Doha, 30 Sept. 2023 (QT)

By Ashraf Siddiqui

LIFE Pharma, one of the leading Qatari drugs distribution companies, has inked a distribution agreement with PharmEvo, a major state-of the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing company from Pakistan. Abdullah Majed Al Noaimi, chairman of the Board of Life Pharma and Haroon Qassim, managing director of PharmEvo, Pakistan, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective companies.

The two sides also inked another agreement to appoint Life Pharma as distributors of their products for Saudi Arabia.

Abdullah Majed Al Noaimi welcomed the guests to the event, describing it as an exceptional one and said that it was a momentous day for Life Pharma. “This event is not just an occasion for us to come together; it’s a celebration of our collective achievements, a reflection of our shared journey, and a testament to the incredible teamwork and dedication that define both of our companies,” he said. The partnership will shape the future of the pharmaceutical industry, not only in Qatar, but also in the region, he said adding “It is a strategic alliance that will enable us to deliver greater value to our clients and stakeholders. Together, we will harness our collective strengths to drive innovation, increase efficiency, and accelerate growth.”

Al Noaimi expressed gratitude to the Amir of the Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for his attention and support to the health sector for the benefit of citizens and residents of State of Qatar. He thanked Ministry of Public Health and employees of his company for their support and contribution in improving the health standards in health sector.

He said that since its launch a few years ago, Life Pharma has worked to improve the lives of citizens and residents by providing the best products, and keeping pace with the developments in the pharmaceutical industry.

He announced the opening of Life Pharma’s branch in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “This is the beginning of Life Pharma’s vision of expansion across the world with its partners from several countries including the United States of America, Canada, Italy, Serbia, India, Pakistan, and The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,” he added.

Haroon Qassim, PharmEvo Pakistan managing director, said that it was a real pleasure that their pharmaceutical products meet high standards of quality set by MoPH in Qatar. He said that Pakistan offers quality medicines adding, “We are already exporting to at least 30 countries in the world and look forward to a long relationship in GCC market and beyond in the region.

He said that Qatar is first country in the GCC for PharmEvo.

Doha, 30 Sept 2023

Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) inaugurated a two-day conference titled 'Global Histories and Practices of Islamophobia' with a resolute message of solidarity in the global battle against Islamophobia and various forms of discrimination, bigotry, and racism.

In response to the escalating global concerns surrounding the surge in anti-Muslim bias and hate-related incidents, the conference is delving into the examination of Islamophobia and its pervasive discourse across political, social, educational, and other contexts.

During the opening keynote speech, former South African envoy and Founder of 'World for All Foundation', Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, conveyed a powerful message: 'We create 'isms' and phobias for every difference, dressing it up as an anxiety of the unknown, activating the surveillance state, sophisticating punishments at every event, and perfecting the policies of immigration, as if they are normal laws that we need to implement. All of those things have morphed into what today can only be described as mainstream extremism." He emphasized that labeling it as a fear or phobia places a double burden on the victim—to survive discrimination and to prove that they are not so fearful.

Ambassador Rasool highlighted the contemporary situation, noting that the 'Muslim other' in today's world receives special treatment, as almost 10% of every Western country is composed of this 'other'. He asserted that Islamophobia is no longer confined to the West; it has taken root in places like India, China, Myanmar, and beyond, where Muslim minorities face populism and mainstream extremisms.

Drawing lessons from South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle, Ambassador Rasool underscored the need for solidarity in the fight against all forms of bigotry, urging a unity that transcends religion, race, and ethnicity to find common cause.

In response to queries about the role of diplomacy and sport in addressing Islamophobia, Ambassador Rasool highlighted the effectiveness of public diplomacy, exemplified by Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022, in combating anti-Islamic sentiment.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Arian, Associate Professor of History at GU-Q and a conference co-organizer, delivered welcoming remarks, stating, 'Islamophobia continues to exhibit disturbing and destructive features that are both globalized, increasingly universalized, and deeply rooted in local beliefs and practices emerging from particular historical and lived experiences'. The conference aims to unravel these seemingly contradictory features, examine their impacts globally, and consider remedies to tackle the challenge across multiple spheres.

