Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada addressing the reception of 2018 Doha Forum held yesterday at Diplomatic Club. Pic: Baher Amin / The Peninsula
DOHA: Terming the blockade ‘blessing in disguise’, Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada has said that Qatar’s GDP growth is higher than that of blockading countries.
“Qatar is different today. This blockade truly was a blessing as now we are seeing the benefits of this blessing,” said the Minister while speaking at the reception of 2018 Doha Forum held yesterday at Diplomatic Club.
Under the patronage of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, 2018 Doha Forum slated for December 15 and 16, will bring together global decision-makers and new partners.
As many of the world’s top decision-makers and influencers prepare to convene in Doha for the 2018 Doha Forum, the gathering’s organisers announced yesterday that this year’s Forum will launch a remarkable new era of Forum partnerships with several of the world’s most prestigious international policy institutions. The theme for the solutions-focused 2018 Doha Forum is “Shaping Policy in an Interconnected World.”
Addressing the reception, Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada said that Qatari market enjoyed robust financial health. “We introduced economic reforms and took initiatives to address the issues of human rights, environment protection and those related to the labor reforms,” said Al Sada.
He said that social and developmental projects have also been accelerated to keep pace with development of the country. “Today after a year and half of the blockade, our market is supplying goods from our friends and partners from across the world. We took all measures to ensure the continuous supply of energy to our all partners, not even a single shipment was missed or delayed,” said Al Sada.
He said that the presence of Qatari market in energy sector is getting stronger. “Qatar’s LNG export will increase from 77 million tonnes of LNG to 100 million tonnes per year in near future consolidating our position as the largest energy exporter,” said the Minister. He added: “I am proud to say that Qatar has shown exceptional reliable maturity in diplomacy and humanity throughout the crisis.”
Regarding the Doha Forum, the Minister of Energy and Industry stated: “Today, Qatar is a different place, therefore it’s only natural that the Doha Forum, like our country, is given new life. The rebranding of the Forum in 2018 is a result of organic progression. It has evolved, much like our country.”
Speaking on the reception, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H E Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, commented, “Today we are launching a new visual identify for the Doha Forum because we recognize the importance of keeping up with the fast-paced changes our world is witnessing today, while ensuring that the principles that the Forum was built on remain steadfast.”
Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lolwah Al Khater, stated: “The Doha Forum is designed to address global challenges and advance pragmatic solutions. Since its inception, the Forum has evolved into an ideal vantage point to explore the issues that affect us all.”
According to organisers of 2018 Doha Forum, among the world leaders, policymakers, business leaders and advocates participating in the Doha Forum will be 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Nadia Murad, the inspiring young Iraqi human rights activist.
For the first time, the Doha Forum is teaming up with many of the world’s most acclaimed international institutions as partners, ensuring the 2018 gathering will showcase an unprecedented diversity of views and be extraordinarily compelling and impactful. The Forum has also released recently a refreshed visual identity and slogan ‘Diplomacy, Dialogue, Diversity’. Channeling the Forum’s renewed ambition, Doha Forum’s new logo and brand have been crafted to enhance and unify the Forum’s identity while strengthening its global presence and reputation for policy innovation.
