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The State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), participated in the 30th Meeting of the GCC Ministerial Committee for Post and Telecommunications, held in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Qatar's delegation was led by His Excellency the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali al-Mannai, alongside ministers responsible for the postal and telecommunications sectors across GCC member states.The meeting reviewed and approved the agenda items and recommendations submitted by the 32nd Meeting of the GCC Committee of Undersecretaries of Post and Telecommunications Ministries, held on September 27, 2026. These covered telecommunications legislation and regulation, Internet-based applications and services, roaming, space-related matters, and postal services. The Committee also reviewed progress on the telecommunications sector action plan, sector performance indicators, and recent developments in international co-operation in related fields.In his address, HE the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali al-Mannai emphasised the importance of continued co-ordination and co-operation among GCC member states in the postal and telecommunications sectors, particularly as rapid technological advances create new demands for regulatory frameworks, infrastructure, and service delivery. He also highlighted the value of sharing regional expertise and advancing joint initiatives to strengthen GCC integration and improve the quality of services provided to users.On the sidelines of the ministerial meeting, HE Mohammed bin Ali al-Mannai held a bilateral meeting with Minister of Communications and Information Technology of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Engineer Abdullah Alswaha. The meeting reflected ongoing efforts to strengthen co-ordination between the two countries, expand bilateral co-operation in communications and information technology, and advance areas of mutual interest.Qatar's participation reflects its commitment to strengthening GCC co-operation in the postal and telecommunications sectors, exchanging expertise and best practices, and co-ordinating regional positions in regional and international forums. These efforts aim to support the continued development of both sectors and advance the shared interests of GCC member states. 

The Arab Postal Regulation Forum 2026 kicked off Sunday in Doha under the theme Postal Sector Reform in the Arab Region: Enabling Innovation, Competition and Sustainable Digital Trade.The two-day forum, the first of its kind in the Arab region, is hosted by the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) in co-operation with the Universal Postal Union (UPU) Regional Office for the Arab Region in Doha.The forum provides a platform for dialogue and exchange of regulatory experiences and practices, contributing to enhanced regional co-operation and supporting efforts to develop the postal sector across the Arab region in line with international best practices and UPU standards.**media[494086]**"Qatar is proud to host the first edition of the Arab Postal Regulation Forum, reflecting its commitment to strengthening Arab co-operation and developing frameworks for co-operation among postal regulators and policymakers,” said CRA president Eng. Ahmad bin Abdulla al-Muslemani.“The forum comes at a time when the sector is undergoing significant transformations driven by rapid technological developments and changing market and consumer needs,” he said. “This requires the adoption of more flexible and efficient regulatory frameworks that keep pace with innovation, foster competition, and strengthen trust in postal services.”“We look forward to the forum’s work resulting in the ‘Doha Recommendations’, serving as a shared Arab reference that supports the development of postal regulation, enhances the sector’s readiness to keep pace with rapid technological and economic transformations, and reaffirms our collective commitment to building a more efficient, innovative and sustainable postal sector,” the official said. Sheikha Noor bint Hassan al-Thani, manager of the UPU Regional Office for the Arab Region in Doha, said: "The Arab Postal Regulation Forum provides an important opportunity to bring together policymakers and regulators from across the Arab region to exchange expertise and discuss the shared priorities and challenges facing the postal sector.”Over the two days, the forum will feature discussions on key regulatory issues facing the postal sector, including licensing and market access, competition in digital postal markets, consumer rights and quality of service, complaints handling, transparency, data protection and privacy.The forum will also discuss the future of universal postal service, including accessibility, affordability, digital inclusion and sustainable financing models.Held within the framework of the UPU regional project on postal policy and regulation in the Arab region (2026-29), the Forum is expected to conclude with the "Doha Recommendations”, which are intended to identify priority actions at the regional level, strengthen future co-operation, and support the development of postal regulatory frameworks across the region. 