The conference, extending until Sunday, October 1, features leading scholars exploring contemporary Islamophobic practices and their global connections. Alongside sessions, public workshops and a GUQ student-led forum will address appropriate responses to counter the spread of Islamophobia on university campuses.

On the second day of the conference at Hotel Four Seasons Doha, three panel discussions will take place: 1) Constructing the Narrative: Islamophobia and the media, moderated by Jamal Elshayyal of AlJazeera Network; 2) Qatar, the World Cup, and Islamophobia chaired by Danyel Reiche of Georgetown University, Qatar Campus; and 3) Islamophobia and the Global War on Terror, chaired by Nadya Sbaiti.

The conference will conclude with a Closing Roundtable Discussion and Closing remarks by Dr. Safwan Masri, Dean, Georgetown University, Qatar Campus.

Doha, 27 Sept. 2023

By Ashraf Siddiqui

Doha, 27 Sept. 2023

QatarEnergy signed an agreement with Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for the construction of 17 ultra-modern LNG carriers.

The deal, valued at 14.2 billion Qatari Riyals, marks the start of the second phase of QatarEnergy's LNG ship acquisition program, which will support its expanding LNG production capacity from the North Field LNG expansion and Golden Pass LNG export projects as well as its long-term fleet replacement requirements.

Together with the 60 ships that were contracted for by QatarEnergy in the first phase of the program, which will be built at Korean and Chinese shipyards, today’s agreement brings the total number of confirmed new LNG vessels to be delivered to QatarEnergy and its affiliates to 77, with more to follow.

To commemorate this occasion, a special ceremony was held in Seoul and was attended by Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President & CEO of QatarEnergy, senior executives from QatarEnergy, QatarEnergy LNG and HD Hyundai.

The agreement was signed by Minister Al-Kaabi and Ka Sam-hyun , the Vice Chairman & CEO of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE).

Commenting on this occasion, Minister Al-Kaabi said “This is another milestone in our long-term relationship with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and the Korean shipbuilding industry in general, which is built on the strong and strategic partnership between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Korea.”

He added: “These 17 LNG carriers will be built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to the highest technical and environmental standards and specifications. Further, the vessels are designed to achieve optimal fuel efficiency and significant reduction in carbon emissions. This emphasizes our continued commitment as a leader in sustainability, innovation, and growth within the LNG industry."

Minister Al-Kaabi concluded his remarks by congratulating both sides and extending his thanks to the working teams for their efforts that led to this important collaboration.

Ka Sam-hyun said: “We value our partnership with Qatar, and we are very proud of taking part in the world’s largest LNG new build project. We firmly believe that this opportunity will further consolidate the long-standing cooperative relationship between our two countries and companies.

We are fully committed to contributing to this project with the most advanced technology and expertise to ensure safer, more efficient, and reliable transportation of LNG from Qatar to all over the world.”

QatarEnergy’s historic LNG ship-building program is the largest of its kind in the history of the LNG industry and will play a pivotal role in meeting its future shipping requirements as it expands Qatar’s LNG production capacity.

Doha, 25 Sept. 2023

Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs, President and CEO of QatarEnergy, highlighted the importance of harmonizing energy security, affordability, and sustainability in the quest for an equitable and realistic energy transition.

In his remarks at the Ministerial Plenary Meeting as part of Tokyo’s Green Transformation Week, Minister Al-Kaabi expressed firm belief that “a balanced energy transition demands the incorporation of natural gas in our present and future energy,” and that “Natural gas will be indispensable, especially given its reliability as a base-load source for many nations and for many years post-2050.”

Al-Kaabi added: “While the pivot towards renewables is commendable, they cannot be the sole solution, particularly considering their intermittent nature. That's where natural gas, as a cleaner, cost-effective, and ready-to-use component of energy transition, becomes vital. We in the State of Qatar, recognize the gravity of climate change and consistently take actions rather than making pledges.”

He stressed the importance of exploring cleaner solutions to combat climate change, stating: “Our duty is two-fold: advancing renewable capacity while sustaining a robust baseload capability. I urge this esteemed assembly to prioritize key factors vital for a sustainable transition: bolstering energy security, bridging the energy poverty gap that impacts billions of lives, ensuring equitable energy access, amplifying investments, and decisively moving away from coal.”

