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Beijing, 31 Dec. 2023 (Xinhua)

On New Year's Eve, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered his 2024 New Year message via China Media Group and the Internet.

The following is the full text of the message:

Greetings to you all! As energy rises after the Winter Solstice, we are about to bid farewell to the old year and usher in the new. From Beijing, I extend my best New Year wishes to each and every one of you!

In 2023, we have continued to forge ahead with resolve and tenacity. We have gone through the test of winds and rains, have seen beautiful scenes unfolding on the way, and have made plenty real achievements. We will remember this year as one of hard work and perseverance. Going forward, we have full confidence in the future.

This year, we have marched forward with solid steps. We achieved a smooth transition in our COVID-19 response efforts. The Chinese economy has sustained the momentum of recovery. Steady progress has been made in pursuing high-quality development. Our modernized industrial system has been further upgraded. A number of advanced, smart and green industries are rapidly emerging as new pillars of the economy. We have secured a bumper harvest for the 20th year in a row. Waters have become clearer and mountains greener. New advances have been made in pursuing rural revitalization. New progress has been made in fully revitalizing northeast China. The Xiong'an New Area is growing fast, the Yangtze River Economic Belt is full of vitality, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is embracing new development opportunities. Having weathered the storm, the Chinese economy is more resilient and dynamic than before.

This year, we have marched forward with robust steps. Thanks to years of dedicated efforts, China's innovation-driven development is full of energy. The C919 large passenger airliner entered commercial service. The Chinese-built large cruise ship completed its trial voyage. The Shenzhou spaceships are continuing their missions in space. The deep-sea manned submersible Fendouzhe reached the deepest ocean trench. Products designed and made in China, especially trendy brands, are highly popular with consumers. The latest models of Chinese-made mobile phones are an instant market success. New energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products are a new testimony to China's manufacturing prowess. Everywhere across our country, new heights are being scaled with dogged determination, and new creations and innovations are emerging every day.

This year, we have marched forward in high spirits. The Chengdu FISU World University Games and the Hangzhou Asian Games presented spectacular sports scenes, and Chinese athletes excelled in their competitions. Tourist destinations are full of visitors on holidays, and the film market is booming. The "village super league" football games and "village spring festival gala" are immensely popular. More people are embracing low-carbon lifestyles. All these exhilarating activities have made our lives richer and more colorful, and they mark the return of bustling life across the country. They embody people's pursuit of a beautiful life, and present a vibrant and flourishing China to the world.

This year, we have marched forward with great confidence. China is a great country with a great civilization. Across this vast expanse of land, wisps of smoke in deserts of the north and drizzles in the south invoke our fond memory of many millennium-old stories. The mighty Yellow River and Yangtze River never fail to inspire us. Discoveries at the archeological sites of Liangzhu and Erlitou tell us much about the dawn of Chinese civilization. The ancient Chinese characters inscribed on oracle bones of the Yin Ruins, the cultural treasures of the Sanxingdui Site, and the collections of the National Archives of Publications and Culture bear witness to the evolution of Chinese culture. All this stands as testament to the time-honored history of China and its splendid civilization. And all this is the source from which our confidence and strength are derived.

While pursuing its development, China has also embraced the world and fulfilled its responsibility as a major country. We held the China-Central Asia Summit and the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and hosted leaders from across the world at many diplomatic events held in China. I also paid visits to a number of countries, attended international conferences, and met many friends, both old and new. I shared China's vision and enhanced common understandings with them. No matter how the global landscape may evolve, peace and development remain the underlying trend, and only cooperation for mutual benefit can deliver.

Along the way, we are bound to encounter headwinds. Some enterprises had a tough time. Some people had difficulty finding jobs and meeting basic needs. Some places were hit by floods, typhoons, earthquakes or other natural disasters. All these remain at the forefront of my mind. When I see people rising to the occasion, reaching out to each other in adversity, meeting challenges head-on and overcoming difficulties, I am deeply moved. All of you, from farmers in the fields to workers on factory floors, from entrepreneurs blazing the trail to service members guarding our country -- indeed, people from all walks of life -- have done your very best. Each and every ordinary Chinese has made an extraordinary contribution! You, the people, are the ones we look to when we fight to prevail over all difficulties or challenges.

Next year will mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. We will steadfastly advance Chinese modernization, fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts, speed up building the new development paradigm, promote high-quality development, and both pursue development and safeguard security. We will continue to act on the principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, promoting stability through progress, and establishing the new before abolishing the old. We will consolidate and strengthen the momentum of economic recovery, and work to achieve steady and long-term economic development. We will deepen reform and opening up across the board, further enhance people's confidence in development, promote vibrant development of the economy, and redouble efforts to boost education, advance science and technology and cultivate talents. We will continue to support Hong Kong and Macao in harnessing their distinctive strengths, better integrating themselves into China's overall development, and securing long-term prosperity and stability. China will surely be reunified, and all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Our goal is both inspiring and simple. Ultimately, it is about delivering a better life for the people. Our children should be well taken care of and receive good education. Our young people should have the opportunities to pursue their careers and succeed. And our elderly people should have adequate access to medical services and elderly care. These issues matter to every family, and they are also a top priority of the government. We must work together to deliver on these issues. Today, in our fast-paced society, people are all busy and face a lot of pressure in work and life. We should foster a warm and harmonious atmosphere in our society, expand the inclusive and dynamic environment for innovation, and create convenient and good living conditions, so that the people can live happy lives, bring out their best, and realize their dreams.

