Bawat isang tao na naninirahan sa Qatar ay maaaring tumanggap ng hanggang sampu (10) bisita - kamag-anak man o kaibigan sa pamamagitan ng pagrehistro ng kanilang mga datus sa official residence platform. Ito ang naging pahayag ni Mr. Saeed Al Kuwari, ang Executive Director ng Hayya Platform. Ito ang naging pangunahing usapin sa press conference na ginanap noong May 26, sa Four Seasons Hotel sa harap ng mga lokal at international media personalities at satellite channels. Ayon pa kay Al Kuwari, ang bilang ng mga regitered users ng nasabing platform ay laging updated, at nakatanggap na ito ng 3,000 requests sa araw ng pagkakalunsad nito. Dagdag pa nya, ang presyo ng mga accommodations ay nasa $80 hanggang $180 depende sa lokasyon at uri nito.

Exactly 5,481 days after its momentous formal inception on the 25th of May 2007, the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE)— Qatar Chapter celebrated its 15th Founding Anniversary on Friday, May 27, 2022 at the Qatar Bowling Center in Doha, Qatar. The one-day event was attended by active chapter members together with their families and friends. Several sporting activities and indoor games were lined up that enlivened the atmosphere of the venue. It was a welcome respite for most of the participating Civil Engineers, a refreshing break after another week of toil in Qatar’s construction industry. Among the highlights of the event was an inspirational message from Labor Attaché Adam A. Musa congratulating PICE Qatar during the celebration. PICE Qatar Chapter Founding President Engr. Roy Baquiran and Current President Engr. Rolan Nevado also shared their encouraging insights and messages during the event. After the competitive yet friendly matches, the winning teams and players were awarded with individual medals as follows: Table Football: Champion: Fatima Nacario and Helario Amoguis 1st Runner Up: Loraine Radan and Jard Lee Cortez 2nd Runner Up: Aileen Buenaflor and Allen Nacario Jr. Table Tennis (Men): Champion: Aushford Acera 1st Runner Up: Allen Nacario 2nd Runner Up: Edilbert Baysa Table Tennis (Women): Champion: Fatima Nacario 1st Runner Up: Arlene Manaopanao 2nd Runner Up: Susana Nacario Darts (Men): Champion: Elvin Fajutagana 1st Runner Up: Allen Nacario Sr. 2nd Runner Up: Leo Manrique Darts (Women): Champion: Loraine Radan 1st Runner Up: Elenie Nicomedes 2nd Runner Up: Susana Nacario Billiards (Men): Champion: Jalil Pandita 1st Runner Up: Lester Militante 2nd Runner Up: Edilbert Baysa Billiards (Women): Champion: Elenie Nicomedes 1st Runner Up: Aileen Abejero 2nd Runner Up: Meliza Ortiguerra Chess: Champion: Rolly M. Patricio 1st Runner Up: Justin A. Tañafranca 2nd Runner Up: Ricardo T. Bognot The chapter also held several sporting events in the month leading up to the event and conducted its awarding ceremony during the Foundation Day celebration. The following are some of the winners: 11th Inter-Color Basketball League Champion: White Team 1st Runner Up: Red Team 2nd Runner Up: Grey Team 3rd Runner Up: Cyan Team Most Valuable Player: Holden Caballero 10th Presidents Cup – Basketball League Champion: Light Gray Warriors 1st Runner: Blue Green Cavaliers Most Valuable Player: Rolando Concepcion 11th Presidents Cup – Basketball League Champion: Blue Green Cavaliers 1st Runner: Light Grey Warriors Most Valuable Player: Jundee Mar Tejedo 1st Mythical Five, 2nd Mythical Five, Most Defensive Player, Sportsmanship Award and Best Coach were also given recognitions. Bowling: Champion: Team Kingpins (Team Captain: Elizalde Tañafranca) 1st Runner Up: Happy Rollers (Team Captain: Lester Militante) 2nd Runner Up: Rocket Strikers (Team Captain: Orlando Corpuz) Individual medals were given to High Average for Ladies and Men, High 3-games series for Ladies and Men, High game Ladies and Men, Rookie of Season award for non-Bowler, and special award for Bowling for-a-Cause perfect score. Lawn Tennis: Champion: Team Danilo Chan, Martson Edeza, James Karl Burce, Marvin Quicho, Christopher Amores, Hardie Reyes 1st Runner Up: Team Alfonso Betita, Johnson Sanchez, Androe Flores, Mariano Chan, Robert Coruna, Elvin Fajutagana Before closing the event, the ceremonial cutting of the Foundation Anniversary cake while hearing the crowd chant with happiness was one of the highpoints of the event. The fun-filled occasion was organized by the Committee on Sports, Leisure and Recreation under the Chairmanship of Sergeant-At-Arms, Engr. Victoriano Bago Jr. with the support from PRO Engr. Michelle Revillosa.

