Browsing: Album
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani held talks on Wednesday with President of the Syrian Arab Republic Ahmed Al Sharaa, focusing on regional and international developments.The talks, held at the Amiri Diwan, started with HH the Amir welcoming the president and his accompanying delegation, expressing hope that the visit would strengthen cooperation and expand ties between the two countries across various sectors. President Al Sharaa thanked HH the Amir for the warm reception and hospitality, reaffirming Syria’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations in a way that serves the shared interests of both nations and their peoples.The Syrian president also expressed solidarity with the State of Qatar following Iranian attacks targeting the country and other states in the region, voicing support for measures taken by Doha to safeguard its sovereignty, security and citizens.HH the Amir expressed appreciation for Syria’s stance, commending the continued cooperation between the two sides.Both leaders underscored their commitment to supporting regional security and stability, while discussing bilateral relations and ways to further develop them.The meeting was attended by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, HE Chief of the Amiri Diwan Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi, and HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi, as well as a number of Their Excellencies senior officials.Also in attendance were Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Al Shaibani, along with a number of Their Excellencies senior officials.HH the Amir and the Syrian president held a separate bilateral session to exchange views on key issues of mutual interest, followed by an official luncheon hosted in honor of the visiting delegation. Source link
HE Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah affirmed that workers across the ministry's various sectors represent the backbone of Qatar's municipal sector, praising their efforts and vital role in serving the community. Marking International Workers' Day, observed annually on May 1, His Excellency noted that workers have consistently demonstrated high levels of efficiency and commitment under various conditions and challenges, with their continued contributions playing a tangible role in supporting comprehensive development, enhancing municipal services, and improving overall performance across sectors. HE the Minister of Municipality expressed his sincere appreciation to all workers, commending their daily efforts across the ministry's sectors and municipalities, which directly contribute to maintaining quality of life and promoting sustainability in Qatar. For his part, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Services Affairs Eng. Abdullah Ahmed Al Karani, said during the ceremony that workers are the true foundation of the ministry's operations, with their daily efforts reflected in city cleanliness, maintenance of facilities, and continuous improvement of service delivery. He added that the ministry remains committed to providing a safe and supportive working environment that ensures workers' well-being and enhances their performance, based on its belief that workforce stability is key to maintaining quality and service continuity. The ceremony included honoring several workers from various municipalities and departments in recognition of their outstanding contributions. The event also featured a video expressing appreciation for the ministry's workforce, along with artistic, entertainment, and interactive segments involving employee participation. Source link
The Turkish Ambassador to Doha Dr Mustafa Goksu The recent visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to Doha carries exceptional significance, as it comes at a highly sensitive regional time characterised by increasing challenges and critical developments, according to Turkish ambassador Dr Mustafa Goksu. The envoy said the visit witnessed high-level diplomatic engagement, as Fidan was received by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. He also held an official, expanded round of talks with HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as an important meeting with HE Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan al-Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs. Dr Goksu noted that the significance of the visit lies in conveying a firm message warning against the risks of an expanding conflict and reaffirming the mutual support for constructive mediation efforts aimed at de-escalation. He stressed the commitment of both Ankara and Doha to safeguarding regional stability and preventing the resumption of military operations, given their catastrophic repercussions for international peace and security and the global economy. The envoy also pointed to the full convergence of views between the two countries, emphasising that the statements made by Fidan — in which he underlined that Israeli expansionism represents “the primary problem” and the main threat to regional stability and security — reflect a deeply rooted and shared strategic position between Ankara and Doha. He added that the expansionist and aggressive policies pursued in Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank, and Syria have claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people and triggered waves of forced displacement that have turned millions of rightful inhabitants into refugees facing severe humanitarian conditions. Accordingly, Dr Goksu reiterated Turkiye’s full support for Qatar’s tireless efforts to defuse and resolve crises through diplomacy and effective mediation, noting that the two brotherly countries constitute an integrated pillar of stability and consistently support one another’s initiatives across international platforms. The envoy concluded his statement by affirming that these discussions reflect the strong political will of the leaderships of both countries to play an active and influential role in resolving regional crises, while embodying their mutual commitment to coordinating positions and enhancing joint co-operation. He stressed the steadfast position of both countries in supporting the resilience of the brotherly Palestinian people and adhering to the two-state solution as the sole strategic path toward achieving a just and lasting peace in the region. Related Story Source link
Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and COFIDES, Spain’s state-owned financial institution, announced an agreement to establish a joint EUR 300 million investment fund to invest in strategic projects across Spain, with a particular focus on financing the green transition, digital transformation and technological innovation.QIA said in a statement on Wednesday that the launch of this joint vehicle marks a significant milestone in the relationship between both institutions and in their commitment to foster sustainable economic development and innovation across Spain.The new fund, Ispania Growth Fund, aims to channel investment primarily into Spanish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in future-shaping industries, supporting their growth and helping to develop the next generation of national champions. The fund will be managed by a leading Spanish asset manager, Portobello Capital, and will primarily focus on high-impact, scalable investment opportunities that align with Spain’s broader economic transformation agenda.COFIDES’s contribution to the joint vehicle is made through the Co investment Fund (FOCO), a public investment fund managed by COFIDES whose aim is to attract international capital, through co-investment deals, to strategic sectors that are drivers for the future competitiveness of the Spanish economy.CEO of QIA, Mohammed Saif Al Sowaidi, said, “Our partnership with COFIDES seeks to support companies at the forefront of Spain’s economic transformation and is a testament of QIA’s strong belief in the strength of Spain’s economy. Thanks to this deeper and more diversified partnership, we will work closely with COFIDES to support the innovative, technology-driven sectors that will shape Spain’s economy for years to come.”For her part, Chair and CEO of COFIDES, Angela Perez, said, “This initiative deepens our already strong alliance with QIA and represents a major milestone in our co-investment strategy with leading international partners. It is also further proof of the success of FOCO, managed by COFIDES, as a tool for attracting international investors to contribute to scale up high-potential Spanish companies.”In turn, founding partner at Portobello Capital, Inigo Sanchez-Asiain, said, “We are proud to partner with QIA and COFIDES in launching Ispania Growth Fund,” noting that this initiative reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Spain’s economic transformation by supporting innovative and high-potential companies.”At Portobello Capital, we look forward to deploying our local expertise and investment platform to help scale businesses that are driving the green and digital transition and shaping the next generation of Spanish industry,” he added.The launch of the Ispania Growth Fund reflects QIA’s position as a long-term investor committed to supporting innovative companies that are equipping Spain’s economy through the digital and green transitions. The investments made through this fund will be instrumental in creating jobs, accelerating regional development, and contributing to the resilience of Spain’s SME sector, aligning closely to Spain’s national priorities.The term “Ispania” acts as a distinctive international reference to Spain, combining its historic European roots with a natural alignment to the Arabic pronunciation of the country (Isbania), thereby mirroring the Fund’s ambition to act as a cultural and investment bridge between Qatar and Spain through co-investments in fields of mutual interest. Source link
HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received on Monday a phone call from Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of the Sultanate of Oman.At the outset of the call, HH the Amir and Sultan Haitham exchanged greetings on the occasion of the approaching Eid al-Adha.They discussed the close fraternal relations between the two countries as well as key regional and international developments.In this regard, the Sultan of Oman commended HH the Amir’s role in the current crisis and his efforts to support dialogue and create conditions for reaching peaceful solutions.HH the Amir and the Sultan of Oman stressed the significance of reaching a solution as soon as possible in order to contribute to maintaining security and stability in the region. Source link
We live in a world where the lines between geopolitics and trade and security and finance are increasingly blurred. Reports that the US Department of War has established a critical minerals team made up of former bankers, commodity traders and financial wheeler-dealers underscores this point. This intriguing news story also highlights how the weaponisation of critical minerals and rare earth elements is now central to US-China great power competition. Beijing has a multi-decade head start over Washington in this race. Take the case of rare earths. In the 1980s, California was the epicentre of rare earth production and the US dominated the sector globally. During the 1990s, China captured market share by heavily subsidising the refining process that makes rare earths suitable for industrial production. The US and other western producers could no longer compete on cost or price and started to import their processed rare earth needs from China. As recently as 2024, the US only bought around $170mn of unprocessed rare earth elements. The rest came from companies inside the Chinese-controlled processing supply chain. This is the outcome of a long-term Chinese global strategy to dominate the entire mineral value chain. China has invested hundreds of billions of dollars, by some estimates up to $15bn annually, on this project and the results speak for themselves. Chinese state-owned companies run mines across Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia. China currently controls