As I speak to you, conflicts are still raging in some parts of the world. We Chinese are keenly aware of what peace means. We will work closely with the international community for the common good of humanity, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and make the world a better place for all.

Right at this moment, when the lights in millions of homes light up the evening sky, let us all wish our great country prosperity, and let us all wish the world peace and tranquility! I wish you happiness in all the four seasons and success and good health in the year ahead!

Thank you!

Doha, 29 Dec. 2023

Qatar Rail announced recently it's achievements during last 12 months highlighting upcoming milestones for the next year and upcoimng plans, underscored by strategic priorities.

Dr. Abdulla Bin Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al Subaie, Managing Director & CEO of Qatar Rail chaired the Annual Townhall staff meeting 2023.

Doha Metro has emerged as a key player in the public transportation system, especially after outstanding success in delivering the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,

Doha Metro provides safe, reliable, comfortable and most.economical mobility solution, connecting key destinations in Doha to the residents and visitors.

Dr Abdulla Al Subaie in his address  on the occasion said, 'The Townhall event serves as a platform to recall on success and guiding our endeavours towards enhancing performance and achieving excellence in the implementation of future projects.

He added that Qatar Rail projects play a pivotal role in realizing Qatar's 2030 vision and serving the integrated public transportation system in the country”.

He said, ' The success we witness is an outcome of numerous years of dedicated work and collaborative efforts from teams across the company. The legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stands as a testament to these collective endeavours, and we are eager to maintain the momentum of achievement in the upcoming phase of our plans.”

A presentation on the occasion showcased the notable achievements of Doha Metro project and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Doha Metro since its launch on 8th May 2019 until end of 1st week of  December 2023 recorded more than 145 million passengers.

Demonstrating Qatar Rail's unwavering commitment to continually enhance customer experiences, the Metro has achieved an outstanding overall customer satisfaction rate of 99.79%.

Furthermore, the annual rolling AFR (Accident Frequency Rate) recorded an impressive 0.01, attesting to the system's safety.

Additionally, during the 12 months between November 2022 and October 2023, the metro's performance achieved 99.96% in terms of regularity, 99.86% in punctuality, and 99.98% in the availability of service.

According to a survey conducted by Ipsos, the public holds a highly favorable view of the Doha Metro, with nearly 90% of respondents believing it to be a secure mode of transportation that alleviates traffic congestion and enhances accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

During the year 2023, Doha Metro continued its efforts to support the hosting of various key events such as Expo 2023 Doha, Qatar Grand Prix 2023, Geneva Motor Show, the Amir Cup 2023, and AFC Champions League.

On April 24, 2023, Doha Metro marked the highest number of passengers in one day during this year, with 234,525 passengers safely transported.

Additionally, Qatar Rail played an active role in raising awareness and advocating for health, safety, and sustainability in the community.

Regarding sustainability, the company supported and participated in the MoT Sustainable Transportation and Legacy for Generations conference and exhibition, contributed to Expo 2023 Doha through public community workshops utilizing recycled materials, and achieved the GSAS platinum certification for sustainable operations at Al Bidda station.

In the realm of health and safety initiatives, Qatar Rail proactively promoted employee well-being and community involvement through diverse sports events.

The Qatar Rail Tennis Open Tournament offered a platform for the community to engage in a healthful and competitive environment. The Rail Squash League played a significant role in fostering an active lifestyle. Moreover, the company arranged weekly Padel Training Sessions exclusively for Qatar Rail staff, promoting physical activity and skill development.

Qatar Rail also showcased its dedication to social responsibility by actively participating in World Blood Donor Day 2023, underscoring the importance of blood donation for the overall well-being of the community in addition Qatar facilitated several visits for schools’ students to foster public transportation education and create a more informed and engaged young community that values and supports sustainable transportation options.

Furthermore, the Doha Metro section in KidZania attracts many young visitors each year, providing them with an interactive and enjoyable way to learn about the Doha Metro.

To foster employee engagement a voting session titled 'Voice of Employees' was conducted during the meeting. This session sought to elicit opinions and suggestions from participating employees on key topics. These included the company's role in contributing to Qatar's National Vision 2030, and the alignment of Qatar Rail’s current culture with its core values.

The long-term strategic priorities were also outlined, with an emphasis on increasing ridership while delivering safe, reliable, and efficient operations, enhancing business efficiency, and building national capacities.

2023 event recognized and celebrated the contributions and successes of individuals and teams  and were honoured with Managing Director Awards.