The Tokyo Green Transformation Week is a series of events held in Japan focused on clean energy with an eye to achieving a balance between energy security and climate change countermeasures, while at the same time promoting economic growth.

About QatarEnergy

QatarEnergy is an integrated energy company committed to the sustainable development of cleaner energy resources as part of the energy transition in the State of Qatar and beyond.

QatarEnergy is the world leader in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) – a cleaner, more flexible, and reliable source of energy, and an integral partner in the global energy transition. Our activities cover the entire spectrum of the oil and gas value chain and include the exploration, production, processing, refining, marketing, trading, and sales of energy products and commodities.

Hangzhou, 24 Sept 2023 (Xinhua News)

Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the 19th Asian Games open on Saturday night at the lotus-shaped Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium in the capital of east China's Zhejiang Province.

Present at the unprecedented digital cauldron-lighting ceremony were numerous state leaders and international dignitaries, including King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia; President Bashar al-Assad of Syria; Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait; Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda of Nepal; Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Timor-Leste; Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of the Republic of Korea; Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat of Malaysia Johari bin Abdul; Sultan of Brunei's representative Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah; the Emir of Qatar's representative Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani; Prince Faisal bin Hussein of Jordan; Princess Sirivannavari of Thailand; and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.

From September 23 to October 8, the Hangzhou Asian Games will feature 40 sports, 61 disciplines, and 481 events. Additionally, 74 quota slots for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games are up for grabs across nine sports, including archery and tennis.

185 male and female athletes are participating in 27 sports including archery, athletics, basketball, boxing, chess, cycling, e-sports, equestrian, football, fencing, gymnastics, golf, handball, jiu-jitsu, karate, windsurfing, squash, swimming, tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, table tennis, volleyball, 33 basketball, beach volleyball, weightlifting, and bow and arrow.

China is represented by 886 athletes in 407 events across 38 sports.

The Games' opening ceremony reached its climax with an unprecedented digital cauldron-lighting ceremony, wherein millions of torchbearers transformed the digital flames into a digital human figure on the Qiantang River before it ignited the cauldron together with swimming Olympic champion Wang Shun, the last of six athletes who relayed the actual flame inside the stadium.

The Hangzhou Asian Games, postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marks the third time China has hosted the Asiad, following Beijing in 1990 and Guangzhou in 2010.

Raja Randhir Singh, acting president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), in his welcoming address praised the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (HAGOC), 'You have done a fantastic job in preparing for the Asian Games. The one-year postponement due to the pandemic was unprecedented in OCA history, but your diligence and determination will bear fruit over the next 16 days and you will be rewarded with the most magnificent and successful Asian Games ever', said Singh.

On behalf of the organizers and the 65 million people in Zhejiang, HAGOC president Wang Hao extended his warmest welcome to athletes from different countries and regions across Asia.

"We hope that they will compete with passion, challenge personal limits, strive for excellence, and realize their dreams," said Wang, also governor of Zhejiang Province.

Gao Zhidan, president of the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC), said the organizers are ready to present a magnificent Asian Games.

"Let's honor the Olympic spirit, strive for new records of Asian sports, and write together a new chapter of an Asian community with a shared future," he noted.

Before the cultural performance, athletes entered in alphabetical order based on their national or regional Olympic Committee names. Women's basketball team captain Yang Liwei and swimming world champion Qin Haiyang bore the Chinese national flag during the athletes' parade. The audience in the stadium rose and cheered as the Chinese delegation entered.

With the theme "Tides Surging in Asia", water played a central role throughout the cultural performance. It symbolized the memories of the Qiantang River, the excitement of sports, Zhejiang's spirit, and the pulse of the times, illustrating the connection between China, Asia, and the broader world.

Landmark buildings from various Asian countries and regions were also displayed on the vertical LED screens, promoting a message of co-existence and harmony.

Another notable feature of the ceremony was that there were no real fireworks. Instead, with 3D animation and augmented reality, electronic smokeless fireworks were on display.

New York, 19 Sept. 2023 (Anadolu News)

Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has  called to support the Palestinian  people to find a just political solution.

HH the Amir was addressing to the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York City.