approxminatley 85% of the global rare earth refinining process. Chinese dominance of this sector first came to prominence with the rising importance of clean tech as part of the fourth energy transition. EV batteries need lithium, cobalt, and nickel; solar panels need copper, gallium and tellurium; offshore wind turbines require large amounts of manganese, nickel, and chromium. The rise of AI, cloud computing and data centres fuelled further concerns over Chinese dominace of these raw materials. Semi-conductors require 17 different critical minerals and rare earths. The power systems and cooling networks of data centres require copper, gallium and indium. This situation became even more intolerable once politicians realised that cutting-edge defense technology is also dependant on the China-dominated supply chain. The US Department of War has listed over 300 supply chain vulnerabilities in its weapons programs and platforms due to reliance on externally sourced raw materials. Night-vision equipment, radar systems, and precision-guided munitions all need rare earth elements. So do fighter-jets and submarines. Each F-35 figher, the most costly weapons-system in history, uses around 420 kilos of rare earth materials. This explains why, after years of negelect, reversing Chinese dominance of the critical mineral/rare earth supply chain now tops the US national security agenda. The issue can even claim bipartisan support across the American political divide. Democrats welcomed President Trump’s January 2025 Executive Order (14156) that declared the “lack of diversified critical minerals an imminent threat to prosperity and national security”. In response to this threat, the Trump Adminsitration has launched Project Vault to build up a massive strategic reseve of key critical minerals and rare earths. The Pentagon office of ex-bankers doing financial deals to secure mineral rights is only a very minor part of this project. The White House has also signed around 30 bilateral agreements with countries across the world to counter Chinese influence on the regional level. These deals have been with traditional US partners including Australia, Japan, the UK and the Phillipines. But they have also been with countries primarily of interest to the US because of their mineral resources. Loathe to provide humanitarian aid to the developing world, the Trump administration is instead offering high levels of development finance funding for countries in Africa and Latin America willing to partner on critical mineral projects. In other cases, the US has taken advantage of local conflicts to leverage critical mineral deals. Ukraine is home to over one hundred types of strategic minerals including Europe’s largest untapped lithium deposits and large amounts of titanium— a key component in defense tech. In 2025, the US signed a strategic minerals partnership with Ukraine, holding out the hope of protection and even security guarantees in return for long-term access to these precious resources. For its part, Ukraine attempted to leverage its minerals to bind the Trump administration to its side in its war with Russia. The Democratic Republic of Congo has taken a similar approach. It holds an estimated $24tn in mineral wealth, including the world’s largest cobalt reserves. It has offered the US preferential access to its resources to counterbalance Chinese influence and to gain American military assistance and political support in the contested east of the country. In a move uncharacteristic of the Trump administration more generally, it is also building a series of multilteral frameworks intended to challenge Chinese global dominance of minerals and related products. These include the Minerals Security Partnership made up of 14-members plus the EU, and the Pax Sillica Alliance which includes Qatar and the UAE among its 15 members. Here the US is copying China’s use of multilateralism to secure its critical mineral needs. For years, Beijing has taken advantage of frameworks like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to do mineral deals. The US also has plans to explore deep sea international waters, which are believed to hold vast reserves of critical minerals including nickel, copper, and cobalt. These plans pose significant technical and legal challenges. But they also risk opening up a new front of geopolitical tension with China and Russia, who are both also looking to exploit the maritime domain for these resources. It is too early to tell whether the US can close the gap with China on this vital issue. If Washington fails to do so, critical minerals and rare earth elements will play a major part in tilting the geopolitical balance of power in favour of Beijing in years to come. The writer is Professor of International Politics and Director of the Small States and Energy Studies Programs at Georgetown Univeristy in Qatar@RoryDavidMiller Source link
Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian defender Marquinhos carries the trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal FC at the Puskas Arena in Budapest yesterday. Defending…
Asian rice prices posted their biggest monthly jump in nearly two decades in May, and could rally further as weather risks and war-driven surges in energy and fertilizer costs threaten production.Thailand white rice, an Asian benchmark, rallied 20% in May, the most in a month in data going back to 2008. Rice futures on the Chicago Board of Trade also jumped 15% this month.Prices will continue to trend higher, said Bin Hui Ong, a commodities analyst at BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, which lifted its forecast for Chicago futures earlier this month. An expected El Nino event — which can bring hotter, drier weather to parts of Asia — presents further upside, she added.With fuel and fertilizer supplies still disrupted due to the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, farmers across import-reliant Asia are bracing for the high input costs to start weighing on rice production — a key cornerstone of the region’s economies. The crop is critical to the region’s food security and countries including Thailand, Vietnam and India are also major suppliers abroad.As planting for the main crop season gets underway in many parts, some farmers have been forced to skip or delay sowing the staple crop.Tran Van Be Bay, a 60-year-old farmer in the southern Vietnamese province of Vinh Long used to plant three crops a year. But as fertilizer prices surge, he plans to skip one round this time.