This recognition is part of Qatar Rail's efforts to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of its employees and mark their significant contributions to achieving the company's strategic goals and values.

In his concluded remarks, Dr Subaie expressed his gratitude and appreciation to all employees of Qatar Rail.

He emphasised the importance of collective efforts in achieving strategic objectives and shaping the future successes of Qatar Rail.

 

 

 

Doha, 28 Dec 2023

QatarEnergy has announced a five-year crude oil supply agreement with Shell International Eastern Trading Company, Singapore (Shell).

The agreement stipulates the supply of up to 18 million barrels per annum of Qatar Land and Qatar Marine crude oil to Shell with effective January 2024.

Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, President and CEO of QatarEnergy, said: “We are delighted to sign our first ever five-year crude sales agreement.

This agreement further strengthens QatarEnergy’s relationship with Shell, which is not only a reliable crude oil off-taker, but also a major customer and a strategic partner of QatarEnergy.

He said, 'We look forward to building on our historic relationship and hope we achieve greater success with Shell', he said.

The agreement highlights QatarEnergy’s strategy in establishing longer-term strategic business relationship and cooperation.

QatarEnergy and Shell have a long-standing strategic partnership through several shared investments in the energy industry in Qatar and globally, including QatarEnergy LNG projects, the Pearl GTL Plant, and several other joint investments.

Tashkent, 19 Dec. 2024 (UNODC/QNA)

The Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award, an annual event organized under the patronage of Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Center of Qatar in support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), recently awarded nine individuals / organizations, winners in the award’s five categories.

This event marked the 7th iteration of this award, following ceremonies in Vienna, Geneva, Kuala Lumpur, Kigali, Tunis, and Doha.

Since 2016, the Award has celebrated the work of 51 winners from 39 countries, with 14 from Africa, 14 from Europe, 8 from the Americas, 7 from Asia, 5 from the Middle East region, and 3 from Oceania. Of the winners since 2016, 17 have been entities, 12 have been women, and 22 have been men.

This year, the International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award ceremony was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. To commemorate the Award, Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani;  President of Republic of Uzbekistan. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Representatives from UNODC and a number of visiting dignitaries unveiled a 12m statue outside the Tashkent City Congress Hall immediately prior to the ceremony.

At the statue unveiling ceremony, The Amir of Qatar presented a certificate of appreciation to  Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Republic of Uzbekistan, in recognition of his commitment, and the commitment of the people of Uzbekistan, to the fight against corruption.

Both the leaders awarded the winners of each category with a certificate and trophy in presence of  representatives from UNODC; ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, visiting dignitaries and over 1,200 people during the ceremony held at Tashkent City Congress Hall.

On the margins of the Award ceremony was the First Meeting of the International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award Winners Network and the accompanying Integrity Champions Forum, held over two days with 6 high-level sessions.

This year’s event was delivered with the support of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award is given to recipients according to five distinct categories, which are: Lifetime or Outstanding Achievement, Academic Research and Education, Youth Creativity and Engagement, Innovation / Investigative Journalism, and Safeguarding Sports from Corruption. Recognized in the 2023 International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award ceremony were:

Lifetime or Outstanding Achievement

Mr. Jose Ugaz is a Peruvian criminal defense attorney who has served as ad-hoc State Attorney of Peru in several corruption cases, most notably the Fujimori-Montesinos case in 2000, one of the biggest corruption cases in Latin American history. In 14 months, Ugaz’s office opened more than 200 separate cases against 1500 members of then-President Fujimori’s crime network. As a result of these actions, all the leaders of this criminal organization were convicted, including Fujimori and the former head of the country’s intelligence services, Vladimiro Montesinos. During his time as State Attorney of Peru, $205mn in assets were frozen abroad, and $75mn of stolen funds was successfully recovered.

In 2002, he became President of PROETICA, Transparency International’s chapter in Peru, and later held positions on the boards of Transparency International and its chapters in Brazil and Ukraine. In 2011, he was elected chair of the International Board of Transparency International for the 2014.2017 period. Mr. Ugaz has also served as a member of the UN Peacekeeping Mission and the UN Election Observer Mission for El Salvador, and from 2004-2006, served at the World Bank’s Institutional Integrity Office, the World Bank’s anti-corruption unit.
Mr. Ugaz is an international speaker and author of several books about corruption and has been nominated as an eminent practitioner by international lawyer rankings.

Academic Research and Education

Dr Jon S.T. Quah has been working in the field of anti-corruption since 1977. Before his retirement, he was Professor of Political Science at the National University of Singapore, focusing on corruption and governance in Asian countries.  He is the author of 120 publications related to the fight against corruption, the most well-known of which is his 2013 publication: Curbing Corruption in Asian countries: An Impossible Dream? His recommendations for an effective approach to anti-corruption call for a single completely independent anti-corruption agency and the cultivation of political will to fight corruption. This two-pronged approach is taught extensively across the world.

Dr Quah has been a consultant to the UN, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Macau Government, and the World Bank, among others.

