New York, 23 Sept 2024 (Anadolu)

The 79th UN General Assembly, deemed one of the largest global diplomatic events, will kick off Tuesday in New York.

The General Assembly is held annually at UN headquarters in New York, bringing together the heads of state and government of member states. It is to take place from Sept. 24-30.

The 79th session will be opened by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and will be chaired by Cameroonian President Philemon Yong. At least 133 heads of state and government, three vice presidents, 80 deputy prime ministers and 45 ministers are expected to attend.

In a tradition that has been maintained since 1955, Brazil will give the first speech after the presidents. After Brazil, the host country, the US, will take the floor.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will represent Türkiye and deliver his speech in the third row on the first day, following the US. Erdogan, who will address the General Assembly for the 14th time, is expected to draw attention to the situation in the Gaza Strip.

He is also expected to urge member states to stand against Israel's attacks.

iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, will address world leaders on Tuesday afternoon.

Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif will address the 193-member General Assembly on Sept 27, after going through a hectic round of engagements at the United Nations. He is scheduled to arrive today, Monday evening to lead Pakistan’s delegation at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Shehbaz Sharif said in a post on X that he would “present Pakistan’s perspective to the world, advocate our interests, and strengthen international partnerships”.

Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AlThani as reported by Qatar News Agency arrived today in New York. HH is expected to deliver a speech at the opening session on Tuesday. In his address, the Amir will address the constants of Qatar's policy, the state's positions towards contemporary challenges, and the most prominent local, Arab and international issues. Through his speech, the Amir of Qatar is also expected to renew Qatar's permanent commitment to working with the UN and strengthening partnership with its various agencies; so that common global challenges are confrontable and aspired goals are achievable.

Crises from Gaza to Haiti

UN leaders are meeting at a time when the number of crises, conflicts and wars is increasing. Thus, the number of crises from Gaza to Ukraine, and from Sudan to Haiti, are expected to be on the agenda.

It is expected that leaders will focus on Gaza, which the UN has previously described as 'hell on earth'.

In Gaza, along with emphasizing a cease-fire, member states are expected to highlight Israel’s violations of international law and UN resolutions, as well as the difficulties in delivering humanitarian aid to the region.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to speak the morning of Sept. 26, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled for the afternoon.

This year, the main theme of the UN General Assembly discussions is "Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations."

"Today's global order simply does not work for everyone. In fact, I would go further and say: it's not working for anyone," said Guterres. Therefore, it is expected that leaders will address the reform of the Security Council and the international financial architecture.

In addition to the high-level week, the "Summit of the Future" is to be held from Sept. 22-23, before the General Assembly. It will focus on adapting current international institutions to present-day challenges, while a high-level meeting on rising sea levels will discuss the fight against climate change.

Leaders are also expected to hold consultations on various issues such as sustainable development goals, antimicrobial resistance and nuclear disarmament.

Castro spoke for 296 minutes, Gaddafi for 100 minutes

General Assembly meetings have been held since 1946 since its establishment with 51 members. Leaders are expected to limit speeches to 15 minutes and touch on the main theme.

Many leaders' disregard for time limits, however, has led to memorable moments. One was Cuban President Fidel Castro’s 296-minute speech in 1960, followed by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s 100-minute address in 2009, where he tore up a page from the UN Charter.

Another notable moment from the General Assembly’s history is when former Soviet Union President Nikita Khrushchev banged the table with his fist and hit it with his shoe after becoming furious during a speech by the Philippines in 1960.

Former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s 2006 speech is also frequently referenced, where he called former US President George W. Bush, who had spoken a day earlier, "the devil."

In 2018, then-New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern attended the General Assembly with her 3-month-old baby, a moment that remains memorable.

Similarly, former US President Donald Trump's statement in 2017 that he would 'destroy North Korea', if necessary, also stands out. The General Assembly often sees delegations walking out of speeches that they "disapprove.”

Today, Turkish President Erdogan and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian held a closed-door meeting at the Turkish House on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York to discuss bilateral relations, Israel's attacks on Palestine and Lebanon, and well as regional and global developments.

It is "important" to take steps that serve peace against "Israel's aggression that threatens" regional security, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Today.

Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported that Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani;  President of the International Peace Institute, Prince Zeid bin Ra'ad Al Hussein;, and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell co-hosted on Sunday the 19th edition of the Ministerial Dinner on the Middle East, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) in New York.

During the ministerial dinner, the latest developments in the region and means to enhance regional security and stability were discussed.

