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King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain has received the credentials of Nasser bin Abdullah al-Nassr as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to the Kingdom of Bahrain. The ambassador conveyed His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani's greetings and wishes of good health and happiness to the king, and the government and people of Bahrain enduring progress and prosperity. For his part, the Bahrain king entrusted the ambassador with his greetings to HH the Amir, wishing him good health and happiness and the State of Qatar continuous progress and growth.  

King Abdullah II ibn al-Hussein of Jordan met in Amman Sunday with His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani. HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs conveyed His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani's greetings to the Jordan king and His Highness's wishes of good health, happiness and enduring progress and prosperity for the brotherly people of Jordan.King of Jordan entrusted HE the PM with his greetings to HH the Amir, wishing His Highness good health and happiness and the people of Qatar further development and growth. During the meeting, they discussed ways to support and boost bilateral co-operation between the countries, as well as various matters of shared interest.  

President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam received the credentials of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Qatar to Singapore Abdulaziz bin Ahmed al-Malki al-Jehani.  The ambassador conveyed greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to the Singapore president, as well as HH the Amir's wishes of good health and happiness to the Singaporean president, and continued progress and prosperity to the government and people of Singapore.  President of Singapore conveyed his greetings to HH the Amir, wishing him good health and happiness, and Qatar continued progress and development. 

His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani stressed that Qatar is marking this year's anniversary of the founder, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, amid comprehensive achievements across all fields under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.The Prime Minister said the National Day slogan, "With You It Rises, From You It Awaits," underscores the country's confident steps toward the future, strengthened by the spirit of unity and belonging that binds the leadership, loyal citizens, and residents of Qatar. He noted that the slogan reflects the nation's expectation that all its people will contribute to sustaining Qatar's role as a leader in sustainable development, social welfare, and economic prosperity, while preserving the country's religious and national values, rooted in its Arab and Islamic heritage, and engaging creatively with global cultures and civilizations in the service of humanity.In remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the PM said that National Day is an enduring occasion to renew loyalty to the country's wise leadership, draw inspiration from the sacrifices and achievements of past generations in defending the nation, and work diligently to continue the path of progress, development and growth. He stressed that successive generations would remain faithful to the principles laid down by the founder, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, ensuring that Qatar remains an oasis of security, peace, prosperity and noble human values.He said Qatar continues its development journey and is consolidating its leadership across sectors with clear vision and firm resolve, noting that the national economy has maintained strong growth while state institutions continue to translate Qatar National Vision 2030 into tangible outcomes, thanks to the wise directives of His Highness the Amir, particularly in energy, infrastructure, education, health care, social welfare, economic diversification, human capital development and innovation.In this context,he emphasised that the state and its institutions are moving steadily toward achieving the goals of Qatar's Third National Development Strategy for 2024-2030, which was developed under His Highness the Amir's guidance to realise the country's strategic priorities for this phase.On Qatar's efforts to strengthen regional and international security and stability, the PM said the country, through its active partnership with the international community, is doing everything it can to promote peace and international security and to advance sustainable development for all humanity. He added the founder had championed dialogue and peace, and that Qatar has followed this inherited path, with mediation becoming a firmly established principle enshrined in the Constitution, rather than merely a political option.He added that, through its quiet diplomacy and firmly established global credibility, Qatar has become a model in efforts to resolve complex conflicts through dialogue and peaceful means, as well as to prevent them through preventive diplomacy. He pointed to Qatar's mediation aimed at ending the war in the Gaza Strip, its positive contribution to facilitating a peace agreement between the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and its broader mediation efforts extending from Latin America to Africa and Asia.He said that Qatar's approach to mediation, together with its hosting of major global events such as the Second World Summit for Social Development, the first formal meeting of the United Nations General Assembly to be held outside New York or Geneva, underscores the country's firm commitment to peace, international solidarity and multilateral cooperation, and reflects its standing as a strategic partner of the United Nations. He added that these efforts have strengthened Qatar's global stature and its active role at both the regional and international levels.He also noted that Qatar's official bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games highlights the country's advanced position on the international sports stage and its organisational readiness, demonstrated by its widely praised hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.The PM noted that Qatar's international distinction also extends to its ranking at the top among Middle East and North Africa countries in the 2025 Global Peace Index as well as its placement eighth worldwide and first in the Arab world in the category of the safest and most socially peaceful countries. He said that these comprehensive achievements drive us to give even more for the present and future of the beloved nation, under the banner of the wise leadership. 

