Day: 22 April 2024

Doha: Qatar Museums Cultural Heritage Protection Department has unveiled Al Zubarah Trashboom Project, an environmental initiative aimed at combating ocean pollution.

Launched in alignment with Earth Day, this project marks a step forward in safeguarding Qatars UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Al Zubrah Trashboom Project, supported by Ras Laffan Industrial City Community Outreach Program (RLIC-COP), introduces the strategic deployment of Trash Booms, an innovative measure designed to curb the effects of ocean pollution on this archaeological site and lessen the need for frequent beach cleanups.

HE Chairperson of Qatar Museums Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani said: “Al Zubarah Trashboom Project exemplifies our commitment to preserving Qatars history while embracing innovative solutions for environmental challenges. Through such initiatives, we aim to foster a deeper appreciation for our heritage and a stronger awareness of sustainable practices among the public to ensure that the cultural significance of e
ach site is not only clearly communicated but also accessible, relatable, and enjoyable to visitors, both now and in the future.” For his part, Director of Cultural Heritage Protection at Qatar Museums Abdullatif Al Jasmi said: “Al Zubarah is home to Qatars only World Heritage Site, its beach consistently experiences washed-up marine waste from the Arabian Gulf. Despite efforts to organize periodic clean-ups, the continuous flow of debris necessitated a sustainable solution, which not only keeps the beach clean but also improves the environment for marine life in the Bay of Al Zubarah. The Zubarah Trashboom Project underscores Qatar Museums’ commitment to integrating cultural heritage preservation with practical environmental measures. By deploying Trash Booms, we aim to tackle the influx of marine debris in a manner that aligns with our dedication to the long-term sustainability of Qatar’s cultural treasures, and we plan to recycle all the collected waste for other functions that endow the site and benefit m
arine life”.

Sheikha Dana Rashid Al-Thani, Lead at RLIC-COP, said: “Al Zubarah offshore trash boom installation project, initiated by Qatar Museums and proudly supported by RLIC-COP, is quite a unique project as it is addressing the plastic marine pollution at one of the most significant archaeological sites in-country recognized by the UNESCO. It is hugely rewarding to see how our collective efforts with our partner Qatar Museums have maximized the value gained from this project contributing to enhancing the quality of Al Zubarah beach and protecting the marine biodiversity. RLIC-COP have benefited greatly from the partnership with Qatar Museums who successfully managed to deliver a high technical complex and innovative project in a timely and professional manner”.

Al Zubrah Trashboom Project takes a step further by repurposing the collected waste material, transforming it into useful fittings or installations within the site itself. The anchors of these Trash Booms also serve a dual purpose by acting as a
rtificial reefs, enriching the marine biodiversity of Al Zubarah Bay. This multifaceted approach addresses environmental concerns and contributes to the preservation and enhancement of the site’s ecological footprint.

Source: Qatar News Agency

The State of Qatar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for joint cooperation on the Development Road Project and the development of Al Faw Port between the governments of the Republic of Iraq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the Republic of Turkiye, which are the Participants of this leading project, in the presence of HE Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq Muhammad Shia Al Sudani and HE President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The MoU was signed by HE Minister of Transport Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, HE Minister of Transportation in the Republic of Iraq Razzaq Muhibis Al Saadawi, HE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of the UAE Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei, and HE Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Turkiye Abdulkadir Uraloglu.

The MoU aims at supporting economic integration among these countries, connecting the East with the West, and enhancing global trade between the countries and world countries. The “Development Road” represents a compre
hensive strategic project that meets the ambitions of the participants to promote ties through the commercial exchange, industrial projects, and multiple and diverse transport lines.

The project is to create a land route and railway extending from Iraq to Turkey and its ports. The road and the railway are 1200 kilometers long inside of Iraq for the transporting of goods between Europe and the Gulf countries. The projects investment budget stands at roughly $17 billion. The project is to be carried out in three phases; the first to be completed in 2028, the second in 2033, and the third in 2050.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Qatar Foundation will host the annual Akhlaquna awards ceremony on Wednesday at its seventh season. The award ceremony will take place at Qatar National Library, honoring this year’s winners whose personalities exemplify ethical traits and contribute to initiatives and projects that positively impact society.

The ceremony will include the honoring of several categories and age groups. There will be one award for children aged 7-14, another for youth aged between 15-18 years. Nominees in both categories will be residing in Qatar. Additionally, for the first time, finalists from GCC countries will be recognized in a category for individual contributions.

The number of applicants has significantly increased this year, with a total of 230 submissions across the three categories, reflecting growing interest and interaction with the award, expanding the reach and impact of this initiative.