Dr Sunčana Roksandić is an associate professor and Chief of the Department of Criminal Law, Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb. Her research and teaching focuses on the study of organized corruption on national, transnational and international level, and she introduced the Economic Criminal Law and Transitional Justice course within her faculty. She is the winner of the annual award of the Society of University Teachers and Scientists of the University of Zagreb for the best young scientist in the field of social sciences, and recipient of the 2023 Acknowledgment of Appreciation of the Center for Forensic Examinations, Research and Expertise for her exceptional contribution to scientific cooperation aimed at combating crime in Croatia.

Dr Roksandic is a president of the Council for implementation of the Code of conduct of highest government officials in Croatia and a member of the GONG Council, an NGO focused on enhancing democratic processes and institutions. She is also a member of the International Chamber of Commerce Croatia - Special working group on anti-corruption.

Youth Creativity and Engagement

All 4 Integrity, an anti-corruption organization based in Portugal, is the creator of the first ever Anti-Corruption Literacy in Schools program, RED Escolas, for grades 7 to 12. This program, which started in Portugal, has been offered in Ireland, France, Brazil, China, Angola and Mozambique, and will soon be implemented in the US, Chile, and Argentina. To date, the RED Escolas programme has reached 8,900 students and 278 teachers in 126 schools. The success of this programme has led the Portuguese ministry of education and the National Anti-Corruption Authority of Portugal to invite All 4 Integrity to join several taskforces to help advance a culture of integrity in the country.

Alongside the REDEscolas programme, All 4 Integrity also organizes and delivers the Prémio Tágides, an anti-corruption award open to the Portuguese diaspora globally under the High Patronage of the President of Portugal, and the Tech4Integrity Initiative which promotes the mobilization of tech and data firms on issues of open data, transparency dashboards and advanced anti-corruption Artificial Intelligence tools.  Their latest initiative, The Academy, is a network of scholars and professionals from around the country who customize hands-on anti-corruption and transparency trainings for the private sector to promote a culture of organizational integrity.

Ms Damaris Aswa is the founder of Youth 4 Integrity Building, an NGO that aims to bring young people together to amplify their voice against corruption. Through this organization, Ms Aswa empowers individuals and communities with the necessary tools to uphold integrity, democracy, and social justice at a local level. Ms Aswa is also a founding member and advisory committee member of Democracy Moves, a global movement for democracy led by young people with 250 active members. Furthermore, she currently serves as an Anti-Corruption Syndicate at Voice1 Africa. She has directly provided training on integrity issues for over 100 teachers, 500 integrity club members, and 1000 students in secondary schools across Kenya, and has developed an integrity handbook and student anti-corruption guidebook. She has also developed an anti-corruption app, IntegrityLink, which was released in 2023.

Innovation / Investigative Journalism

Ms Clare Rewcastle-Brown is one of the primary investigators who uncovered the 1MDB scandal in Malaysia. The evidence she uncovered and publicized led to a number of high-profile prosecutions, including those of former prime minister Najib Razak and his accomplices.  She is the founder of the Sarawak Report, an investigative website cataloguing and publicising corruption cases both in Malaysia and globally. Alongside her work related to 1MDB, her other exposés have focused on the questionable links between politics and business in the UK, and the influence of wealthy individuals on political decision-making.  Her current investigative series, London Laundromat, highlights the issue of money laundering through the financial system in London.

Ms Rewcastle-Brown’s work has been recognized by Fortune Magazine, in which she was listed in 2016 as one of the World’s 50 Most Influential Figures, while in 2018 she received the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ Guardian Award for International Fraud Reporting.

Mr Phil Mason was a UK Civil Servant for 35 years, where he spearheaded the anti-corruption work of the Department for International Development. He was one of the first anti-corruption experts to highlight the importance of anti-corruption measures not only in the country receiving international aid, but also in the country or organization delivering this aid.  Under his guidance, the Department for Overseas Development established aid-funded UK law enforcement units to investigate and recover stolen assets in the UK originating from developing countries, as well as to pursue bribery by British companies in developing countries.

He was part of the negotiating team of UNCAC where he proposed the structure and content of the provisions on prevention, and he also headed the Department for International Development’s overseas territory department as well as the anti-corruption team. He was awarded an OBE in 2015 for services to the UK’s international anti-corruption policy.

Safeguarding Sports from Corruption

Mr Waihiga Mwaura began his career as an investigative reporter in the sports arena, after which he moved to investigations related to public service and governance.  He is the recipient of the 2021 Media Council Investigative Journalism award, the 2018 BBC Komla Dumor award, and the 2015 Mo Amin Award. In 2021, his investigative work contributed to the conviction of a Kenyan Sports Minister for corruption and mismanagement within his ministry.

His journalistic endeavours have uncovered a series of wrongdoings, including doping scandals, irregular athlete nationality transfers and misappropriation of sports funding by Kenyan officials during the Rio Olympics, where he also declined a substantial illegal payment. Additionally, he uncovered a corruption scandal amounting to 190 million Kenyan Shillings at a prominent Kenyan University in 2019. More recently he has dedicated his efforts to exposing the trafficking of African workers by unscrupulous agents to other countries.