Qatar Post has taken a decisive step in its digital transformation strategy by partnering with India Post and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) to launch a new remittance service, enabling near real-time transfers from Doha to India. The initiative, unveiled during celebrations of India’s 80th Independence Day in Qatar yesterday, is expected to reshape the remittance market by offering institutional trust and competitive value to thousands of Indian workers and their families, according to Sandeep Kumar, chargé d'affaires of the Indian embassy in Doha.Addressing key dignitaries and officials during the India Utsav 2026 celebrations at LuLu Hypermarket Al Gharrafa, Kumar explained that the service enables customers in Qatar to send money transfers to beneficiaries in India via the ‘PosTransfer’ service powered by the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Kumar further pointed out that the service integrates the UPI with the trusted networks of both postal systems, noting that customers can remit between QR10 and QR4,000 at a nominal fee, with funds credited almost instantly to UPI linked accounts in India.Kumar noted that with more than 800,000 Indians residing in Qatar, establishing a credible remittance channel “makes strong commercial sense.” He continued to explain that while other exchange systems exist, the postal partnership adds institutional reliability, particularly for low income workers who depend on secure and transparent transfers.He emphasised that credibility and reliability are the strongest features of the mechanism. For workers in the Industrial Area who may lack access to mobile banking, the ability to transact in cash or card at a Qatar Post branch provides a secure alternative, he stated.According to Kumar, the system is fully integrated with UPI IDs, ensuring recipients in India receive SMS notifications without needing to visit a post office.Kumar also pointed out that exchange rates are managed transparently by state institutions, ensuring competitive value for senders and recipients alike. He described the initiative as a welcome step that reflects the strength of bilateral ties and a shared commitment to financial inclusion.He noted that the launch of the new initiative on India’s Independence Day added symbolic weight to the occasion, reinforcing the role of financial services in deepening economic and social connections between Qatar and India.Mohammed Zayed and Shenfeer Kalliyath of Qatar Post said the partnership strengthens the institution’s digital transformation strategy while addressing the needs of the large Indian community in Qatar. Kalliyath highlighted that India Post’s extensive nationwide network adds value, particularly for workers from lower income backgrounds and remote regions. Zayed added that he will propose branch expansion in the Industrial Area to ensure accessibility for resident workers and communities that rely heavily on remittances.State-run Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported that the launch of the service comes within the framework of Qatar Post's efforts to develop its service system and expand the scope of financial solutions it offers, keeping pace with customer needs and the rapid developments witnessed in the postal and financial services sector.“Furthermore, the cooperation with India Post and UPU reflects the importance of international partnerships in developing postal and financial services and expanding their scope. “This falls under Qatar Post's strategy to leverage global expertise and postal networks to provide practical and reliable solutions that serve customers, strengthen the ties between Qatar and India, and facilitate money transfers for Indian expatriates residing in the country,” QNA added.

Qatar participated in the 29th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Communications and Information, held in Cairo Thursday. The Qatari delegation to the session was headed by Assistant Undersecretary for Infrastructure and Operations Affairs at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Sami Mohammed al-Shammari.In statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the sidelines of the meeting, al-Shammari said that Qatar's participation aims to strengthen partnerships and expand joint Arab co-operation in the fields of communications and information technology. He noted that the rapid acceleration in information and communications technology and artificial intelligence necessitates the unification of efforts and visions related to ICT and its fast-evolving landscape.He added that Qatar has achieved significant advances in this sector in recent years, expressing Qatar's aspiration to share its expertise and partnerships developed during the past period with other Arab countries. He also emphasized that information technology requires regional and global alignment, explaining that coordination will begin at the Arab level as a step toward unifying Arab positions in regional forums.For his part, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Economic Affairs Sector at the League of Arab States, Ambassador Dr Ali bin Ibrahim al-Malki, stated in similar remarks to QNA that the meeting addressed several issues related to communications technology, information technology, and postal services. Among the most notable outcomes, he said, was the approval of the establishment of a Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies as a permanent committee under the Council of Arab Ministers of Communications, in addition to the adoption of the Arab Ethical Charter for Artificial Intelligence, which serves as a guiding and advisory framework for Arab states.He noted that the session also discussed a range of key issues and challenges facing the communications sector in general, reviewed achievements made during the previous period, and examined other matters related to communications technology and postal services. He highlighted that one of the most significant achievements was granting the State of Palestine full membership in the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and raising the Palestinian flag at the Union for the first time. 