Doha, 23 Sept. 2023

QatarEnergy has witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish Qatar Salt Products Company (QSalt).

This strategic partnership, an initiative by QatarEnergy’s TAWTEEN localization program, brought together Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Company (MPHC) (40% share), Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Co. (QIMC) (30% share), and the Turkiye’s Atlas Yatirim Planlama (30% share). The new joint venture will build a salt production plant in the Um Al Houl area in Qatar, to be operated by Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) and Qatar Vinyl Company (QVC).

Present on the occasion were Sa'ad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs, President and CEO of QatarEnergy; Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Jabr Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company (QIMC); Nusret Argun, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Atlas Yatirim Planlama; senior executives from QatarEnergy and the participating companies.

Sa'ad Al-Kaabi said on the occasion that 'We are pleased to witness the establishment of this very important joint venture that will help enhance Qatar’s self-sufficiency by producing both industrial and table salts to meet local demand and to support regional and international exports'.

He congratulated all partners and stakeholders in Qatar Salt Products Company on this achievement, which he believes will further support the supply chain and industrial localization in the State of Qatar, as well as promote sustainable environmental practices.

Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Jabr Al Thani expressed delight at being part of this pioneering project, the first of its kind in the region, which employs advanced technology to utilize brine from the desalination process. He praised QatarEnergy’s role in boosting private sector contribution to the national economy.

Nusret Argun of Atlas Yatirim Planlama, said, 'We are proud to have come to the realization phase of this project, which we have taken part in every stage. This facility will be the first facility of the Middle East region and it will serve localization and supply security by meeting both Industrial and Food-grade Salt needs. As a Turkish company in Qatar, we are pleased to be involved in such a project'.

The new plant, which will be built at an estimated cost of about one billion Qatari Riyals, will also produce industrial salts essential for the petrochemical industry, along with Bromine, Potassium Chlorides, and demineralized water, which will be produced at a later stage, contributing to product diversification and economic growth.

This innovative facility will utilize reject water recovery from reverse osmosis (RO) desalination units, transforming waste from desalination processes into a valuable resource. With a production capacity of one million tons per annum, the plant will significantly reduce Qatar’s reliance on imported raw materials, addressing the current import of approximately 850,000 tons of table and industrial salts annually.

As part of the TAWTEEN program, the project will benefit from initiatives designed to enhance local content and support the growth of domestic industries. This collaboration highlights a strong public-private partnership aimed at achieving key national objectives.

Doha, 21 Sept 2024

Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), a sister concern of Qatar Foundation (QF)  recently organized a three-day program to introduce university students to tech innovation and entrepreneurship.

Comprising a series of workshops focused on AI-based product development, the craft of pitching, as well as one-on-one mentorship, the program concluded with a first-of-its-kind ‘pitching’ competition held on a moving tram around QF’s Education City.

The first edition of the ‘QSTP Ride and Pitch’ program - open to QF partner universities - drew keen participation of students from Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q); Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q); Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar (WCM-Q); Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU); and Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ), representing different countries including Qatar, Egypt, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Morocco, and the US.

Throughout the program students learned about ways to develop and enhance their entrepreneurial ideas under the guidance of nine mentors,  including business founders, professors, senior researchers and consultants.

Among some of the mentors were Bashar Hudhud, Co-Founder of QSTP-incubated startup, Class Tap; Mohammed Zebian, Acceleration Program Manager, QSTP; and Rayane Fodil, Head of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Innovation Cafe Consultancy.

On the final day of the program, the students competed in a two-minute pitch in front of a panel of judges, three of whom were with the participants on the tram while two were watching live. The one-hour tram ride familiarized students with the thrill, unpredictability, and agility that startup founders often face as part of their journey.

One of the judges, Hamad Al Hajri, Founder & CEO of Snoonu, appreciated the initiative, saying he thoroughly enjoyed the pitching competition. “In the world of innovation, everything has to be innovative. The pitching competition  inside a tram is reflective of how startups are in real life. The constant movement including the shaking and bumping and students trying to balance themselves - this is what the startups experience on a daily basis”.

“I think most of us as judges came in thinking that we would inspire the participants but they actually inspired us. They have given us hope that there are many intelligent ideas from young people just waiting to be discovered. It is important that these young people have the resources and support they need not just from the government but also from the private sector to be able to flourish and benefit the local tech innovation ecosystem.”