Mr Shantanu Guha Ray is an Indian investigative journalist whose work has resulted some of India’s most public exposés. He uncovered and publicised massive corruption in the Indian Cricket Board related to spot fixing and match fixing in domestic and international cricket. He also wrote a book on this topic, Fixed: Cash and Corruption in Cricket.

Alongside investigations into sports corruption, Mr Guha Ray’s other work has uncovered corruption in other fields, such as the mislabeling and export of blood diamonds from the mines of Angola and Botswana to diamond dealers in India. He also uncovered a programme of systematic corruption in the allocation of coal extraction contracts orchestrated by members of an Indian political party, which resulted in misappropriated government funds estimated at USD $10 billion.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev praised the global efforts made by Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in the fight against corruption alongside other nations, stating that the State of Qatar has become a leading country in integrity and transparency, and its most important advocates globally.

He congratulated all the winners of the prestigious award and wished them success and happiness in all their responsible work.

He expressed his deep thanks to Amir of Qatar, the founder of the award, and to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), for organizing this event in his country. He furthermore congratulated the government and people of the State of Qatar on the occasion of the country's National Day.

Uzbek president said that under the wise leadership of Amir of State of Qatar, State of Qatar is living in a spirit of renewal and is making major changes. It has accomplished great successes reflected in the hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), Expo 2023 Doha, and many other international events that prove that the State of Qatar has become a global center for cooperation and diplomacy, President Mirziyoyev added.

President Mirziyoyev noted that the relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Uzbekistan have reached great levels due to serious dialogue, constructive discussions and large joint projects, and organizing the ACE Award in Uzbekistan symbolizes the harmony and compatibility of goals between the two sides.

He said that establishing a global award in combating corruption and approving it on all continents deserves global recognition since fighting corruption is a sacred duty for every honorable person, democratic society and country.

He proposed the establishment of a regional research center on corruption issues to enhance communication, exchange experiences and conduct scientific research, as well as establishing a global media forum to benefit from the capabilities of journalists to fight corruption and increase their access to information.

Alexandre Zouev, Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions in the Department of Peace Operations at the United Nations (OROLSI) in New York and , Dr. Ali bin Fetais Al Marri. UN Special Advocate on the Prevention of Corruption also addressed on the occasion.

 

 

Doha, 18 Dec. 2023 (QT)

By Ashraf Siddiqui

Commission on Governing Risks of Climate Overshoot Member and former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Hina Rabbani Khar has praised the unique and strong role being played by the leadership of the State of Qatar in its continued mediation and facilitation efforts in conflict resolution through dialogue.

Talking to Qatar Tribune on the sidelines of recently concluded 21st Doha Forum, Khar said that Qatar has achieved a position of global prestige as a mediator and facilitator in conflicts resolution through dialogue as well as for its hard work towards regional peace and security.

“Earlier, we witnessed the role played by Qatar in the agreement between the US and Taliban in the Afghanistan conflict, and now the role played alongside the United States and Egypt in arranging the temporary ceasefire and prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israeli occupation forces.

Moreover, Qatar has been providing generous support and aid for many years to the Palestinians in Israeli-occupied land of Palestine,” she said.

Talking about Doha Forum outcome, she lauded the excellent professional organisational skills in holding the event in addition to the very selective topics discussed by the leading experts from various regions around the world.

The former Pakistani minister said she shares the belief, evident in the objectives and initiative of the leadership of State of Qatar through Doha Forum, that there is only one way to find solution to any conflict and to have regional peace and security – discussion and dialogue.

Hina Rabbani Khar participated in panel discussion on ‘US-China Competition – How should Middle Powers Respond’.

London, 17 Dec. 2023 (Anadolu)

Expressing solidarity with the Anadolu journalist who was attacked by Israeli forces recently, Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot said targeting journalists is a  'long-held Israeli policy'.

;Israel's biggest enemy is the truth',  Zomlot said of the Israeli attack on an Anadolu photojournalist on Friday.

Israeli forces violently attacked Mustafa Alkharouf, a photojournalist for Türkiye's premier news agency Anadolu, who was on assignment in occupied East Jerusalem.

"I would like to say that this has been a long-held Israeli policy of targeting journalists," the Palestinian ambassador said, adding that Israel has been doing so for decades.

Recalling the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, he said told Anadolu over the phone: 'This is a time when doctors come here to reject the targeting of hospitals when journalists should come together to reject the targeting of journalists'.

'I think Israel has come out this time clear that it is after every one of us not only in Palestine but worldwide it is after the truth it wants to commit its atrocities in the darkness', Zomlot noted.

However, he added, now everybody is saying, 'You commit your war crimes and crimes against humanity, but not in darkness, we will expose it'.