The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) participated in the 48th meeting of the Arab Permanent Postal Committee (APPC), which took place at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States in Cairo.The meeting brought together postal administrations from across the Arab region to discuss regulatory, technical and strategic developments shaping the future of the postal sector.The CRA delegation attended the committee’s sessions and took part in the series of specialised technical meetings that preceded it. During the meeting, the delegation participated actively in the discussions of the Arab Permanent Postal Committee and its specialised working groups. These included the Conferences and International Co-operation Working Group, the Postal Remuneration Working Group, the Supply Chain Working Group, the Services and Products Working Group, the Financial Services Working Group, and the Regulation and Universal Postal Service Working Group. Qatar also joined a special committee, formed during the meeting, aimed at restructuring the working groups in line with the Dubai Postal Strategy 2026-2029.CRA's participation reinforces Qatar’s active role in shaping regional postal policy and supporting initiatives that improve service quality, enhance regulatory effectiveness, and encourage sector-wide development. The meeting offered an important platform for strengthening co-operation among Arab postal administrations and co-ordinating common positions ahead of major international postal events.  

The Universal Postal Union (UPU) Regional Workshop on Operational Efficiency and E-Commerce Development (ORE3) was convened in Doha.The event was hosted by the UPU Regional Office in collaboration with the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) and Qatar Postal Services Company (Q-Post), as part of the plan to execute the ORE Project, as listed in the UPU Regional Development Plan 2022-25.The workshop positioned itself as a platform for reinforcing regional co-operation and sharing expertise in the areas of readiness for e‑commerce, postal innovation, and risk management mechanisms, with broader participation from representatives of postal sectors in the Arab nations.It discussed the breakthroughs made in executing the ORE Project, alongside novel methods to optimise operational and postal risk management mechanisms in national postal enterprises.The workshop was structured around two key themes, representing the fostering of capabilities among relevant operators in effectively supporting e‑commerce systems and advancing robust risk management frameworks that ensure business continuity and to provide reliable postal services capable of addressing challenges.Advanced technical topics were also addressed, including assessing the impact of ORE on postal service performance, integrating digital and financial systems to facilitate cross‑border operations, and improving monitoring and evaluation mechanisms using UPU tools such as the Global Monitoring System and the Integrated Quality of Service Reporting System.In addition, the workshop, held ahead of the upcoming UPU strategy cycle (2026-2029), is considered a concluding step in the ORE Project implemented by UPU to support member countries in advancing their operational and digital infrastructure and keeping up with rapid transformations in the e‑commerce sector.The project was laser-focused on improving operational efficiency in postal supply chains, streamlining customs clearance, and reinforcing collaboration between postal, customs, and logistical entities to ensure the provision of prompt, secure, and reliable services.The final workshop constituted a springboard for a new project, during which the outcomes achieved throughout its implementation were reviewed, in addition to the lessons learned, pending the setup of a new regional action plan for the upcoming cycle.This would contribute to the enhancement of postal and digital integration and support the pivotal role of the postal sector in developing e‑commerce and the digital economy in the Arab region.

Qatar Post has received three prestigious international awards from the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the EMS Cooperative during the 28th Universal Postal Congress, currently taking place in Dubai, in the presence of senior officials and experts from the global postal sector.Qatar Post was awarded the "Gold Level in Performance" in recognition of its excellence in delivering international EMS services, as well as the "Customer Care Award" for outstanding performance in supporting customers across the global EMS network.The Gold Level is granted only to operators who meet the highest performance indicators and adhere to the strict technical standards set by the EMS Cooperative. The Customer Care Award was based on the efficient use of the UPU's i-Care system, with high responsiveness and quality handling of EMS inquiries.Additionally, Qatar Post received the "2025 Postal Security Group's Chairman's Award ", presented by the Universal Postal Union, in recognition of its outstanding efforts and leadership in developing postal security policies and implementing global best practices.These combined awards reflect Qatar Post's continued commitment to enhancing the quality of postal services, achieving sustainability, and advancing operational security both locally and internationally. They are part of a broader strategic vision aimed at reinforcing Qatar's position on the global postal map.