“With costs rising and weather this hot, it’s not a good time to sow a new crop,” he said. “Applying more fertilizer not only costs more but also harms the plants.”Rice is known for being a fertilizer-intensive grain and the irrigation pumps used to flood fields often run on diesel.Prices of nitrogen fertilizers in Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines have surged about 40%-50% since the start of the war in February, according to the International Rice Research Institute. Though countries had enough reserves in the March-May period, shortages could emerge soon unless the fertilizer trade normalizes, said Alisher Mirzabaev, senior scientist for policy analysis and climate change at the institute.Any reductions in Asia’s output is likely to impact global supply. The Philippines has already warned that a strong El Nino could slash paddy rice production by as much as 700,000 tons or 3.5% of the annual production target.Still, price gains could be capped on the international markets thanks to ample rice stocks, particularly in major producer India, and relatively weak global demand, said Peter Clubb, market analyst at International Grains Council. Source link
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has launched a national awareness campaign highlighting the importance of hand hygiene and infection prevention and control (IPC) practices in reducing healthcare-associated infections and enhancing the safety of both patients and healthcare workers.The campaign featured a range of awareness activities, conducted both in person and virtually, across healthcare facilities in several foreign languages. Activities included field visits, distribution of educational materials on the importance of hand hygiene and infection prevention, as well as awareness messages displayed on digital screens, in patient and visitor waiting areas, and across social media platforms.As part of the campaign, MoPH also organized an interactive online educational webinar delivered by experts from the Ministry of Public Health and the World Health Organization (WHO). The webinar attracted the participation of more than 6,700 healthcare professionals from governmental, semi-governmental, and private healthcare facilities across the country. Discussions focused on strengthening hand hygiene practices, increasing compliance with health protocols, and reinforcing their critical role in improving patient safety.In parallel with regional efforts marking World Hand Hygiene Day, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean organized a virtual regional webinar entitled: “Hand Hygiene and Infection Prevention and Control During Crises and Conflicts in the Middle East: More Important Than Ever.” The event brought together leaders and experts from WHO and representatives from several countries, including the State of Qatar.During the webinar, Qatar was highlighted as a leading regional model in infection prevention and control systems, with the country’s experience showcased during a dedicated session. The Healthcare Quality Management team at MoPH emphasized that advancing surveillance systems contributes directly to improving the quality of healthcare and ensuring a safe environment for both patients and healthcare professionals.At the same time, healthcare facilities across the country organized a series of educational and awareness activities, including training sessions, creative competitions, and public awareness booths, in support of World Hand Hygiene Day 2026 and the World Health Organization’s ongoing efforts in this field.The Ministry of Public Health reaffirmed its continued commitment to strengthening infection prevention practices and advancing health awareness programs, contributing to enhanced quality and safety of healthcare services in the State of Qatar. The Ministry also called on all healthcare professionals and members of the community to continue prioritizing hand hygiene practices as shared public health responsibility. Source link
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) on Monday launched an update of commercial activities registered under the Unified Economic Guide for the Classification of Economic Activities in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.In a statement, the Ministry said the update aims to unify classifications, improve data quality, and enhance transparency in the business environment, without affecting the nature of activities or commercial registrations.The Ministry noted that the initiative seeks to align registered activities with the GCC Unified Economic Classification and develop a more accurate classification system that reflects regulatory requirements and economic developments. It also aims to streamline procedures, establish a unified reference framework for activities, and reduce overlap and duplication.According to the Ministry, the update targets business owners, existing companies, and relevant government entities, and will be implemented in three phases.The first phase, which begins on Monday, covers companies whose registered activities correspond directly to a specific activity within the Unified Economic Classification.The second phase will begin on June 15 and will include activities that correspond to more than one classification category.The third phase will start on June 30 and will cover mixed activities, including both commercial and industrial activities.The Ministry confirmed that the update process will be carried out automatically in accordance with the approved classification and will not require any action by business owners. It added that the update will not affect the nature of activities or commercial registrations. Source link