosting major events overseen or supported by the Olympic Committee. At the international level, Qatar hosted major championships, including the Men’s Handball World Championship (2015), the World Boxing Championships (2015), the World Athletics Championships (2019), the ANOC World Beach Games (2019), the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the World Judo Championships (2023), the World Aquatics Championships (2024), and the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2027.At the continental and regional levels, Doha also hosted several major tournaments, most notably the AFC Asian Cup (2023), the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar (2021), the AFC U-23 Asian Cup (2024), the First Gulf Youth Games (2024), and the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar (2025). The Qatar Olympic Committee oversees numerous world-class championships and series included in the annual calendar, most notably the Diamond League in athletics, the Qatar ExxonMobil Open for men's tennis, the Qatar TotalEnergies Open for women's tennis, the Longines Global Champions Tour in equestrian sport (Al Shaqab), the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, and the MotoGP Qatar Grand Prix.During the tenure of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, Qatar secured the hosting rights for a number of major sporting events, further consolidating the country's standing on the international stage. Foremost among these is the 2030 Asian Games, for which His Excellency chaired the successful bid committee, bringing the Games to Doha for a second time after the 2006 edition, as well as the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, which Doha will host for the first time in the region and North Africa.The Olympic Committee's journey under His Excellency's leadership continues with a wide array of international, continental, and regional championships included in the 2026 calendar, which features 83 diverse events. Some of the most prominent highlights include hosting the World University Weightlifting Championships in September, the AFC U-18 Asian Cup for basketball also in September, and the T100 Triathlon World Championship Finals in December.His Excellency has contributed significantly to the success of many prominent and major sporting events, most notably the 2015 Men's Handball World Championship, the 2019 World Athletics Championships, the Doha 2024 World Aquatics Championships, and numerous rounds of international championships held annually in Doha.Since assuming office, His Excellency has focused on capacity building through intensive training and development programs implemented by the Qatar Olympic Academy, aimed at developing sports and administrative personnel, expanding access to sport, and achieving sporting excellence in line with Qatar's vision of becoming a global sports hub, with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and youth empowerment, among others.Under his leadership, the Qatar Olympic Committee launched its 2023-2030 strategy, which aims to ensure sporting excellence and build a new generation of champions through the Aspire Academy and national federations, while also promoting Olympic culture and emphasizing the role of sport in social development and building a sustainable relationship with the community.The achievements of the Qatar Olympic Committee during the tenure of HE Sheikh Joaan have extended beyond the field of play to encompass administrative and societal dimensions as well. His Excellency was elected First Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) for Asia in October 2022, reflecting international confidence in Qatari leadership. He has also received several awards, most notably being named Arab Sports Personality of the Year in 2021 in recognition of his contributions to advancing sport regionally and internationally.Today, His Excellency is preparing to lead the Olympic Council of Asia in the elections scheduled for Jan. 26, as the sole candidate, a step observers view as a natural culmination of his efforts in supporting the continental Olympic movement.The accumulated achievements affirm that the journey of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani within the Olympic Committee is not merely a record of accomplishments, but a story of a nation's ambition, one that believes sport is the shortest bridge to nation-building and connecting peoples. During his tenure, Qatari sport has witnessed a qualitative transformation, translating the unwavering support of the wise leadership into sustained success across all levels.  

Jassim Ibrahim al-Mansouri has been appointed to lead the Arab Weightlifting Federation’s Development Committee, marking a significant expansion of Qatari influence in the sport’s regional governance. The selection of al-Mansouri, who serves as the Secretary-General of the Qatar Weightlifting Federation (QWF), was finalized during high-level meetings in Doha this month. He will now concurrently chair the Development Committees for both the Arab and West Asian Weightlifting Federations for the 2025–2029 electoral term. Al-Mansouri is not the only Qatari official moving into a high-ranking regional role. Khalid Abdul Aziz Nabina, Assistant Secretary of the QWF, has been named Chairman of the Athletes' Committee for the Arab Weightlifting Federation. The appointments are part of a broader "administrative sweep" during the December 2025 election cycle in Doha, which also saw Mohammed bin Yousef al-Mana re-elected unopposed as President of the Arab Weightlifting Federation. Direct line to global decision-makingThis regional reshuffle significantly strengthens the link between Middle Eastern weightlifting and the global stage. Both al-Mansouri and Nabina already hold active seats on International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) panels: Al-Mansouri: Member of the IWF Innovation and Development Committee.Nabina: Member of the IWF Governance Committee. By securing the chairmanships of the Development and Athletes' committees, Qatar now holds direct oversight of the two most critical pillars of the sport’s regional growth: Technical Modernization: Al-Mansouri will lead efforts to upgrade training standards and infrastructure across 19 member nations. Athlete Welfare: Nabina will spearhead initiatives regarding athlete rights and representation, a key area of focus for the IWF as it looks toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Officials state these selections reflect a growing regional confidence in Qatar’s "administrative and technical expertise," moving the nation beyond its reputation as a world-class host and into a role as a primary architect of the sport's future. 