He said that 'It is not acceptable for the Palestinian people to remain prisoners of the Israeli settler occupation arbitrariness, and the rejection of any just political solution in accordance with the principles of international legitimacy.

He said the failure of international organizations continues to provide the opportunity for Israel 'to undermine the foundations of the two-state solution by means of settlement expansion'

He spoke about attacks on holy sites in Jerusalem, use of heavy-handed means against Palestinians and restrictions in the Gaza Strip.

He said Doha provides political, humanitarian and development support to the 'brotherly Palestinian people' and contributes towards rebuilding the Gaza Strip, which is "reeling under the siege."

The emir said the crisis in Syria 'is still awaiting a comprehensive settlement through a political process leading to a political transition'.

Sheikh Tamim also touched upon the ongoing civil war in Sudan, saying: 'We condemn the crimes perpetrated against civilians in the capital Khartoum and Darfur region.” He called for “holding perpetrators to account,” and for cessation of fighting.

He affirmed Qatar’s “support for all regional and international efforts to facilitate reaching a cease-fire and hold a dialogue between the Sudanese political forces about the future of Sudan, with only one army charged with protecting rather than ruling the country.”

On Lebanon, the leader stressed the need for finding a "sustainable solution" to the political vacuum, and forming a government capable of addressing the aspirations of the Lebanese people and getting them out of their economic and developmental crisis.

He also spoke on Yemen, Libya, Afghanistan, and the recent reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and called for a "radical peaceful solution" to end the Ukraine war.

Regarding the incidents of burning copies of the holy Quran in a number of European countries, the Amir said “it is implausible for us to get distracted by an idiot or a biased person whenever it occurs to him to provoke us by burning the holy Quran or by other forms of triviality.”

'The Quran is too holy to be desecrated by a witless person', he said, adding that 'compromising the sanctity of others deliberately should not be seen as an example of the freedom of expression'.

Doha, 18 Sept. 2023

Report by Ashraf Siddiqui

'Welcome Beijing' pictorial exhibition inaugurated recently at the Katara Cultural Village Foundation Doha, Qatar to mark 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between People's Republic of China and State of Qatar.

Present on the occasion were HE Yin Li, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee; Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim AlSulaiti, Director General, Katara Cultural Village Foundation; Charged d' Affaires Chen Yue at the Chinese Embassy; diplomats; dignitaries;  Katara Cultural Village Officials; and art lovers.

The exhibition under the theme ' Capital, Ancient Charm, New Look, Humanity and Ecology' is organised at the Building No. 47, Katara is exhibiting around 75 pictures displaying Beijing culture, the vitality of its renaissance and the charm of its civilization.

The Director General Katara Cultural Village Foundation, Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti in his speech on the occasion stated that the exhibition reflects the common and permanent ambition to increase communication, cooperation and cultural exchange between Qatar and China.

He noted the role of art in the cultural rapprochement between people and strengthening ties.

He said that the photos in the exhibition have a great impact in spreading Beijing's beauty, discovering its nature and spreading China's history and its ancient civilization.

He pointed out that this exhibition reaffirms the deep and strong relations between Qatar and China and their mutual understanding and rapprochement which further enhances cultural cooperation so that diverse and distinctive cultural events can constantly be held.

Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China to Qatar Chen Yue said that the exhibition reflects the cooperation between Katara and the Chinese Embassy in Doha.

He also praised the strategic partnership between the two friendly countries and expressed his hopes that the Chinese-Qatari relations will have impactful results in the future.

Yue pointed out that cooperation and cultural exchange between Doha and Beijing has become a model to be followed in building relations, cultural ties and joint cooperation between countries.

Among the pictures include world cultural heritage sites such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven, as well as iconic Olympic venues like the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube, and beloved giant pandas displaying how the megacity succeeds in becoming a world-renowned tourist destination.

Abdulaziz Al Anzy, a Qatari civil engineer accompanied with family members said on the occasion that these photos rekindled many of the good memories in Beijing.

"I love Beijing, particularly love the city in winter, as it's the first place where I've ever seen snow. I hope there will be more events like this in the future to bridge both countries through tradition, culture and art. China is truly beautiful, and the Chinese people are very friendly.