Doha. The Security and Safety Operations Committee of the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup participated in the Millipol Qatar 2022 Exhibition with a distinguished pavilion. The Committee is showcasing its latest preparations for securing major sports championships, especially as Qatar is approaching the hosting of the world's most prestigious championship. Capt. Ali Al Nema, head of the security and governance program, said the pavilion of the Committee showcases a range of security systems to be used in the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup, including an anti-drone system, an integrated system that monitors and deals with any suspected bodies of any drones. The pavilion also exhibits the Security Access System (SACS), which helps manage crowds during entry and exits to and from stadiums, as well as ensuring the validity and safety of tickets and fan cards, and detecting any fraud. In addition to this, the Security Committee’s pavilion exhibits the security system to control surveillance cameras at stadiums, their surroundings, fan areas, etc., which is linked to the National Command Center, and allows law enforcement agencies to take action in the event of any security threats, as the wing is known as the Security Surveillance System (ALO). The Visitors to the pavilion of the Security Committee are introduced to the Fan Card (Haya) system used during the 2021 FIFA Qatar Arab Cup, which will also be used during the World Cup, a process that contributes to the ease of procedures and access to stadiums, as well as ensuring enhanced security and safety measures, where visitors are informed of the steps required to obtain the fan card. Haya is also the system through which the tournament will be offered for fans from outside the country. The exhibition also showcases miniature models of the stadiums on which the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup matches are held, with a review of the latest security, safety and well-being.

Doha. The Security and Safety Operations Committee of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™️, signed today at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, on the sidelines of the 14th edition of the International Event for Homeland Security and Civil Defense, Milipol Qatar 2022, a partnership agreement with Smart Communications Co. to secure the World Cup facilities in accordance with advanced regulations. The agreement was signed by Maj. Gen. Eng. Abdul Aziz Al Ansari, Chairman of the Security and Safety Operations Committee of the FIFA Qatar 2022™️ World Cup, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Smart Communications Rania Abu Musleh.

Doha. Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) Qatar and Qabayan Radio sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on May 24, 2022, outlining collaboration for the benefit of each organization and the Filipino community in Qatar. The signing of the collaboration agreement was made between Engr. Rolan ‘Bongbong’ E. Nevado - the current President of PICE Qatar and Ms. Nhelie A. Rosopa - General Manager of Qabayan Radio, while officers and advisers of PICE and Qabayan management and broadcast team stood as witness to the signing. Driven by willingness and commitment, PICE Qatar and Qabayan Radio ensure of supporting each other within the tenets of each organization and toward mutual benefits of each party. PICE Qatar is one of the most active professional organizations in Qatar recognized by the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in the country. Meanwhile, Qabayan Radio is the only Filipino Radio station in Qatar.

Why should you boost your professional credentials? There are numerous reasons to improve your professional credentials. To begin with, having solid credentials increases your marketability. During difficult economic circumstances, you'll be more likely to be promoted, and receive a greater pay. In this time of pandemic, it is critical to enhance each other's credentials in order to empower one other's professions. For these reasons, the webinar titled "Boost Your Credentials" is both topical and important. Last April 16, 2022, the United Architects of the Philippines- Qatar Chapter (UAP QA) and the Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners- Qatar Chapter (PIEP-Q) have teamed up to inform their respective members about world- renown organizations that they can join in addition to their present ones to obtain additional credentials. This is the first time after the pandemic that these two amazing organizations join force for this beneficial activity. The program started with the invocation of Ar. Ferdinand Magpantay, UAP QA Director for Committee on External & Governmental Affairs. Ar. EnP RMP Marvin Tejada, UAP QA Chapter President, officially kicks off the activity by providing the event’s ground rules and call to order. Next were the preliminaries from both UAP QA and PIEP-Q that includes the hymns and code of ethics for each organizations. Ar. Janel Hipolito, UAP QA Vice President for Programs and Development, welcomes the attendees and speakers to this milestone event. Ar. Marlon Espinosa, UAP QA Auditor, introduces the first resource speaker of the event. It was no other than, International Associate Architect Megha Taneja of American Institute of Architects (AIA) Middle East who presented the background of AIA as the first credential to be discussed. While Ar. Leah Bianan, UAP QA Treasurer and an AIA International Associate herself, explained the AIA membership application process. It was followed by Question and Answer (Q&A) portion which was moderated by Ar. EnP Dennis Mota, PIEP-Q Director. Then Ar. Kathleen Osio, UAP QA Chapter Secretary introduced the next segment of the programme. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Gulf is another international organization to be showcased. Its resource speaker Ar. Cherylliz Anne Lago presented a video clip from RIBA Gulf in which she provided an overview and the membership application process. Another Q&A session caps this segment. Finally, Ar. Maria Michaela Pasiona, UAP QA Director for Committee on Internal Affairs introduced the last international organization to be showcased in which all professionals in Qatar were allowed to join. The background of Eastern Regional Organization for Planning and Human Settlements (EAROPH) was ably presented by EAROPH International Immediate Past Deputy President and UAP Past National President Ar. Edric Marco Florentino, fuap and EAROPH Secretariat Ms. Abby Crucillo. On the other hand, PIEP-Q Press Relations Officer and EAROPH member Ar. EnP Jeoffrey Milano discussed the membership application process and its benefits. Q&A session caps this last segment of the programme. The Philippine Professional Organization- Qatar (PPO-Q) Chairman Engr. Mark Abendan also graced the event and gave his impromptu inspirational message. Both UAP QA and PIEP-Q organization's members actively participated as well as with members of other professional organizations in Qatar belonging to PPO-Q. Despite the time difference, professionals which include architects, environmental planners, engineers etc. from the Philippines and Qatar attended. The jovial host Ar. Adrian Bolalin, UAP QA Committee member was also credited with the event's energy as the programme’s master of ceremonies. Special mention to Ar. EnP Vanessa Estabillo, PIEP-Q Director who collated event participants questions and comments and serving as a technical support to the event. In closing, Ar. Mark Philip Benin, UAP QA Director for Committee on Professional Practice provided his insights on the webinar to round off the interesting program. Finally, Ar. EnP Mary Grace P. Hermosa-Pineda, PIEP-Q Chapter President, underlined that this activity will help the members of different professional organizations strengthen their credentials and boost their career prospects in the future.