Dr. Jack Lau, President of QSTP, said: “This was the most innovative pitching event that I have ever been to, taking advantage of what is indigenous to Qatar, QF, and Education City. I am grateful to QF for their support and equally  proud of our team for the organization of this wonderful event that presented students with a memorable experience.

“Pitching their ideas in an unconventional environment was part of the challenge participants had to face. We wanted this experience to be as near realistic as possible with unexpected and uncertain occurrences. For instance, there might have been an unstable internet connection or a noisy atmosphere but these were meant to be that way in order to throw a bit of a curveball at the participants, and they all did a wonderful job. We have received amazing feedback and are already preparing for the next, bigger edition of the program which we plan on opening up to all universities in Qatar.”

The first-place winner of the competition, Shugyla Karshygakyzy, a sophomore student from NU-Q, hailed the program as an ‘eye-opening experience.’ “I am grateful for the opportunity provided to us as part of the QSTP Ride and Pitch program. People around me were very supportive and encouraging. I truly appreciate the guidance I received from the mentors during the mentorship workshops as well as the opportunities to network and build connections.”

Shugyla’s idea is to leverage AI in a way that helps tackle the issue of low engagement, views and likes on Instagram and TikTok for content creators. She aims to create a platform that combines various AI tools that help with everything from content strategy and content editing to posting content on platforms. “For someone who doesn’t come from a strong tech background, it was amazing to learn from experts and see the possibility of turning my idea into reality." said Shugyla.

HBKU student Muhammad Saad and WCM-Q student Lujain Al-Emadi won second and third place respectively.

In addition to free mentorship hours with QSTP experts and a special booth at QSTP’s upcoming AI Week 2024, winners receive the opportunity to fast track to QSTP Innovation Programs to launch their startups and find relevant support. The first-place winner walked away with an iPad Pro while the second and third place winners received AirPods.

To learn more about QSTP programs, please visit: https://qstp.org.qa/.

Doha, 21 Sept. 2024

The 13th EU-GCC dialogues has provided further opportunity to prepare for the upcoming first-ever summit in history taking place in Brussels on October 16 at the level of heads of state and governments between the EU and the GCC under the chairmanship of Qatar.

There will be an event on EU-Qatar Food Security. A day will be dedicated to food security where the government and private sectors will join the academia to look into ways to create synergies.

The 13th EU-GCC Economic Dialogue was held recently at the Hotel Plaza Doha. Both sides discussed the key economic challenges, policy priorities, and regional and international risks related to security and stability.

It may be recalled that the first EU-GCC Economic Dialogue, hosted in 2003, was held within the framework of the two parties’ commitment to strengthening their cooperation. The dialogue discussed regional and international developments, especially addressing economic challenges and finding solutions to overcome them.

Editor www.asiantelegraphqatar.com talked to Dr Cristian Tudor, European Union envoy to State of Qatar on the sidelines of the EU-GCC Economic Dialogue. Dr Tudor replying to the various questions first praised Qatar’s hosting of the 13th EU-GCC Economic Dialogue, considering these dialogues as 'the appropriate way to promote strategic relations between the EU and the GCC states, and enhance cooperation between the two peoples'.

He said, 'As the link between politics and economy has never been so intertwined, so strong, therefore, the dialogue between EU and GCC will solidify at the economic and macroeconomic level'.

Tudor added: 'The main problem with geopolitics is that it is affecting the investment world and we see that economy, prosperity and everything is linked to stability. There is a lot of instability, a lot of volatility, and a lot of unknowns when you look at the world so the link between the EU and GCC is getting closer and closer; we have a lot of things to do.

'We have Russian aggression against Ukraine in Europe, in this region the war in Gaza and we have seen lately the risk of escalation. That’s why the EU from the beginning has been calling for a better world, for a truce, having called for a ceasefire.

Dr Tudor said that 'We are aligning ourselves very well with Qatar, with all our friends in the GCC. Therefore, this is an important occasion for the EU and GCC to exchange ideas, talk about the challenges that we are dealing with in Europe, and talk about the challenges that our friends in the GCC are dealing with. Our proximity, our policies on humanitarian, on aid, on the economy, we see a lot of interest growing in this region for what we call the twin digital and green transition', he added.

The EU envoy to the State of Qatar said that the 13th EU-GCC dialogues has provided further opportunity to prepare for the upcoming first-ever summit in history taking place in Brussels on October 16 at the level of heads of state and governments between the EU and the GCC under the chairmanship of Qatar.