Friday's incident occurred as a group of Palestinians gathered to pray in the Wadi al-Joz neighbourhood near the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque owing to Israeli army restrictions on weekly Friday prayers at the mosque, which was in their 10th week.

Israeli police, who had set up barricades in the area, first pulled their weapons on Alkharouf, who was covering the news, and then threw him to the ground, beating and kicking him.

Alkharouf suffered severe blows to the face and body and was taken by ambulance to the Makassed Hospital in occupied East Jerusalem.

Israeli police also attacked cameraman Faiz Abu Ramila, who was with Alkharouf.

The incident came amid the over two-month Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, killing at least 18,800 Palestinians, mostly children and women, and dozens of journalists, along with hundreds of killings and arrests in the occupied West Bank.

Israeli authorities announced that police officers seen in the video attacking journalist Alkharouf had been suspended.

Aljazeera News reported that Israel’s war on Gaza is the deadliest for media workers ever recorded, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

At least 90 journalists and staff have been killed since the conflict began on October 7.

They have mainly been Palestinians covering the story as international news outlets have been prevented from entering the Gaza Strip by the Israeli military.

The latest to die is Al Jazeera’s Samer Abudaqa, who was reporting from a United Nations-run school in the southern city of Khan Younis when it was targeted by a drone attack.

There is mounting evidence that the Israeli military is deliberately putting the media directly in the firing line.

International calls for accountability for the unprecedented killing of journalists since October 7 are growing.

Beijing, Dec. 17 (Xinhua)

The value of China's privately offered funds stood at 20.61 trillion yuan (about 2.90 trillion U.S. dollars) at the end of November, industrial data shows.

The figure was up from 20.59 trillion yuan a month ago, according to the Asset Management Association of China.

A breakdown of the total shows that equity investment funds, with a total size of 11.12 trillion yuan, were the largest category, followed by stock investment funds and venture investment funds.

The number of registered privately offered funds stood at 153,698 by the end of November, and 21,699 institutions managed these funds.

Established in 2012, the association is a self-regulatory organization that represents China's mutual fund industry.

 

Doha, 16 Dec 2023

By Ashraf Siddiqui

The recently formed Committees by the Chamber of Commerce of Qatar and Chamber of Commerce of Iran are expected to have their maiden meeting in February 2024 in order to boost trade relations between both the countries, Ambassador of Iran to Qatar,  Dr Ali Salehabadi has said.

In his interview with Ashraf Siddiqui, Dr Salehabadi praised the outcome of the recently held 9th Qatar-Iran Joint Commission of Economic Cooperation meeting in Tehran headed by Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani and Iran’s Minister of Energy, Ali Akbar Mehrabian, and participated as member of Qatar's delegation was also Qatar Chamber Chairman, Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani.

Dr Salehabadi said the decision to form these committees was taken during the 9th Qatar-Iran Joint Commission of Economic Cooperation meeting and each side will consist of 15 to 20 business community members.

Dr Ali Salehabadi holds doctorate in financial management from Tehran University (2003) and have extensive experience in financial, trade and capital market sectors. Before his appointment as ambassador to State of Qatar, he served as Governor of Central Bank of Iran (2021-23), earlier he held positions of President and Managing Director of Export Bank of Iran (2015-21); In his young age of 28 was appointed as President, Securities and Exchange Organization (SEO).
His appointment as ambassador to Qatar reflects Iran government's profound aspiration to establish and develop robust economic and trade relations between both the nations.

Talking about the recent visits of Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Hossein Amir Abdollahian to Qatar, the envoy said it pushed the relations between Iran and Qatar to an excellent level in all fields. “Fortunately, leaders from both sides are very positive; both are good friends to each other; and enjoy common and positive views on a number of regional and international issues which prepares ground for enhancing relations in various fields,” he said.

He added, “Because of close bilateral friendship and relations, we have wide areas of exchange of our views at different occasion. During recent visit of foreign minister of Iran to Qatar, he met Amir of State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AlThani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim; and other authorities during which they discussed various solutions to bring peace to the region.

He added that the talks between Qatar and Iran were mainly relating to Palestine, especially the Gaza situation. The ambassador expressed deep concern about the current situation facing the people in Palestine, particularly in Gaza. He asserted that the ongoing events in Gaza amount to genocide and there’s urgent need to halt it.

He said Israel must understand that Hamas cannot be eliminated, instead continuous use of force might lead other resistance groups in the region to join Palestinians in their just struggle for liberation from the Israeli occupied forces unlawful and illegal occupation. This, he warned, could escalate to further dire situation in the region.