Binago ng Doha Metro and Lusail Tram ang oras ng operasyon nito upang tiyakin na mas mahaba ang oras ng serbisyo lalo na sa gabi. Ayon sa anunsiyo ng Qatar Rail, ang metro tram, metrolink, at metroexpress services ay bukas mula 2:00pm hanggang 1:00am tuwing Biyernes, samantalang sa ibang araw naman, ang mga ito ay bukas mula 6:00am hanggang 1:00am. Ang nasabing pagbabago sa oras ng operasyon ay magsisimula na bukas, April 17, 2022 hanggang May 5, 2022.

Apparel Group is excited to expand its footprint in Qatar, with the launch of 20 stores, including Charles & Keith, Beverly Hills Polo Club, Rituals, LC Waikiki, Birkenstock, Molten Chocolate & Café, Skechers, R&B, R&B Kids, BBZ, Hema, Crocs, Dune London, Levis, Aldo, Inglot, Aldo Accessories, Athlete’s Co and Calvin Klein Underwear. Tim Hortons is already operating at the new location. To continue pushing the boundaries of innovation, Apparel Group is opening the biggest LC Waikiki store in the GCC, spanning a total floor area of 28000 square feet. Additionally, the global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate will be opening a Rituals flagship store along with R&B Kids and Calvin Klein underwear stores for the first time in Qatar. Mrs. Sima Ganwani Ved, Founder & Chairwoman of Apparel Group said, “The retail landscape in Qatar has evolved significantly over the last few years, as customers become increasingly discerning and attentive to global shopping trends while staying true to their roots and culture. Continuing Apparel Group’s commitment to providing an elevated shopping experience to our loyal customers, we are proud to be partnering up with Place Vendôme and further expanding our strong retail footprint in the Qatar market. Our brands’ expansion with Place Vendôme is in line with our strategy of being responsive to consumer demand. Qatar continues to be a strategic market for us and we are proud to be part of the country’s growth”. Apparel Group offers an enhanced shopping experience, that brings a large variety of carefully selected international and regional labels to a very discerning audience. It is a shopping experience like no other. About Place Vendôme Place Vendôme is a multibillion Qatari Riyal mixed-use development in Qatar’s emerging Lusail City. Place Vendôme is a project of United Developers, a group of four Qatari investors who partnered to align their expertise in retail, real estate, construction, and contracting. United Developers envision Place Vendôme as a groundbreaking example of the entrepreneurship, vision, and energy of Qatari commitment to the nation’s development. The 1,150,000m² development will host two five-star luxury hotels, Le Royal Meridien and Palais Vendôme, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Le Royal Meridien Residences, a mall featuring up to 580 different retail outlets with an exclusively luxurious wing dedicated to top designer labels, and a central entertainment component showcasing constant attractions. The hotels and residences will be operated by Marriott International, which is set to deliver a luxurious and authentic experience that aligns with the Place Vendôme brand.

Simula sa Lunes (April 11) ay kailangan mo na ang ticket upang makasakay sa Metrolink. Ang ticket (QR Code) ay maaaring ma-download naman ng libre gamit ang Karwa Bus app. Kapag nadownload ito, magagamit naman ito sa lahat ng byahe ng metrolink. Paano ito ma-download? Mag install ng Karwa Bus app at mag sign-in. Bago sumakay sa metrolink bus ay magdownload ng e-ticket (piliin o pindutin ang 'Download an E-Ticket'. Piliin ang 'Metro Link QR Ticket' Matapos nito, lalabas ang iyong ticket sa iyong screen na golden QR Code. E scan ang ito sa ticket scanner o reader ng metrolink bus pagpasok o paglabas. Maaari mong ma-access ang iyong QR Code ticket sa swipeable home screen o kaya sa Card Management section ng iyong app.