In this regard, Sheikha Noof Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, who is the Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partn
erships in Pre-University Education at Qatar Foundation, emphasized that the Akhlaquna awards aims to highlight the importance of embodying ethical virtues derived from the Prophet’s approach in, as well as the manifestations of striving to enhance them within society.

She added that the event also aims to promote positive and cooperative spirit in the community, build bridges of communication and understanding through related events and activities, achieving this goal by encouraging people to engage in charitable work and contribute to societal progress.

She expressed her happiness with the increase in submissions for the annual award, particularly from GCC countries this year, noting that this growing engagement not only enriches society but also opens doors for further expansion and outreach.

During a press conference held to announce the details of the event, Director of the award Ahmed Youssef Al Malki outlined several objectives of the award, including spreading awareness related to religious values
in society and urging individuals to participate in ethical initiatives inspired by the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Moreover, Al Malki mentioned that in 2023, the institution launched several awareness campaigns, and this year it launched a campaign on humility which targeted a group of schools and collaborated with more than 20 entities, implementing over 100 activities and reaching approximately 1,000 participants.

He confirmed that the competition received 230 participants this year, and 23 of them will be honored at the Akhlaquna awards ceremony, accompanied by an interactive exhibition where each entity presents its efforts in the ethical aspect, with about 15 entities participating. The day following the ceremony will feature interactive activities.

The Director of the award also noted that the individual contributions category addresses citizens and residents of Qatar, with one of the main application requirements being an individual contribution project spanning two years, closely
linked to ethics. He emphasized that the award focuses on all aspects of prophetic ethics and that the Gulf submissions reached 30 participants.

Al Malki further noted that since its inception in 2017, the award has had approximately 65 winners, emphasizing its focus on exemplary behavior and leaving a lasting impact, representing not only the winning categories but also a societal movement, as each winner becomes an ambassador for the award and receives an honorary shield.

Meanwhile Sheikha Al Zeyara, part of the Akhlaquna Awards team, that the first award category targets school students aged 7 to 14. She added that the category aims to highlight exemplary role models, with criteria based on the student’s overall character, readiness to contribute, and promotion of ethics within their small environment. The second category targets high school students aged 14 to 18.

She highlighted that the number of participants continues to increase each year, with over 170 applicants for the two categories this year,
indicating the strong commitment from schools in preparing participants’ profiles.

She also said that each participating student compiles a file detailing their achievements and initiatives, demonstrating how they promote ethics in society, both at school and in the community, with all profiles reviewed by the judging committee before selecting the winners.

An interactive exhibition is scheduled for Apr. 25 at Qatar National Library in Education City, involving 15 entities, including ministries and government institutions, to showcase their role in supporting societal ethical movements, in addition to presenting various interactive activities for exhibition visitors.

The award ceremony will see a launch of 2024-2025 campaign on enhancing compassion among people in society and emphasize the importance of ethical values and empathy as factors for positive change.

Akhlaquna is an initiative launched by HH Chairperson of Qatar Foundation Sheikha Moza bint Nasser aiming to highlight the interconnectedness betw
een knowledge and noble ethics, honoring young community members who embody ethics, values, and virtuous behaviors.

Source: Qatar News Agency

HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani met on Monday with HE United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland at the headquarters of the permanent delegation in New York.

During the meeting, they discussed the developments in the Gaza Strip and emphasized the importance of an immediate ceasefire to allow the delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of the fraternal Palestinian people.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim met with a group of attendees in the fourth National Defense Course at the Joaan Bin Jassim Academy for Defense Studies. The attendees included senior officials from ministries, state institutions, and various security agencies. They visited the Shura Council and attended its weekly session held today.

During the meeting, His Excellency the Speaker discussed the history of the council and highlighted key developments in its journey from the appointment phase to the first elections of the Shura Council.

His Excellency also emphasized the important role of the Shura Council in legislation and oversight, affirming the council’s commitment to the national interest and meeting the aspirations of citizens.

HE Speaker of the Shura Council also praised the role of the academy in preparing leaders and providing them with essential knowledge in critical and vital areas.

For their part, the attendees commended the council’s role in achieving popular
participation and the importance of the topics discussed during its deliberations, reflecting the concerns of Qatari society.

During the visit, the attendees listened to a presentation that covered the establishment and evolution of the Shura Council, its different bodies, and its main constitutional mandates, including legislation, oversight, and approval of the general budget.

Additionally, the academy’s staff toured an exhibition at the Shura Council, which showcased a collection of lectures, speeches, and memorabilia illustrating the history of the Shura Council since its establishment in 1972.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Over two days, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE), in cooperation with the College of Education at Qatar University (QU), held an introductory meeting to attract Qatari students of both genders who have a desire to join the teaching profession through the “Tomoh” program.