In order to enhance trade relations with other countries, sanctioned hit Iran needs to improve and re-build it's infrastructure and efforts are being exerted in this area, former top financial chief of Iran  mentioned. He hoped that in coming years, economic relations of Iran with other countries specially with Qatar would be enhanced significantly and much stronger.
He pointed out that both sides have identified various projects in areas of non-sanctioned and discussions are under way about them. 'However, there are certain areas where by exerting some efforts, both sides can increase significant trade volume like agro produces and food sector, he stressed.
Former chief of financial sector of Iran was confident that the Chamber of Commerce of Qatar and Iran will be playing their role to enhance economic relations by collaborating with traders and experts.  He added that both sides are required to have regular discussions and meetings in this regard. This is the time, we need to exert our efforts, he stressed.
Talking about recently concluded Doha Forum, Iran’s envoy admired the high quality of organizing skills on holding such an amazing conference. He said that such a large number of statesmen and world experts of diversified areas from various regions of the world gathered to share their experiences and had fruitful discussions to  find solution of challenges the world is facing today - including issues like of Gaza, Sudan to Artificial Intelligence,  economic, energy, cyber and environmental issues,  has been very impressive and amazing.
Dr. Ali Salehabadi emphasized that Qatar has truly showcased its distinctive role, skills, and expertise across various domains, acting as a mediator and facilitator in conflict resolution through dialogues. The country has excelled in  hosting prestigious global conferences such as the Doha Forum, WISE and WISH. Furthermore, Qatar has demonstrated  its capabilities by organizing major international sports events, including 2022 FIFA World Cup; the ongoing Doha Expo 2023, the Upcoming Asian Football Tournament; the 2030 Asian Games and various exhibitions.
Expressing admiration, Irani envoy stated that Qatar is truly remarkable, leaving an impressive and significant impact on humanity and global society. As the Iranian ambassador in Qatar, he extended his gratitude to the Qatari people, the government, and the leadership for their initiatives spanning diverse fields.
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Doha, 16 Dec. 2023

Qatar Chamber  of Commerce (QC) hosted the 39th Meeting of the General Assembly of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture (ICCIA) today on December 16, at the Sheraton Grand Doha Hotel.

General Assembly of ICCIA took off with the key note speech of Abdullah Saleh Kamel, President of ICCIA, in presence of presidents and representatives from 28 countries, as well as a selection of economic leaders from the Islamic world.

In his speech, ICCIA President emphasized on the importance of combined efforts at all levels, to drive the development across OIC member countries, stating: "I call on the Board of Directors of all affiliated institutions to align with the Chamber's strategy aimed at empowering the private sector, and work in a real partnership with the Chamber as a founding entity, a genuine incubator, and a continuous supporter of these affiliated entities. Remember that as a private sector, we need an integrated system of services provided by all of these institutions, which are essential pillars for the success of our businesses".

Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, QC Chairman and First Vice-President of the ICCIA welcomed the esteemed attendees and expressed his appreciation for ICCIA efforts in promoting joint Islamic action, and harnessing the available potential to enhance trade exchange rates among Islamic countries, as well as achieve sustainable growth in various economic sectors.

He also affirmed Qatar's readiness to support the efforts aimed at enhancing economic cooperation among Islamic countries, in order to achieve the desired economic integration.

Sheikh Khalifa noted that despite the historical ties and close relations among Islamic nations, their intra-trade remains modest and doesn’t reflect the vast potential and tremendous natural resources they possess. He indicated that it doesn’t exceed 15% of the total trade of Islamic countries with the rest of the world.

He further emphasized the importance of streamlining procedures for the exchange of goods and services to boost intra-Islamic trade levels, in order to reach the Common Islamic Market.

Qatar Chamber Chief underscored the significance of promoting mutual meetings between representatives of the private sector and investors in Member States, as well as organising exhibitions to showcase Islamic products, opportunities, and investment incentives available in these countries.

Rifat Hisarciklioglo, Vice-President of ICCIA and President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye, praised ICCIA efforts in promoting business growth and improving economic conditions across the Islamic world.

Naghi Jabbarov, Director General of Department of Economic Affairs at OIC, delivered a speech on behalf the OIC Secretary General, stressing the ICCIA’s crucial role in mobilizing the Private Sector, and promoting the economic development of OIC Member States.

He announced the launch of the OIC Labour Centre, a specialized institution of OIC, to serve as an executing agency for implementing OIC resolutions and programmes in the domain of labour, employment and social protection.

The 39th GAM adopted the new name for the Chamber 'Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development', as recommended by ICCIA’s 35th Board of Directors meeting, held on July 17, 2023, in Baku, Azerbaijan.

It also approved the application for membership presented by the Federation of Islamic Associations in New Zealand (FIANZ) as an affiliated member of ICCIA, bringing the total number of member institutions in the Chamber to 67 members.

The meeting witnessed the election of the Board of Directors of Islamic Chamber Research and Information Center (ICRIC). Furthermore, the meeting reviewed the key achievements accomplished by the ICCIA General Secretariat during this year.

Qatar Chamber signed 2 MoU with Uganda and Djibouti Chambers

On the sidelines of the 39th General Assembly Meeting, 3 MOUs were signed; the first between Qatar Chamber and Uganda Chamber, second between Qatar Chamber and Djibouti, and the third between Azerbaijan Chamber (Ask) and Turkish Cyprus Chamber (Ktto).