LAHA’s Opening Ceremony was attended by influential community figures and leading businesswomen A special Ramadan edition that enables women to celebrate this special time of the year, bringing the latest in beauty, fashion, homewares, accessories and gifts A sophisticated event curated by Qatari-owned Design Creationz that has attracted 65 exhibiting partners providing local, regional and international design input Doha-Qatar, 27March 2022. LAHA Creating Memories – Ramadan 2022 exhibition opened with great fanfare, as leading Qatari businesswomen and VIPs inaugurated the exhibition at WESTIN Hotel & Spa Doha. A spectacular Opening Ceremony kickstarted the exhibition with a stunning fashion show from top creative designers after which prominent Qatari businesswomen inaugurated the event attended by VIPS and prominent industry figures. A welcome speech from the organizing company Design Creationz greeted all the guests and visitors to the exhibition and thanked them for their attendance and participation, before cutting a giant Ramadan-themed cake.. LAHA Creating Memories- Ramadan 2022 is a unique Ramadan exhibition for discerning women, showcasing the very best of international, regional and locally sourced design products to cater for a refined clientele. Guests will be able to browse the most sought-after pieces for their Ramadan décor, indulge in wish lists of gifts, snap up beautiful must-have accessories and take in the height of fashion looks for Ghabga nights, in relaxing luxurious surroundings. Exhibitors include Soha Ashi – KSA, Ghudfah -KSA, Amal Al Raisi – Oman, La Boutique Blanche – Qatar, Farha Design- UAE, Riwaya – Qatar, Shatha Essa – UAE, Khawla World – UAE, and Anaya Collection- Sri Lanka with many others from different markets bringing with them special pieces in the hottest new styles in fashion and accessories. Reflecting the latest trends in both local and global designer markets, LAHA Creating Memories -Ramadan 2022 exhibition is organised by Qatari-owned design event company, Design Creationz. Having built up a track record of 18 successful largescale high-quality exhibitions, Design Creationz has revolutionised the local fashion scene by creating a unique platform for local and international designer brands. The exhibition intends to highlight the traditions of the Holy Month and celebrate renown Qatari hospitality. Design Creationz’s spokesperson Esraa Abel, explained: “Our LAHA Creating Memories exhibition is a triumph for all in our industry be they local, regional or international brands. We are especially proud to have attracted a total of 65 exhibitors from different countries. LAHA also signals the revival of social gatherings after the pandemic.” She continued: “Through LAHA, we intend to provide a uniquely curated pre-Ramadan gathering, offering an excellent selection of stylish design products for Ramadan in a traditionally elegant environment with the finest attention to detail and impeccable personal service. The exhibition will extend the warmest of welcomes to visitors with refreshments served on arrival. Guests will experience our unmistakable touch as they explore cutting edge trends in fashion, homeware, accessories, gifts and more from carefully chosen brands.” LAHA aims to enable exhibiting partners to showcase their choicest products and services to a targeted niche market as well as being able to network with other fellow providers. Exhibiting partners will have access to an exclusive database of decision makers and a network of loyal and motivated customers to ensure a successful outcome. Guests will have the perfect opportunity to enjoy the social scene again in a safe, comfortable and luxurious ambience whilst enjoying the anticipation of Ramadan and discovering the latest emerging fashions in local, regional and international design markets. The exhibition is being held at WESTIN Hotel & Spa Doha from Saturday, 26 March 2022 to Wednesday, 30 March 2022.

Under the patronage of the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior March 28th, 2022. Doha, Qatar. Under the Patronage of His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, today officially inaugurated the third edition of the Build Your House Exhibition (BYH) 2022, along with Mr. Rawad Sleem Co-Founder and General Manager, NeXTfairs (Exhibition Organizer), and Mr. Abdul Aziz Bin Hattab Al Kaabi Vice Chairman of Al Hattab Holding Board of Directors. This ribbon cutting ceremony at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) was held in the presence of Ministers, Ambassadors, VIPs, dignitaries, industry experts and media representatives. Also in attendance of the inauguration of BYH Exhibition 2022 were: Mr. Abdelrahman Hisham Al-Suaidi, Acting Chief Executive of Qatar Development Bank; Mr. Ali Mohammed Al-Mohanndi, Export Promotion Head of Qatar Development Bank; Mr. Khalifa Al Rais, GCEO of Commercial Bank; His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al-Thani, President of Qatar Chamber; Mr. Saleh bin Hamad Al-Sharqi, Director-General of Qatar Chamber; Mr. Andy White, Senior Vice President of dmg events; Mr. Mohammed Ali Al Nuaimi, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Qatar National Convention Center ; Mr. Abdullah Ibrahim Al Mohannadi, General Manager of Qatar National Convention Center; Mr. Christoph Hodab, Director of MICE of Qatar Tourism; and Mr. Morten Fon, President & CEO of Jotun Paints Qatar. The opening day was also attended by the ambassadors of several states to the State of Qatar, including Egypt, Lebanon, Tajikistan, Portugal, Italy, Türkiye, Germany and the Sultanate of Oman. Commencing the ribbon cutting ceremony, dignitaries were led on a VIP tour of the BYH Exhibition 2022, meeting some of the 150 exhibitors participating in this year’s event including Ashghal, Kahramaa, Ministry of Social Development and Family, Qatar Development Bank, Commercial Bank of Qatar, Tadmur Trading, The Yard Qatar, Living Spirit, Al Hattab Holding, Atkya Art, Al Emadi Stones, Jotun Paints Qatar and many more key players from housing, design and construction fields. They also visited the Türkiye and Portuguese pavilions where a wide range of consultants and leading companies are showcasing their high-quality products and cutting-edge design. Commenting on the opening of BYHE 2022, Rawad Sleem Co-Founder and General Manager of