The Shura Council has extended its warmest congratulations to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani, and the Qatari people and residents, on the occasion of Qatar National Day, observed annually on December 18.At the outset of its weekly session, held Monday in Tamim bin Hamad Hall at the Council's headquarters, under the chairmanship of His Excellency the Speaker Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanim, the Council affirmed that this year’s National Day slogan, "With You It Rises, and From You It Awaits," embodies the national vision that places human beings at the heart of development and reflects the pivotal role of youth in continuing the journey of building and progress. The Council wished the nation continued growth and prosperity, under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir.On another note, the Council commended the outcomes of the eighth meeting of the Qatari-Saudi Co-ordination Council, co-chaired by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, last Monday in Riyadh.The Council affirmed that the meeting's conclusions reflect a shared commitment to developing mechanisms for bilateral co-ordination and expanding areas of joint work in the political, security, defence, economic, investment, energy, technology, and development sectors.It noted that the high-speed electric rail link between the two countries is one of the key strategic initiatives to emerge from the meeting, given its role in facilitating the movement of people and goods, enhancing tourism and trade, and supporting economic integration, emphasising that this project, along with the signed agreements, constitutes a significant step in consolidating the strategic partnership between Qatar and the Saudi Arabia, fulfilling the aspirations of the two brotherly nations and supporting security, peace, and prosperity in the region.Following this, His Excellency Secretary-General of the Shura Council Nayef bin Mohammed al-Mahmoud read out the agenda and the Council approved the minutes of its previous session.During this week's session, the Shura Council hosted His Excellency Secretary-General of the National Planning Council Dr Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak al-Khalifa, to discuss a range of national strategic themes related to the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030, including its developments and updates.At the beginning of the session, HE al-Ghanim welcomed Dr Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa, praising the national planning methodology adopted by the State under the leadership of His Highness the Amir.He highlighted the comprehensive framework provided by the Third National Development Strategy, which aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, strengthens the paths of sustainable development, enhances government performance efficiency, and leads to the achievement of balanced economic and social development.His Excellency affirmed the Council's commitment to continuously monitoring the implementation phases of the National Strategy and supporting efforts aimed at developing policies and enhancing the efficiency of programmes to meet the aspirations of Qatari society.At the beginning of his presentation, the Secretary-General of the National Planning Council delivered a detailed briefing on the pillars of the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030, explaining that it was built on a comprehensive assessment of national challenges and an in-depth analysis of regional and global changes. He noted that the strategy is based on seven main national outcomes, including sustainable economic growth, fiscal sustainability, a future-ready workforce, a cohesive society, quality of life, environmental sustainability, and high-performing government institutions.He highlighted the importance of the the data ecosystem, stressing that the establishment of an integrated central database represents a national priority in implementation of the directives of His Highness the Amir.He explained that work is underway to standardise definitions, classify terminology, and enhance data maturity. This will support decision-making, reduce duplication, save time and effort, and strengthen the reliability of national and international indicators.He further noted that the strategy aims to promote sustainable economic growth by diversifying income sources, increasing productivity, developing an attractive investment environment, and enhancing the competitiveness of economic sectors, thereby contributing to economic stability and building a solid development foundation. He also underscored the importance of achieving fiscal sustainability through improving the efficiency of public spending, entrenching the principles of fiscal discipline, and developing innovative mechanisms to finance development programmes.On the human and social front, the Secretary-General of the National Planning Council emphasised enhancing the readiness of the workforce for the future through the development of national skills, empowerment of Qatari competencies, and modernisation of education and training policies in line with the needs of the future labour market.He also addressed efforts to strengthen social cohesion and improve quality of life through projects targeting health, services, and social welfare, while ensuring a safe and stable living environment for all members of society.Within the sustainability pillar, he reviewed efforts related to environmental sustainability, including the protection of natural resources, development of energy and water policies, enhancement of climate change adaptation, and support for innovation in environmental solutions.He explained that building distinguished government institutions depends on improving the governance and transparency system, developing government processes, and expanding the use of modern technology.With regard to the integrated national data ecosystem, he explained that it constitutes a fundamental pillar for planning and decision-making by unifying data sources, enhancing data quality, and improving data-sharing mechanisms among various government entities, thereby enabling accurate monitoring of national performance indicators.He also addressed developments related to population policy, including managing population growth, achieving a balanced demographic structure, and meeting the country's future development needs.Dr Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa, further discussed the important role of innovation and digital transformation in accelerating the implementation of government programmes, improving service efficiency, and enhancing the country's readiness for rapid global changes.As for the future outlook, he explained that the strategy relies on future forecasting models to ensure the country's ability to address changes and guide policies towards the best possible outcomes.He also pointed out that the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms adopted by the strategy rely on precise performance indicators and periodic reviews, allowing for flexibility in adjustment and improvement, and supporting transparency and accountability through the active participation of government entities and civil society. He highlighted an e-platform launched in this context to monitor the project lifecycle, collection of data, and to prepare periodic reports, including quarterly and annual reports. Furthermore, the platform utilises artificial intelligence applications in performance analysis and measuring the economic, social, and environmental impact of initiatives.Members of the Council, in their interventions, expressed their appreciation for the detailed presentation delivered by the Secretary-General of the National Planning Council, underscoring the importance of aligning the strategy’s programmes with the real needs of the community.The Council members also stressed the importance of strengthening institutional integration among government entities, unifying the data system, accelerating digital transformation, ensuring that development policies are aligned with community needs, and measuring the actual impact of projects and initiatives. They emphasised the necessity of enhancing implementation efficiency, strengthening governance, and expanding community participation.The discussions also focused on population policy issues, preserving national identity, developing government services, improving labour market efficiency, and ensuring a balance between economic and social development. They further addressed the need to enhance the capacity of executive entities to implement initiatives within specified timelines and to achieve integration among government sectors to avoid overlapping roles and improve spending efficiency.Council members emphasised the importance of ensuring that the strategy takes into account rapid future changes, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence and modern technologies, and the resulting need to develop national skills and create new job opportunities.Members of the Shura Council called for strengthening governance and transparency in project implementation, ensuring the publication of periodic progress reports, and emphasising the need to involve the private sector and civil society in the design and implementation phases of initiatives, recognising them as key partners in economic and social development, thus contributing to more effective and sustainable outcomes.At the conclusion, Dr Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa, expressed his appreciation for the observations raised by Their Excellencies the Council members, affirming that all views and proposals would be taken into consideration within the follow-up processes and updates related to the Third National Development Strategy.HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanim and the esteemed members, in turn, expressed their sincere thanks to HE the Secretary-General of the National Planning Council for the comprehensive presentation and detailed responses, affirming their keenness to support national efforts aimed at implementing the strategy and achieving its objectives.Under another item on the session’s agenda, HE Al Ghanim briefed the Council on the referral of a draft law amending certain provisions of Law No. (25) of 2018 on Excise Tax to the Economic and the Financial Affairs Committee for review, in accordance with Article (114) of the Council's Rules of Procedure.  