It’s been a record year for deals involving Japanese companies, with transaction volume approaching $350bn as December draws to a close. And next year is poised to be even busier.Corporate governance reforms aimed at improving shareholder returns are helping to transform Japan into a hive of activity — the days when it was seen as a slow market with an occasional megadeal thrown in are disappearing fast.“Dealmaking in Japan is incredibly busy,” said Chris Laskowski, head of Asia investment banking at Jefferies Financial Group Inc. “I spend a lot more time talking to our colleagues there now than any time before.”The ground is fertile, with conglomerates selling non-core assets and private equity firms hungry to deploy capital. Activism is also playing a stronger role — take Elliott Investment Management’s battle with none other than Toyota Motor Corp around a blockbuster plan to privatise Toyota Industries Corp.“Japan is going through a wave of M&A like we’ve not seen for a long time,” said Mayooran Elalingam, head of investment banking & capital markets in Asia Pacific at Deutsche Bank AG.Just this Friday, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc confirmed it will take a 20% stake in India’s Shriram Finance Ltd for about $4.4bn.Japan is one of Asia’s most mature markets and home to some of the biggest transactions, so mergers and acquisitions can translate into higher fees for dealmakers. No surprise, then, that global firms including Citigroup Inc, Goldman Sachs Group Inc and Jefferies are bulking up their teams.This year has been bookended by a takeover fight between global buyout firms KKR & Co and Bain Capital over software firm Fuji Soft Inc and now Carlyle Group Inc launching a takeover offer for Hogy Medical Co.“We’re likely to see many more take-privates in Japan,” said Rohit Chatterji, head of M&A in APAC at JPMorgan Chase & Co. They’ll include “listed affiliates that are deemed core to the parent, or of standalone companies where traded valuations are not reflective of intrinsic value.”One of the biggest deals involved Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp taking over NTT Data Group Corp for more than $16bn. Meanwhile, Nippon Steel Corp finally closed its acquisition of United States Steel Corp.There are still some challenges with transactions in Japan, according Ian Ho, a partner at law firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in Hong Kong.“Having deep business relationships and local talent are key,” said Ho, who is also co-head of the firm in Asia. “While the interest and opportunities are real, it may take some time for some of the newcomers to gain significant traction.”One headline deal casualty this year involved the Japanese operator of 7-Eleven stores. Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc ended up abandoning its $46bn bid after a roughly yearlong campaign, saying that Seven & i Holdings Co had refused meaningful engagement. The Japanese firm rejected that charge.Ultimately, though, 2025 is a big success story for Japan-related deals. Other multibillion-dollar cases include SoftBank Group Corp acquiring Ampere Computing from a consortium including Carlyle and Oracle Corp for $6.5bn, as well as a $5.8bn buyout of SCSK Corp by Sumitomo Corp. SoftBank has also been part of massive funding rounds for OpenAI and is eyeing more data centre deals.Financial sponsors focused on buyouts in the lower-to-mid tier have been prolific too, with investors allocating more capital to Japan, as well as markets such as India and South Korea.“While the deals may be smaller in value, they are generating solid returns,” said Adam Furber, also at Simpson Thacher as a partner and co-head of Asia.On dealmaking channels, a fruitful corridor is emerging between Japan and India, as Friday’s MUFJ-Shriram Finance deal shows. Another Japanese bank, Mizuho Financial Group Inc, also announced it is buying a controlling stake in KKR-backed investment bank Avendus Capital Pvt.Adding to the M&A pile leading into 2026, Taiyo Holdings Co is up for grabs, with KKR the frontrunner among private equity firms vying for the chemical manufacturer, people familiar with the matter said on Friday. 