NeXTfairs said: “This is an extremely special day for BYH Exhibition and NeXTfairs, that demonstrates our growth and expertise. As we continue to gain government and private sector support, we can strengthen our offering to visitors and exhibitors, creating a platform for networking, collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing. We are proud to have create a destination where local housebuilders can gain the practical advice they need to build their dream homes and also play a contributing factor to boosting the local real estate and construction industry.” A catalyst for collaboration, BYH Exhibition brings leading industry experts, government entities, and Qatari nationals together under one roof. This vital platform stimulates the housebuilding industry – previous events have generated an estimated QR400M worth of deals per edition – inspires learning and development and enables Qatari homebuilders to construct homes that are fit for the future. Attendees to BYH Exhibition 2022 can visit over 150 exhibitors from five main sectors – Consultants, Contractors, Suppliers, General Services, and Smart Solutions – enabling them to building a network of contacts, source consultants and discover all the materials they need to bring their home and renovation projects to life. Guests can expect to walk away with exclusive offers and services from exhibitors and discover a wealth of new brands and products from Türkiye and Portugese companies, exhibiting at these international pavilions. Another major attraction of BYH Exhibition 2022 is the Knowledge Sharing Conference and Future and Smart Living Conference, which enable attendees to and enjoy practical advice and inspiration from over 28 key speakers from institutions such as Civil Defence, Ashgal, the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, AIA Middle East, Jaidah Group, Qatar University and VCUarts Qatar. Each event day sees a new line of speakers from 11 am – 7 pm covering a wide range of subjects from technical requirements to smart home solutions for assisted living. Keen to create a platform that nurtures the Qatar’s future design talent, BYH Exhibition 2022 held the second Junior Interior Designer Competition in conjunction with VCUarts Qatar. Ten students took place in the design challenge, and the winning entries will be announced and on view from tomorrow, Tuesday 29 March from 3 pm. Visitors will also have to pre-register to attend the event, via the visitor portal, which is now open. Attendees Ehteraz health status will be checked before being allowed inside, and mask-wearing will be reinforced. BYH Exhibition is held from 28-30 March 2022, at Halls 8 & 9 at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). Daily opening times are: 10 am – 10 pm. To find out more about BYH Exhibition, visit www.buildyourhouseqatar.com

DOHA, Qatar, 27 March – Held in Qatar under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of Qatar, the 20th Edition of the Doha Forum concluded on Sunday 27th March. Over two days, high level officials, policy makers, academics and thought leaders representing more than 30 countries discussed changing realities under the umbrella of ‘Transforming for a New Era’. The closing sessions featured H.E. Dr. Vjosa Osmani, President of the Republic of Kosovo, H.E. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister of Foreign Affairs, France, as well as H.E. Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA. Doha Forum hosted more than 2300 guests in Qatar, including more than 200 panelists from 142 nationalities and 104 countries, who contributed to more than 50 sessions across the two-day event. Closing the Doha Forum, H.E. Dr. Vjosa Osmani spoke of Kosovo's experience with multilateralism, when the international community responded to the conflict In the Balkans, ending the war, saying "with history constantly being made and new alliances being formed… multilateralism has never been more important. If we want to transform for a new era, we need to do it hand in hand." This year's Forum saw a number of discussions and events take place on the sidelines. The Qatar-Africa Business Forum brought together political and business leaders discussing the burgeoning relationship between Qatar and countries within Africa and explore opportunities for further collaboration. Qatar Foundation launched the Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future, which will examine ways to transition towards a more sustainable future through a holistic lens. The Global Sports Programme organized a High-Level Round-Table on the Protection of Major Sporting Events and the Use of Sports’ Values for the Prevention of Violent Extremism. The session brought together experts from sport, civil society and international organizations to discuss priorities in harnessing sport to prevent and counter extremism and violence. Powered by Qatar Fund for Development, the Digital Citizen Fund's BRITE (Building Resilience Through Innovation, Technology, and Education) initiatives exhibited the work of the "Afghan Dreamers”, the Afghan Girls Robotics Team, alongside other recipients of BRITE’s educational STEM programs. More than 30 signings and individual MoUs took place during Doha Forum, which hosted more than 350 international and local media. Doha Forum’s Viewpoint series returned with more than 30 VVIP interviews, while ECFR, Foreign Policy, RUSI, Wilson Centre, Stimson Centre, Doha Debates and HBKU used an on-site podcast studio to capture the latest by the thought leaders in attendance at Doha Forum. Day Two sessions included: Newsmaker Interview In a newsmaker interview with CNN’s Becky Anderson, Dr. Sayyid Kamal Kharrazi, President, Strategic Council on Foreign Relations; Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Islamic Republic of Iran responded to questions about the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) and how the resumption of negotiations would help shape Iran’s economic landscape and alliances with Western countries. Next Anderson interviewed Robert Malley, United States Special Representative for Iran, who mapped the steps the US has taken to further the JCPoA while addressing concerns for the US, Iran, and the Gulf region. Spheres of Influence in the Age of Unpeace This session discussed the shifting dynamics determining power and control in the modern