The meeting aimed to provide future teachers with the opportunity to learn closely about the nature of the teaching profession through listening and exchanging views with educational competencies who share their field experiences.

Acting director of the Department of Educational Guidance at the MOEHE Fawzia Al Malki said that the meeting came within the framework of the Ministry’s endeavor to build bridges of cooperation with the College of Education at Qatar University to provide the best methods and programs through many projects and initiatives that seek to qualify students for the teaching profession. The meeting also aimed to provide the students with the latest developments and updates in this profession for
teachers and education, the most important of which is amending salaries and financial benefits for teachers, and providing incentives, rewards, and privileges.

In turn, Dean of the College of Education at QU Prof. Asma Abdulla Al Attiyah delivered a speech in which she stressed the constant endeavor to attract Qatari students of both genders to become teachers and leaders in the future, especially since the teacher’s message is one of the most honorable messages in life.

She pointed out that the State of Qatar needs its loyal children to carry this message, and that the College of Education opens its doors to all students who need to obtain any information or guidance, or even attend classes as a listener to learn about the environment and nature of study at the college.

For her part, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at the College of Education at QU Dr. Aisha Al Ahmadi highlighted the diversity of majors available in the college, acceptance rates, and entry requirements, while explaining the admission
requirements for each major, which contributed to guiding students and motivating them to choose the major that suits their future professional inclinations and interests.

The meeting included a panel discussion entitled “why the teaching profession” with the participation of an elite group of teachers, where the educational field’s needs for Qatari youth and the important role of the Qatari teacher in the teaching profession were discussed.

The teachers also shared their own experiences in the field of education and presented an overview of their experience in the “Tomoh” program and the great potential it offers to the Qatari teacher, through which Qatari teachers are qualified to join the teaching and pedagogical profession.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Their Excellencies the Undersecretaries of the Ministries of Education in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC) held an extraordinary meeting on Monday in Doha to review the final version of the internal regulations for the work of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEGS) and its affiliated bodies, in preparation for presenting it to the 8th meeting of Their Excellencies the Ministers of Education in the GCC countries, scheduled to be held in June in Doha for approval, in implementation of the decision of the 7th meeting of their committee in September 2023 in Muscat, Oman, in that regard.

The extraordinary meeting, chaired by HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, was attended by HE Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Development Affairs at the General Secretariat of the GCC Khaled bin Ali bin Salem Al Senaidi and HE Director-General of the ABEGS Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Asmi.

HE Dr. Al Nuaimi, Chairman o
f the current session of the Undersecretaries’ Committee, confirmed that the extraordinary meeting comes as a continuation of the efforts of Their Excellencies the GCC Ministers of Education, the efforts of the GCC General Secretariat, and the efforts of the ABEGS.

The extraordinary meeting discussed and approved the draft internal regulations for the work of the ABEGS and its affiliated bodies, including the views and observations of the member states, in preparation for presenting the regulations in their final form to the 8th meeting of Their Excellencies the GCC Ministers of Education.

At the conclusion of the meeting, HE Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi told Qatar News Agency that the meeting discussed matters related to the ABEGS and its future relationship with the GCC General Secretariat so that it would be under its umbrella.

He noted that the GCC Committee of Undersecretaries of the Ministries of Education had discussed, in its extraordinary meeting on Monday in Doha, all relevant items and that i
t was putting the final touches and lines related to that issue to submit its recommendations to the next meeting of Their Excellencies the GCC Ministers of Education in June in Doha.

He indicated that such meetings also address a number of educational and pedagogical issues, programs, and projects of interest to the GCC countries.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: The General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority (GRSIA) is participating in the 16th regular symposium for Civil Retirement and Social Insurance Agencies in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC), hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Social Insurance Organization, on April 23rd and 24th, under the title of financial sustainability of retirement and social insurance funds.

The symposium addresses topics relating to insurance fund sustainability, challenges, governance, control and supervision, financial innovations, best practices, and exchanging country-based case studies.

Moreover, the symposium will discuss the impact of economic challenges on the sustainability of insurance funds, the impact of disclosure and transparency, solvency assessment models, liquidity management, the impact of demographic changes, enhancing awareness and practice of social production, making use of technologies and insurance systems and policies to enhance sustainability, activating the financial sustainability o
f insurance authorities’ administrative structures, the provision of optional saving and insurance products, in addition to the role of insurance funds in enhancing sustainability.

It will also tackle ways to enhance long-term investments for pension funds, the importance of investment diversification to ensure fund sustainability, the impact of financial market fluctuations, recent trends in alternative investments and sustainable investment products, and their impact on the investment strategy of insurance funds, in addition to designing new strategies for managing assets and liabilities and developing the investment portfolio periodically based on changes in assets and liabilities.