Legal PerspectiveThe duties of the directors and officers in companies, are governed by the provisions of the company law, the articles and memorandum of association of the company and, moreover, the corporate governance rules. Herein, we mention that, the directors of the company and the officers are to be taken as agents of the company. However, always, the directors share with the officers the same fiduciary duties that an agent owes the principal. The recent trend, in the corporate transactions, has been to raise the standard of conduct required of directors and officers.There are fiduciary duties that the officers and the directors owe to their company including, the duty to act within one’s authority and within the powers of the company as mentioned in its activities. And, there is also the duty to act diligently and with due care in conducting the affairs of the company. Moreover, the duty is also act with loyalty and good faith for the benefit of the company.Directors and officers must act within the authority given to them by the company, by the law, the articles, and the related bylaws. The directors and or the officers may be liable to the company if it is damaged by an act exceeding their authority or if they act outside of the scope of the corporation’s authority.However, if they enter an “ultra vires” transaction, justifiably believing it to be within the scope of the company’s business, they are not held liable. Like any principal, a company may ratify an unauthorised act by its directors and officers or other agents. This may be done through a resolution of the board of directors or of the shareholders. It may also be implied from acceptance of benefits from the unauthorised act. Ratification, when it occurs, releases the directors or the officers from any liability to the company and binds the company as if the act originally had been authorised.The company, as a legal juristic person, can’t take actions by itself nor is it able to do such work. Simply, it is impossible. Therefore, this role is vested, by law, on the directors and officers of the company who step into the shoes of the company and take its role on its behalf.However, the law provides that, the directors and the officers shall perform their duties within the required parameters of the law, in addition, to the customary regular practices in the same field. Attention, professionalism and wisdom are all required from the directors and the officers in the company.Needless to say, that in case of any negligence or malpractice or fraudulent acts by any one, it will straight open the way for criminal and or civil litigation against the concerned. No doubt, all directors or officers in all companies, should excel in performing their duties to achieve best results for themselves, their companies and the whole society. This is what we are all looking for and anticipating from such honest and high calibre personnel. Dr AbdelGadir Warsama Ghalib is a corporate legal counsel. Email: [email protected]

Chinese Premier Li Qiang expressed support for the development and integration of East Asia, calling for greater openness and global governance during a Leaders' Meeting on East Asian cooperation in the Malaysian capital.Li urged all parties to adhere to openness and cooperation, and safeguard free trade and multilateralism.In his speech at the fifth Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Leaders' Meeting, Li noted that the current international economic and trade landscape is undergoing complex changes, with rising unilateralism and protectionism, posing significant risks to the region.He also called on all parties to cooperate more closely to jointly address challenges and work collectively to advance development.The Chinese Premier added that China will continue to support the centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and work with all parties to maintain the stability of the regional multilateral trading system.In turn, Malaysian Member of Parliament and member of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Yuneswaran Ramaraj said, "the RCEP has proven strong results in boosting intra-regional trade and foreign direct investment, even in a climate of global trade fragmentation."He noted the successful completion of negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area, which is set to integrate the digital economy, green transition, supply chain connectivity and production networks.He also urged continued commitment to resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, preserving free trade and the multilateral trading system, opposing all forms of protectionism, and steadily advancing regional economic integration.