ICCIA launches Empowering Palestine’s Economy Initiative

During the meeting, the ICCIA launches Empowering Palestine’s Economy Initiative to support Palestinians and enable them to face the catastrophic consequences befallen the country due to the occupation.

The initiative aims to enhance digital empowerment of its workforce and establishing a comprehensive system for distance education, connecting academic learning with professional applications, with a focus on the transition towards remote work. Additionally, it aims to bolster businesses by launching comprehensive financial initiatives and developing the infrastructure to support remote work, contributing to empowering Palestinians to participate in the global market and build a resilient economy.

The initiative's scope of work includes Remote Jobs Upskilling Platform, which includes remote jobs list and integrated learning modules for those interested in remote work, as well as E- Learning Hub includes training courses and specialized workshops, for soft skills enhancement and mastering remote work skills, thereby reducing unemployment rates, providing steady income, and enabling the community to achieve financial independence and overcome various economic obstacles.

In addition to Business Incubators to provide localized digital training centers, hold remote work webinars, and support entrepreneurs at global summits. As well as Collaborations with Universities, to offer scholarships and financial support to underprivileged students and support entrepreneurship, contributing to promoting innovation, creativity, and advancing the country's economy in a tangible manner.

The initiative’s funding mechanisms are Crowdfunding; collective fundraising to meet the financial needs of the initiative. Besides fostering a single or multiple projects that holds the donor’s name through a specified entity, and High-Profile Businessmen & Angel Investors donations.

In this regard, ICCIA invites individuals, businessmen, federations of chambers of commerce, private sector institutions, and international organizations to unite their efforts and collaborate in achieving the objectives of this initiative and empowering the Palestinian people to overcome the destruction and devastation befallen their country, as well as supporting economic growth for a better future for the entire Islamic nation.

Empowering Palestine’s Economy Initiative serves as a roadmap for achieving long-term economic stability, based on the relentless efforts of ICCIA to promote economic development, foster growth, and uplift various parts of the Islamic world. In this respect, as the sole representative of the private sector in Islamic countries, ICCIA reaffirms its commitment to cooperate with relevant institutions to lay the foundations of a bright economic future worldwide.

Tehran, 12 Dec. 2023 (QNA/IRNA)

9th Iran-Qatar Joint Economic Commission meeting held recently on December 9-11. The ceremony took place at the Iranian Energy Ministry building in Tehran last Monday.

Qatar delegation was headed by Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, and Irani delegation was headed by Minister of Energy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ali-Akbar Mehrabian.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani, Chairman, Qatar Chamber of Commerce also participated as member of the Qatar delegation

Both sides discussed on various possible areas where further bilateral cooperation could be possible to enhance including trade and industry, customs, handicrafts, health, science and research, transportation, sea shipping, communications, information technology, agriculture, free zones, culture, sports, and labor.

The two sides also discussed the progress achieved in the recommendations of the joint technical working committee.

In his speech during the meeting, Minister of Commerce and Industry of State of Qatar praised the close and distinguished relations between the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

He underlined that the relations were deepened by the official visits exchanged between the two countries and the common desire of the countries' leadership to develop and diversify bilateral cooperation.

The meeting represents an important opportunity to follow up on the results achieved during the previous session of the Joint Committee.

It also reflects the mutual keenness of both sides to continue efforts to enhance joint work between the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Iran, Minister of Commerce and Industry said.

He expressed his hope that this meeting would contribute to expanding and diversifying the strategic partnership between the two countries, opening new horizons and creating opportunities for the business sector and Qatari and Iranian companies to expand and grow in the markets.

He also expressed his confidence in the contribution of the Qatar-Iran Business Council to developing intra-trade, facilitating the flow of goods and services, and strengthening the partnership between the business sectors of the two countries.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani noted the promising investment opportunities provided by the State of Qatar and called on Iranian investors and companies to explore them and benefit from them to establish investment partnerships that derive success from the common visions and goals of the two countries.

IRNA reported that Iran’s Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian called for boosting bilateral relations in the energy sector, the development of renewable energy projects as well as the connection of the two countries’ power grids.

He said that the two countries reached good agreements during the latest meeting of their joint economic commission, which he expressed hope that would positively impact the bilateral economic cooperation.

Mehrabian said that the agreements reached cover cultural and social fields as well as infrastructure.

The two sides agreed during the 9th meeting of the Qatar-Iran Joint Committee to take the necessary steps to move ahead in the approach of consolidating trade, investment and industrial cooperation, with the aim of increasing the volume of trade exchange and facilitating the flow of goods, services and investments between the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The annual trade between Iran and Qatar can reach $1 billion, as per Director of the International Affairs Department of the Ministry of Energy,
Mojtaba Akbari. As per 'Iran Daily', Akbari made the remark in the 9th meeting of the Iran-Qatar Joint Economic Cooperation Commission in Tehran, adding that the amount of export of goods and equipment to Qatar from Iran is about $200 million a year, while Iran is doing its best to increase this amount it to $1 billion, IRNA reported.

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