The symposium will address risk management strategies for insurance funds, analysis of potential financial risks, development and diversification of insurance products to confront future risks, in addition to risk analysis within the framework of the sustainability of insurance funds.

Source: Qatar News Agency

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met on Monday with HE Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel, on the sidelines of the High-Level Forum on Security and Regional Cooperation between the European Union (EU) and the GCC, held in Luxembourg.

During the meeting, they discussed cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to develop them in various fields, in addition to the developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories.

Source: Qatar News Agency

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative in Bangladesh Sumbul Rizvi praised Qatar’s huge and continuous support for UNHCR’s efforts to meet the humanitarian needs of Rohingya refugees, especially since the beginning of the waves of displacement in 2017.

In an interview with Qatar News Agency from Dhaka, Bangladesh, Rizvi said that since the refugees’ influx in 2017, contributions from Qatari organizations including Qatar Charity, Qatar Fund for Development, and other humanitarian actors have helped meet critical and lifesaving needs through the provision of core relief items, sanitation facilities, clean water, and site development activities in areas sheltering refugees.

“In 2023, Qatar Charity’s contribution enabled UNHCR to provide shelter materials to over 126,000 refugees for shelter repair and maintenance, during a period that saw multiple fires in the dry season from October to March and strong winds and heavy rains during the monsoon season from June to October,” she adde
d.

In a related context, she pointed out that more than 7,000 Rohingya families received liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) refills, enabling them to meet their monthly cooking needs for ten months. She stressed that the provision of LPG promoted food security, nutrition, and peaceful coexistence in the camps by reducing competition for resources. Notably, it has resulted in the restoration of hundreds of acres of forest land.

The UNHCR Representative emphasized that Qatar is a key partner of UNHCR globally. “For several years, Qatar’s contribution to UNHCR has made possible the provision of health, education, well-being, and housing of refugees in various countries and contexts. This generous support by Qatar is deeply appreciated,” she said.

In 2017, over 750,000 Rohingya women, men, and children fled toward the border with Bangladesh following violent crackdowns in Myanmar.

According to UNHCR’s estimations, Bangladesh hosts nearly 1 million Rohingya refugees in the largest refugee camp in the world, most of
them in Cox’s Bazar district, near the border with Myanmar.

Rizvi said that Rohingya refugees live in temporary shelters in a highly congested camp setting, relying entirely on humanitarian assistance. She noted that Rohingya refugees are highly exposed to weather-related hazards especially cyclones, flooding, and landslides.

She stressed that UNHCR’s approach in Bangladesh is focused on finding solutions for Rohingya refugees, primarily through their eventual voluntary, safe, and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar. “Enhancing the resilience of refugees during displacement is essential for a sustainable return. This also includes the creation of conduce conditions in Rakhine State,” she said.

She stressed that in 2024, key projects and activities in sectors such as health, shelter, water, hygiene, and sanitation are in critical need of enhancement.

She pointed out the multi-agency 2024 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis that was launched on Mar. 13, indicating that the UN and
its partners are calling on the international community to extend financial support to address the needs of Rohingya refugees and the Bangladeshi communities that are hosting them as the refugee crisis enters its seventh year.

She also noted that the 2024 JRP requests $852.4 million to cover the needs of 1.35 million refugees for food, shelter materials, fuel and energy, cooking items, core protection-related action, access to skills, capacity-building, nutrition challenges, accessible healthcare, and education.

She stressed that there is a need more than ever for international solidarity with Bangladesh regarding the protection of refugees with the escalation of the conflict in Myanmar, pointing to a number of risks and challenges, including the decline in (marked by 33 percent cuts to food assistance in 2023), refugees lack of legal status, climate risks, security inside the camps, among other challenges.

Concluding her interview with QNA, UNHCR Representative renewed her thanks and appreciation to the S
tate of Qatar and its people for the continued support for the Rohingya refugees. She voiced her thanks to the State of Qatar and appreciated the support the refugees received in the camps from the government and people of Qatar, stressing the need to continue that support.

Source: Qatar News Agency

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met separately today with HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense of Ireland Michael Martin, HE Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Italian Republic Antonio Tajani, HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Hanke Bruins, HE Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain Jose Manuel Albares, HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden Tobias Billstrom, HE High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. The meetings took place on the sidelines of the high-level forum between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the European Union on regional security, which took place in Luxembourg.

The meetings dealt with discussing bilateral cooperation and the means to enhance it, in addition to discussing several regional and international issues of joint interest.

Source: Qat
ar News Agency

Doha: HE Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater met on Monday with HE Ambassador of Canada to Qatar Isabelle Marie Catherine Martin.

During the meeting, they discussed cooperation relations between the two countries, especially in development fields, in addition to the latest developments in the region.

Source: Qatar News Agency