Under the patronage of His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, the National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA) on Monday inaugurated the 4th Annual Cyber Governance and Assurance Conference, in the presence of several of Their Excellencies the ministers, senior officials, and representatives of government entities, private companies, and cybersecurity service providers. The two-day conference is held under the theme "Navigating the Cyber Horizon: Resilience through Preparedness and Innovation." During the opening, NCSA launched the National Cyber Crisis Management Framework and the National Institutional Framework for Cyber Crisis Management, aimed at enhancing the security and resilience of Qatar's cyber ecosystem. The frameworks are designed to manage cyber crises at the national level in coordination with relevant authorities, mitigate their impact, ensure rapid response and recovery, and guarantee the continuity of vital services. These initiatives reflect NCSA's commitment to implementing projects under the Third National Strategy and the National Cybersecurity Strategy 2024-2030. His Excellency NCSA President Eng. Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Farahid Al Malki said the conference provides a rich platform for exchanging expertise and exploring the latest global trends in specialized cybersecurity fields. His Excellency announced the signing of a Professorship Chair agreement between NCSA and Doha University of Science and Technology (UDST), aimed at promoting knowledge transfer, advancing education and research, and adopting best practices in cybersecurity, particularly in protecting critical technological infrastructure and operational technology. HE Al Malki also announced NCSA's accession to the Security Compliance Institute of the International Society for Automation (ISA), which will strengthen international cooperation in the field of cybersecurity. He stressed that the Agency recognized early on that achieving strategic objectives depends on capacity building, developing national competencies, and empowering them with specialized training and knowledge tools. This, he said, ensures the sustainability of Qatar's cybersecurity system and enhances its readiness to confront emerging threats. His Excellency emphasized that analyzing challenges and opportunities, and anticipating the future of cyberspace, requires building national capabilities that enhance resilience and stability in the digital environment, investing in innovation and training, and fostering strong partnerships between the public and private sectors. This, he added, ensures the protection of vital assets, reinforces confidence in technological infrastructure, and supports Qatar's leadership in a secure and reliable cyberspace. For her part, Eng. Dana Yousef Al Abdullah, Director of Policy Affairs at NCSA, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the cybersecurity landscape in Qatar, highlighting key current realities and future trends shaping the sector. Mohammed Murshid Al Mannai, Director of the Cyber Resilience, Risk, and Insurance Department, presented on the National Cyber Crisis Management Framework and the National Institutional Framework for Cyber Crisis Management, outlining their role in strengthening national readiness and resilience. During the conference, His Excellency the NCSA President honored several entities that obtained accreditation and compliance certificates for the National Information Assurance Standard. In addition, Duncan Hill, British Deputy Ambassador to Qatar, honored companies graduating from the CREST Development Program, which aims to accelerate the maturity of companies in delivering cybersecurity services. The conference also witnessed the signing of a Professorship Chair agreement in cybersecurity between NCSA and Doha University of Science and Technology (UDST). This strategic cooperation forms part of national efforts to promote scientific research and academic innovation, and to develop national competencies capable of addressing the growing challenges of cyberspace. The agreement includes the allocation of a Professorship Chair within UDST's College of Computing and Information Technology, sponsored by NCSA and managed by the university. The Professorship Chair will encompass teaching a cybersecurity course, supervising research projects, and delivering research seminars for industry partners and the wider community.The first day featured four panel sessions covering the institutional framework for cyber crisis management, certified technologies and supply chain advantages for enterprises, the cybersecurity "trilogy" of government, industry, and community partnerships, and compliance and assurance certifications for cloud computing.It also included three workshops on national strategy collaboration and open dialogue, adoption of the National Information Assurance Standard for cybersecurity officers in government agencies, and the AI-powered "Capture the Flag" challenge in partnership with Scale AI.On the second day, the National Cyber Security Agency, in cooperation with Qatar Development Bank, will launch the Cyber Prerequisites Program for SMEs. The initiative aims to support Qatari small and medium enterprises in enhancing their compliance with basic cybersecurity controls, tailored to the nature and scope of their operations. It forms part of NCSA's wider efforts to strengthen the cybersecurity capabilities of local businesses.The program will be accompanied by three panel sessions addressing the challenges and opportunities of the Cyber Prerequisites Program for SMEs, the intersection of artificial intelligence, industrial security, and privacy in the post-quantum era, with a focus on the role of policies and regulations, and the integration of the National Cyber Crisis Management Framework with the National Incident Management Framework.In addition, two technical presentations will be delivered on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) security and the use of artificial intelligence to enhance cyber resilience. A debate will also examine the integration of cybersecurity with information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT).The program will conclude with four specialized workshops covering a range of advanced cybersecurity topics.

The Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA) announced Wednesday the issuance of the Code of Governance for listed companies.In accordance with the Board of Directors Resolution No. (5) of 2025, all parties covered by this system are required to ensure compliance with its provisions within one year from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, QFMA stressed.This code addresses many topics, encompassing the duties and responsibilities of the Board of Directors, its composition and membership requirements, Board practices and conflicts of interest, Board committees, the senior executive management, the internal control system, the principles and policies for granting remuneration and incentives, communication between the Board and shareholders, disclosure of corporate governance, and companies in which the government is a stakeholder.A set of principles were observed in drafting the provisions of this Code, including transparency and clarity, justice and equality, and responsibility, oversight, and accountability.In conversation with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Director of the Governance and Disclosure Department at QFMA, Khalid Saif al-Sulaiti, emphasised that this new code is a crucial step in keeping up with the advancement of the capital market's regulatory framework to meet the highest international standards, and in a manner consistent with the characteristics of the Qatari financial market.The initiative aims to reinforce principles of transparency and integrity, while safeguarding shareholders' rights, thereby strengthening confidence in the Qatari capital market. The code replaces the previous framework issued in 2016, and includes substantive amendments, most notably raising the minimum number of board members for listed companies to seven, while setting a maximum limit of 11 members, al-Sulaiti highlighted.He evinced that code also sets out a clear and detailed mechanism for the nomination and election process and includes an annex explaining the procedures from the opening of nominations through the formation of the board and its committees, specifying the types of members, whether independent, non-independent, executive, or non-executive, as well as the mandatory committees that must be established.The code is based on international best practices and standards of governance, giving foremost importance to the principle of disclosure, particularly regarding shareholders' rights and equality among them, al-Sulaiti said.He further added that the code introduces disclosures on companies' adherence to sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and climate-related standards, requiring listed companies to publish periodic reports on these aspects, alongside disclosures of material news and financial statements.He commended the commitment of listed Qatari companies to governance standards, evincing that such adherence reflects their dedication to maintaining an exceptional standing both domestically and internationally, while enhancing confidence among clients and suppliers, affirming that the Qatari market today hosts a wide swath of best companies across various sectors globally.This new code obliges companies to disclose sustainability, climate, and corporate social responsibility reports. And QFMA will issue a guiding manual to assist companies in complying with these standards in accordance with international best practices, al-Sulaiti underlined.In connection with attracting foreign investors, he emphasised that the regulations issued play a pivotal role in enhancing investor confidence, pointing out that foreign investors typically assess the regulatory environment before entering any market.This assessment is facilitated by Qatari companies' disclosure of comprehensive annual reports, which include governance-related disclosures, he said.He indicated that Qatari companies are characterised by strengths, as many of them, especially in the industries, banks, and communications sectors, adhere to the highest standards of governance, making them the best on the regional and global stages.Given the rapid realignments in the global markets, this code has been put in place to keep abreast of the domestic and global evolutions, al-Sulaiti highlighted, anticipating that it would contribute to fostering transparency and investors' confidence, thereby adding significant value to the Qatari financial market.As set forth in this code, the rules and provisions of this code are derived from the recommendations put out by international institutions in connection with corporate governance, foremost of which are namely the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), and the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN.He noted that there are best regional and international practices added in this field. Thus, in accordance with the specifics of the Qatari financial market, each company is required to develop a policy, approved by the board, for disclosure and transparency commensurate with the relevant international principles, including those of OECD on corporate governance and ISSB, in a manner that serves the company, its stakeholders, and relevant authorities.Al-Sulaiti further noted that these practices are intended to bolster the level of governance practices and ensure compliance with disclosure requirements within the timeframes specified in the relevant legislation, including disclosure of financial reports and the annual sustainability report, which outlines the company’s contribution to environmental protection, social engagement, and corporate governance, in accordance with this system and the rules of the market in this regard.QFMA works to entrench the principles and values of corporate governance in accordance with the best international standards and practices, in a manner that contributes to optimising company performance, upholding the public interest, enhancing the efficiency of the financial markets, which would, at the end of the day, strengthen the legislative environment attractive to investment in Qatar, in addition to protecting investors’ rights and ensuring stability in financial market dealings, al-Sulaiti said.He highlighted that governance is a set of relationships between the firm's management, the board of directors, shareholders, and other stakeholders, outlining the mechanism through which goals are set, as well as the vehicles to achieve these goals, followed by monitoring the performance, as long as governance determines the powers, responsibilities, and the decision-making process.In addition, governance regulates the company's relationship with the peripheral atmosphere, as well as the community where the company conducts its activities. As such, the company becomes the guarantor of good and proper management, both for the sake of serving the interests of the company and all the aforementioned groups.At its core, corporate governance aims to ensure justice and equality among all stakeholders by guiding management in operations, risk management, organising interests, avoiding conflicts of interest, upholding transparency and disclosure, and contributing to sustainability. It also involves establishing the necessary departments, divisions, and committees, as well as internal mandates, policies, and approved procedures to guarantee the fulfilment of governance objectives.