He said that before the October summit, there will be an event on EU-Qatar Food Security. A day will be dedicated to food security where the government and private sectors will join the academia to look into ways to create synergies.

Dr Tudor also informed that a significant event is scheduled for November this year, which will be marking a new era in EU-GCC relations, as well as individual ties between the EU and member states like Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. He noted that the relationship between the EU and the GCC has always been multifaceted, with diverse connections across regions.

On bilateral trade and investment, he emphasized the importance of recognizing the EU as a political and economic alliance comprising 27 member-states, including Bulgaria and Romania in the east, as well as central and western European nations. “As both regions strengthen their political and economic ties, new opportunities for mutual investments are emerging.”

He noted that the Gulf states are increasingly becoming attractive destinations for external investments, with many EU companies expressing interest in entering the GCC market. “This growing interest paves the way for collaborative projects, co-investments, and joint ventures.”

Dr Tudor highlighted the potential for identifying common ground and exploring opportunities for growth across various sectors, including business, investments, tourism, and education.

Doha, 20 Sept. 2024

IFP Qatar has announced that the 9th edition of Hospitality Qatar will take place in partnership with Qatar Tourism and under the esteemed patronage of its Chairman, Saad bin Ali Al Kharji from November 12 to 14, 2024, at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC).

Hospitality Qatar is country’s leading international trade exhibition and conference for tourism, hospitality, and hotels, restaurants and cafes (HORECA). The expo attracts annually more than 150 exhibitors from suppliers and service providers in the hospitality, HORECA, and food and beverage (F&B) sectors from around the world. It also brings together leading investors and hospitality pioneers in Qatar to explore potential investment opportunities within the country's dynamic hospitality and tourism industry.

Haidar Mshaimesh, General Manager of IFP Qatar, said: "Hospitality Qatar has firmly established itself as one of the leading specialized events in the regional hospitality industry. It provides an unparalleled platform designed to showcase the latest products, streamline business ventures, enhance networking opportunities, and enable suppliers in the hospitality industry to connect with key decision-makers and buyers from top hotels, restaurants, and F&B outlets in Qatar. Therefore, this event is a significant boost for Qatar's hospitality sector, which is experiencing rapid growth amidst the current tourism boom in the country. This surge is not only advancing the hospitality sector but also positively influencing a range of interconnected industries."

He highlighted: “The ninth edition of Hospitality Qatar will feature a diverse range of activities with many firsts, including the Qatar Halal Forum 2024, a specialized conference that focuses on halal tourism and hospitality.

He added that Halal tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments in the global travel industry, with an estimated market value of more than $300 billion by 2026. Qatar ranks 6th in the Master card-Crescent rating Global Muslim Travel Index 2024, it also leads as the most accessible destination for Muslim travelers, and ranks third in the category of Muslim Women-Friendly destinations.

This highlights Qatar's emergence as a global leader in halal tourism, increasingly becoming the preferred destination for Muslim travelers worldwide. Catering to both the recreational needs and cultural sensitivity of visitors, Qatar's tourism sector is setting new benchmarks. The upcoming Qatar Halal Forum 2024 will address key topics including the future of halal hospitality, global trends in halal travel, integrating halal principles in hotel and tourism management, and marketing strategies tailored for halal tourism, featuring insights from global leaders and innovators. Additionally, the event will host live cooking competitions with over 400 chefs from Doha’s hotels and restaurants, showcasing their culinary skills across various categories."

Mshaimesh noted: “Hospitality Qatar will provide the ideal platform for all exhibitors, whether they are producers, suppliers, or industry professionals to reach their target markets while also fostering growth within the sector. The event covers all segments of the industry, including hotels and facilities, interiors and design, leisure and entertainment, travel and tourism, resorts and landscaping, cutting-edge hospitality tech and supplies for HORECA, eco-friendly hotel systems and solutions, and F&B industry, among others.”

He added: “The latest report from Alpen Capital, a leading investment banking advisory firm, forecasts that Qatar's hospitality industry revenue will witness the highest growth rate in the GCC. According to the report, the sector's revenue is expected to surge from QAR 3.64 bn in 2024 to QAR 4.36 bn in 2026, reaching QAR 5.46 bn by 2028. This remarkable growth is largely driven by Qatar's visa facilitation measures, including visas on arrival to citizens from about 102 countries.

In addition, Qatar has simplified its visa procedure by re-launching the Hayya platform in 2023, which serves as a centralised platform for all tourist and corporate visas. The country has also been developing a wide range of tourist attractions, including various cultural and modern landmarks, while consistently hosting major international events all year round.”