era, particularly the conflict in Ukraine. H.E. Børge Brende, President, World Economic Forum, spoke of the global response to Russia’s breach of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, in contravention of agreed upon norms, and the effect this has had within Europe in particular. H.E. Ivan Korčok, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Slovak Republic agreed, stating that this showed how “Ukraine is definitely becoming part of the political West… a watershed moment.” With an increasingly unified Western bloc, as represented by NATO, there remains a regional difference in terms of responses to this conflict. H.E. Hina Rabbani Khar, Member of National Assembly, Pakistan spoke of how the Ukrainian conflict will “be felt not just regionally as has been the norm for most interventions, but also in the rest of the world,” continuing that non-Western powers have “seen Abu Ghraib, and Guantanamo and how these wars have been conducted… [this] has left a deep dent in the reputation of the West.” Economic Crises and Coordinated Global Recovery Efforts: Towards An Inclusive Multilateralism This session discussed the vulnerabilities of the global economic system - from supply chain disruptions to structural issues within existing institutional frameworks. H.E. Ali bin Ahmed Al-Kuwari, Ministry of Finance and former Minister of Commerce and Industry said “International organisations like the IMF play a really important role, but they are not the only solution,” adding that “we still have instability [in the world] following the COVID-19 pandemic…the Ukrainian crisis.” Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, also stressed the importance of stability as necessary to peace, saying “the root cause [of the current economic situation] is the war in Ukraine. The faster the tanks are out, the faster the tractors are in.” Georgieva also highlighted the IMF’s role in protecting people, saying: “We calculated at the IMF that the pandemic cost the world economy 30.8 trillion dollars and billions to vaccinate people. So we spend trillions to protect billions.” Addressing the Effects of Climate Change Today: Adaptation Policies for a Climate-Resilient Future This session outlined the actions needed to help lower-income countries and farmers avoid climate disaster and adapt to changing conditions. Bill Gates, Co-founder of Microsoft; Co-chairperson of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, reinforced this, announcing Nanmo, a new partnership between the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Qatar Fund for Development, that will support and deploy game-changing innovations. H.E. Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico stressed the importance of implementing a mechanism across regions and countries, recommended each participating country contribute sum relative to their emissions. H.E. Khalifa Jassim Al-Kuwari, Director General, Qatar Fund for Development, discussed the need for strong political commitment, international and regional policy, and technological mechanisms to tackle climate change through a holistic approach. He further reiterated the significance of Nanmo in reducing the inequalities faced by small-scale farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa, mainly through helping scale up productivity. Mark Suzman, Chief Executive Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, further highlighted the importance of policy and resource prioritization at the regional level, particularly ways to increase resource allocations, providing agricultural tools, and utilizing new digital soil mapping techniques. Maja Groff, Convenor, Climate Governance Commission, reiterated that “mitigation and adaptation challenges are formidable challenges.” By scaling up and accelerating knowledge and technology transfers, countries can learn from each other and adopt innovative means of facilitating sustainable economic solutions for the future. Geopolitical Implications of the Russia-Ukraine War on the Middle East This session discussed Russia’s conflict with Ukraine and its impact on MENA and beyond. Mr. Ibrahim Kalin, Chief Counsellor to the President of the Turkish Republic spoke on the need for mediation, saying “Russia will not go away, the western bloc will remain there and Ukraine will still be an independent country, but mediation efforts to end this war will be key in shaping this renewed security architecture.” He continued, “We have kept our lines of communications with Ukraine and Russia open, which is very good. Even though we have disagreed with Russia in Syria, we have managed to discuss our differences.” Congresswoman Jane Harman, Distinguished Fellow and President Emerita, Wilson Center, lauded Qatar for the important role it is playing to help solve the energy crisis following the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, “My impression is that Qatar is trying to do what it can to meet this request, but the issue is all its [oil and gas] supplies are fully committed, with some heading to Europe and Asia.” Dr. John Gong, Professor of Economics, University of International Business and Economics discussed China’s role in the crisis between Ukraine and Russia, and why his country has yet to apply sanctions on the Russians, explaining that “China shares a very long border with Russia, if we put sanctions on Russia we will have issues with them. Almost all countries that have put sanctions on Russia have some kind of nuclear protection, China does not.” He also stated that the United States has been promoting a narrative that all countries must put sanctions on Russia or else they will be considered strong supporters of the war. Mohammad Hassan Sheikholeslami, Deputy Foreign Minister, Iran and President of the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) stated: “Iran has started constructive negotiations with Qatar as well as with the UAE and we have also had discussions with Saudi Arabia. We were supposed to have the fifth round of negotiations with KSA but it did not happen due to the recent events which we are against and [find] unacceptable.” Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar Dr. Majid Al-Ansari stressed that his country is against the war between Ukraine and Russia, saying: “The position is crystal clear - we are against military escalation.” He continued: “It is our duty to facilitate the communication between small and medium power countries and large power countries.” On the importance of creating a new world order which includes the United States and its allies, Al-Ansari said: “If the West expects the rest of the world to respect the international world order, then the West, the United States, and their allies really need to talk with the rest of the world. We are moving to a multipolar world. Let’s talk together about how to get there because if we don’t, we will see a world where everybody is dying.” The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Challenges and Opportunities for a New Era In this session, panellists discussed rapid advances in technology and how they are revolutionizing the way we live, work, play and engage. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information in Qatar discussed utilising technology that already exists stating, “We should invest in equipping the existing resources to reach future needs.” While previous industrial shifts (steam and water power, electricity and assembly lines, and computerization) have unfolded more gradually, the advancements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution are occurring at a faster pace, disrupting sectors and economies in almost every country. Børge Brende, president of the World Economic Forum, commented on this phenomenon and added, “Covid helped a digital transformation, that would have happened over ten years, happen in two years.” The panellists also discussed Africa’s journey in technological advancements and the importance it has on the future of Africa from an economic and educational standpoint. Patrice Motsepe, founder and Executive Chairman, African Rainbow Minerals, South Africa, commented on the importance of inclusivity in technology, stating, “We want to encourage Africans to develop African technology,” adding, “Innovation does not have its source or origin anymore.” Perilous Waters: Peace and Prosperity in the Indo-Pacific In the “Perilous Waters: Peace and Prosperity in the Indo-Pacific”, Southeast Asian economic and political leaders delved into the importance of securing the stability of the region. Emphasizing the significance of the Indo-Pacific region as a place of peace, neutrality, and freedom, H.E Retno Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia, commented: “ASEAN would like to achieve a mindset of dialogue and collaboration, which offers nurturing, strategy, and trust. Concrete ASEAN cooperation prioritizes issues of maritime, connectivity, attainment of SDGs, and the creation of an inclusive regional architecture”. Building on the sentiment, YB Dato' Kamarudin Jaffar, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia, also highlighted the need to protect the region’s role in global trade routes and stated: “ASEAN needs to be more consolidated and forceful in our disagreement when violations of our territorial integrity happen.” Stressing the need for international support for the region’s prosperity, Lisa Curtis, Senior Fellow and Director, Indo-Pacific Security Program, reflected on the US’ contribution to the region’s development: “The US sees the region as vital, and it will work closely with its allies and partners for furthering stability and prosperity in the region. We need to work more closely with our allies in Asia to meet challenges and preserve its rules-based order.” Vaccine Distribution: Collaborative Solutions for an Equitable System This session revolved around global contributions to vaccine equity and efforts in tackling the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sultana Afdhal, CEO, World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), initiated the discussion with an emphasis on the humanitarian consequences of the failure of vaccine equity, the latter being “more complex than we think.” Finding cost-effective sustainable solutions to the most pressing challenges is one of WISH’s priorities, along with building on the lessons learned from the current pandemic. H.E. Carl Bildt, European Council on Foreign Relations and Former Prime Minister of Sweden; WHO Special Envoy for the ACT-Accelerator, stated, “what has been achieved so far is the triumph of science and the failure of politics – the inequity that we see.” H.E. Bildt highlighted the acute danger of more variants and the pressing need for ongoing dialogue and further funding. Mark Suzman, Chief Executive Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, pointed out that global health and inequity is not a new phenomenon. The world did not distribute the first wave of vaccines equitably, in fact “it disproportionately went to high-income countries.” He mentions that as we learned the lesson as a world, we now have the capacity to develop the necessary resources to respond to the vaccine inequity better. Lady Roselyn Morauta, Vice Chair, The Global Fund, stressed The Global Fund’s position as the largest provider of grant funds to lower-income countries for non-vaccine tools - diagnostic tests, personal protective equipment, etc. In fact, “in the last two years, over 3 billion has gone to Africa in non-vaccine support.” She argued that the past two years have strengthened partnerships: “COVID has forced global health institutions to work much closer together […] there’s a lot more sharing of information and collaboration.” Reshaping Palestinian Narratives: Who is Listening and Can it Make a Difference? In this session, participants discussed the core shifts in the Palestinian narrative and how they came about. Fadi Quran, Campaign Director, AVAAZ, said that the main change has been “the return of a sense of [Palestinian] agency. We’re shifting from a narrative of dependence and asking ‘where are the millions’ and saying we need a peace process from outside…The shackles of that dependency are falling on the ground and Palestinians are starting to say our destiny is in our hands and we’re going to take control of it.” Diana Buttu, Palestinian Lawyer, Analyst and Former Legal Advisor to the PLO Negotiation Team, agreed, adding, “My participation in the negotiations for many years made me realize it was futile - it was the equivalent to negotiating with a gun to your head. We really are at a watershed moment with human rights organizations repeating what Palestinians have been saying for a long time, which is that this is apartheid. We as a people have to be pushing and shaping and shifting the narrative, to make our destiny and push it forward using our own language for our own struggle.” Peter Beinart, Editor-at-Large, Jewish Currents, explained how perceptions have begun to shift among American audiences as well. “What we’ve seen in American public opinion is a dramatic bifurcation. 