He added that he often tell his family members and friends that they must visit China to experience it for themselves.

Doha, 14 Sept. 2023

Emphasizing a future vision for Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry,  QatarEnergy announced on Thursday that Qatargas has changed its name to “QatarEnergy LNG”.

With a new name and logo, “QatarEnergy LNG” will continue to deliver on its commitment to safety, environmental protection, flawless project delivery and the reliability and efficiency of its production facilities.

This exciting landmark comes as part of the increasing international recognition of Qatar’s role in meeting the world's growing need for energy, particularly natural gas – the cleanest of all fossil fuels. It also reflects QatarEnergy’s continued commitment to LNG as a critical source of energy for decades to come and a vital enabler of the energy transition.

Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, highlighted the importance of this transformation as part of a historic evolution that is reshaping Qatar’s energy industry, particularly through the flagship LNG sector.

Al-Kaabi also hailed the leading role Qatargas has played over the past four decades and said: “Over the course of 39 years, Qatargas has been a pioneer of the LNG industry helping place the State of Qatar firmly on the global LNG map and enhancing its leading position as a safe, reliable and trustworthy LNG supplier.

Today, ‘QatarEnergy LNG’ carries this legacy forward well into the 21st century helping meet the world’s growing energy demand, placing LNG at the center of a realistic energy transition, and playing a critical role in safeguarding energy security and eliminating energy poverty.”

Al-Kaabi added: “While we recognize the tremendous value that the Qatargas brand has accumulated over time, we believe that this evolution will further strengthen Qatar’s global position by creating and leveraging a stronger salient link to the QatarEnergy brand to deliver even more value to the State of Qatar, its customers and the broader stakeholders’ ecosystem. In this context, we are reaffirming our belief in the future of LNG as a primary source of energy for decades to come and placing greater emphasis on the central position LNG occupies in our strategic priorities, development efforts, and energy investments.”

Concluding his remarks, State Minister for Energy Affairs Al-Kaabi said: “We are very proud of Qatargas, its people and its legacy and achievements over the past 39 years and we look forward to a new era under the new name and brand that will herald new achievements and greater gains for the LNG industry and for our stakeholders across the globe.”

Established in 1984 as Qatargas, 'QatarEnergy LNG' is a unique global energy operator in terms of size, service and reliability. It currently operates 14 LNG production trains and is at the center of QatarEnergy’s efforts to raise Qatar’s LNG production capacity to 126 million tons per annum.

Doha, 11 Sept. 2023

The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) marked a significant step towards its flagship event, the 7^thSummit of Heads of State and Government, by convening the 4th High-Level Ad-Hoc Working Group (HLAHWG) meeting today at the GECF Secretariat. This gathering sets the stage for the Summit, scheduled to take place on 2 March 2024 in Algiers, Algeria, with associated events commencing on 29 February.

The HLAHWG, comprising representatives from GECF member countries, including Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, UAE, and Venezuela, oversees the preparations for the upcoming edition of this biennial gathering.

During the session, the Algerian delegation presented comprehensive updates on the ongoing preparations, as well as insights into the Summit's draft agenda and draft declaration.

The GECF Summit represents a pivotal moment for member countries and the global energy community. It serves as a platform for fostering international cooperation, addressing critical energy challenges, and shaping the future of the gas industry.

Secretary General, GECF Eng. Mohamed Hamel said on this occasion that 'As the countdown begins to the 7^thSummit of Heads of State and Government, the GECF looks forward to welcoming leaders, delegates, and stakeholders from across the world to Algiers, where strategic dialogues and collaborative efforts will chart the course for a sustainable, secure, and prosperous energy future'.

Eng. Mohamed Hamel from the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria assumed office as the fourth Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), the global platform of leading gas exporting countries.

He was appointed to the helm of the 18-country energy organisation at the 23rd GECF Ministerial Meeting, presided by the Plurinational State of Bolivia on 16 November 2021 for a period of two years commencing 1 January 2022, in accordance with the GECF Statute.

An engineer by profession, Eng. Mohamed Hamel is a familiar face in the energy sphere and brings a long and distinguished career to advance the GECF at a time when natural gas was emerging as a frontrunner to shape a stable, secure, and clean global energy landscape for the future.