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam met with His Excellency Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi. During the meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital and largest city of Brunei, HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs conveyed the greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, to the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, along with His Highness's wishes for the Sultan of Brunei's continued health and happiness, and for the government and people of Brunei Darussalam continued progress and prosperity.For his part, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah entrusted HE the Minister to convey his greetings to His Highness the Amir, wishing him continued health and happiness, and the State of Qatar continued progress, development, and prosperity. Discussion during the meeting focused on the two countries' bilateral relations and ways to strengthen and develop them, in addition to a host of topics of mutual interest.

The ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) conference sessions officially began Tuesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under the theme "The Key to Prosperity."In his opening remarks, Governor of the Public Investment Fund, Chairman of Saudi Aramco Board, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the FII Institute Yasir Al-Rumayyan hailed the conference as the world's preeminent gathering for those with the vision to translate ideas and investments into tangible global impact."Deals worth more than $250 billion have been concluded through this platform since the conference's inception less than a decade ago," he stated. "Together, we have come a long way, but this year we must take our impact to even greater heights."He stressed the gravity of the moment, noting that the collective power of capital represented by the decision-makers present "imposes a great responsibility on us, and at the same time, gives us a greater opportunity to shape the future of the global economy. We must assume this responsibility and seize this opportunity without delay."He pointed out that investors and companies now face a new economic reality and swift technological transformations. The old models that propelled us to this stage, he argued, can no longer keep pace. "Governments cannot correct the course alone, and the private sector cannot bear the burden alone," he said. "The solution lies in the combined efforts of governments and the private sector as true partners. We need a new model and global cooperation that keeps pace with a new era of shared prosperity."Al-Rumayyan emphasized that FII is the ideal platform to unite world leaders, investors, and decision-makers from diverse sectors. He cited that the global GDP has surpassed $111 trillion and is expected to grow by $2.8% this year. However, he highlighted a critical disconnect revealed in this year's FII annual priorities report. While 66% of people feel positive about their lives, only 37% are optimistic about the world's future, and 69% worry about job loss due to foreign competition, he said. "This gap between individual hope and collective doubt represents a warning," he cautioned.He proposed that technology could help bridge this divide, provided it is accessible to all. Yet, he noted, three out of four people fear that artificial intelligence will widen the educational gap between societies with educational opportunities and those without. "We cannot allow this to happen. We must confront the inequalities that have hindered progress," he asserted, noting that in 2025, nearly 10% of the world's population-approximately 808 million people-will live in extreme poverty. "With every challenge comes an opportunity to find solutions that serve all of humanity," he concluded.