20 years ago, Americans favoured Israel over Palestine, now democrats favour sanctions against Israel…Why is this happening on the American left? Because over the last 20 years, Israel has moved from a foreign policy issue to a culture war issue, similar to the gun debate, the abortion debate, and the vaccine debate.” He continued, “This is partly the impact of the black lives matter and me too movements...That embarrassment of talking about people without having them as part of the conversation has filtered down to the Israel-Palestine debate. There are many more Palestinian voices and it changes the conversation completely.” Rt. Hon. Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Member, House of Lords, UK, reflected on how the Russian invasion of Ukraine is also shifting narratives: “When we look at the unfolding war in Ukraine, all the things we’ve been saying in the West were too difficult to do we’ve been doing, such as boycotts and sanctions. There was a big argument about how not to politicize sports but we’re doing that now. The fact that some of the policy making in Western capitals is hypocritical is not new. But the challenge becomes real when that hypocrisy becomes so overt that it’s difficult to frame it in any kind of logical, reasonable argument. There comes a point when electorally it becomes untenable for you to ignore the obvious and justify the hypocritical and the Ukraine war presents one of those points.” Newsmaker Interview - Dr. Omar Suleiman Dr. Omar Suleiman, Founder and President, Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research discussed the role of religion in his life as an activist and as a Muslim scholar, as well as the role of religion and its interconnectivity with social justice. He specifically focused on Islam, stating that “The assumption often is that you have to adjust religion in order to be a part of the plight for human dignity, whereas this is something that is entrenched deeply in the tradition of Islam… Islam being the first explicity anti-racist tradition in history”. The Evolving Landscape of Strategic Alliances The alliances carried forward from World War II and the Cold War were aimed at guaranteeing the security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states. In this session, panelists discussed how alliances are evolving along with a fast-changing and increasingly multipolar framework and how effective and efficient they are in maintaining peace and security. Amb. Wolfgang Ischinger, President of the Foundation Council, Munich Security Conference Foundation stated, “Alliances as such are not by definition good or bad. Defensive alliances like NATO can be an important instrument of non-proliferation.” H.E. Dr. Khalid bin Mohammad Al-Attiyah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs commented on strategic alliances by saying that even though Qatar is a non-NATO ally, albeit a major one, the country’s role has become significant as the second largest exporter of energy. “We are from a region in which we understand importances of alliances, being a part of bigger alliances, because of so many things. We have a responsibility not just to our people, but to the whole of the world.” According to Patrick Turner, Assistant Secretary General for Defense Policy and Planning, NATO, the current Russian invasion of Ukraine goes beyond European borders, stating, "There are several levels where we should not just think of formal alliances. The situation we face now is not about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, or European security issue….it's a global issue. It's an assault on our values.” Newsmaker Interview - Malala Yousafzai In a Newsmaker session, activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai spoke of the importance of higher education for girls and women in Afghanistan, citing that it was the only country in the world without secondary education for its female population. “There are so many girls out there can be changemakers, leaders, if the system does not stop them.” How to End An Enduring Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan According to panelists in this session, Afghanistan is in the throes of a massive economic crisis which is exacerbating the unfolding humanitarian crises. With international resources for humanitarian assistance stretched with several crises, the overriding priority in the short term is to save lives while preventing an acute crisis from becoming a chronic one that destabilizes the region. In light of the Afghan caretaker government's refusal to allow girls to return to school, Markus Potzel, German Ambassador to Afghanistan stated that it is “hard to convince…our taxpayers to pay money for a defacto regime that deprives girls of their right to education… a right that is founded in international law…The Taliban are violating international law and violating Islamic law.” The discussion addressed the complexities behind and obstacles to delivering adequate assistance to Afghanistan, with HE Khalid Payenda, former Finance Minister, Afghanistan calling on Western powers to “be mindful of the unintended consequences of your assistance…hold Taliban accountable.” Panelists elaborated on how Afghanistan could effect a functional economy, with the sustainable delivery of food, healthcare and education to its people. Fatima Gailani, Afghan, women's rights campaigner stressed the need for Afghans to be involved in the development of any solution moving forward, articulating that “we won war after war [against superpowers] but achieved nothing…Because we didn’t follow a political solution that is designed by Afghans.” Rina Amiri, U.S. Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights elaborated on this, saying that the Afghan caretaker government needs to talk to their own people rather than focusing on the international community, stating that ultimately “it's up to them, are they going to go backward, or are they going to let the country move forward?”