Mshaimesh pointed out that: “Qatar's hospitality sector is reaping the benefits of the successful strategy implemented by Qatar Tourism, which aims to attract visitors from 15 key source markets worldwide, including Saudi Arabia, India, China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Australia, South Africa, Russia, Turkey, Iran, and the GCC countries. The strategy also focuses on expanding the reach of international representative offices, launching regional and international marketing campaigns, curating a robust calendar of world-class events year-round, strengthening the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector by leveraging the country’s modern infrastructure, and  developing the hospitality sector by establishing new leisure destinations and districts, launching luxury shopping centres and investing in Qatar’s natural assets.”

He continued: “Qatar Tourism is continuously expanding and diversifying its offerings while providing significant support to the hospitality sector, which is set to drive substantial growth. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts robust performance for Qatar's tourism and travel sector between 2024 and 2034.The sector is anticipated to grow its annual GDP contribution to more than QAR 135bn by 2034, nearly 13% of Qatar’s economy, a notable increase from the QAR 90.8bn, or 11.3% of GDP, projected for 2024.”

According to the WTTC, sprs is expected to rise by 15.9%, from QAR 69.6 bn in 2024 to a record-breaking QAR 116 bn ending by international travelers by 2034. Domestic visitor spending is projected to see steady growth, increasing from QAR 12 bn in 2024 to QAR 16.1  bn by 2034, with an annual increase of 2.9%. The sector is forecasted to create 123,400 new jobs during the period from 2024 to 2034, with total employment in the sector increasing from 334,500 jobs in 2024 to 457,900 jobs by 2034.

Mshaimesh stated: “Third National Development Strategy (NDS3) 2024 November 2030 targets strengthening Qatar’s position as a premier family-tourism destination, while bolstering the MICE sector.

He added that the strategy aims to attract 6 million visitors by 2030, increase total in-destination spending to QAR 34 bn, and achieve 19 million room nights. NDS3 also introduces a range of initiatives to enhance the attractiveness and competitiveness of Qatar’s tourism cluster, including the activation of tourism policies, as well as leveraging the unique connectivity provided by Qatar Airways, developing tourism assets tailored to visitor needs, elevating service excellence, creating new tourism packages, and crafting an unparalleled visitor experience.”

According to latest figures released by Qatar Tourism, visitor arrivals saw a significant 26.2% year-on-year increase, reaching 2.95 million visitors in the first seven months of this year, up from 2.34 million visitors in the same period last year. Moreover, the overall supply of hotel rooms in Qatar reached 39,910, while revenue per available room (RevPAR) stood at QAR 244 by the end of the first half of 2024.

About IFP Qatar

IFP Qatar is part of IFP Group, the Middle East's leading trade fair organizer with representative offices across the world. IFP works across a wide range of sectors and has delivered the region's most important events. The company's international trade fairs are designed to be ideal and dynamic platforms for foreign and local companies doing business in the Middle East and seeking exposure to top regional buyers and decision-makers.

For more information, please visit www.ifpexpo.com

Doha, 18 Sept 2024 (QNA)

The 72nd Meeting of GCC Undersecretaries of Ministries of Finance kicked off Wednesday at Hotel Plaza Doha participated by Undersecretaries of Ministry of Finance of respective states.

Assistant Undersecretary for Economic Affairs of State of Qatar, Dr. Saud bin Abdullah Al Attiyah chaired the meeting that discussed a number of topics, mainly the results of the meetings of the GCC Central Bank Governors Committee; the Board of Directors of the GCC Customs Union Authority; and the Gulf Common Market Committee.

During his opening speech, Dr. Saud bin Abdullah Al Attiyah said that the meeting comes within the framework of enhancing financial and economic cooperation and integration between the GCC countries and discussing ways to unify efforts to develop their financial and economic policies in a way that ensures the stability of the Gulf economy and achieves sustainable growth.

He emphasized that the GCC council has proven its ability to achieve many accomplishments in various fields, in light of the circumstances and challenges imposed by the current global economic situation.

He added that the GCC governments have agreed on several aspects that contribute to achieving economic unity and strengthening ties between them on solid foundations for the good of their peoples, in line with the basic system of the GCC council.

He said that achieving economic unity among the GCC countries requires the committee to intensify efforts and initiatives in all financial and economic fields to achieve tangible results. The committee's role in this meeting is to complete the efforts made, follow up on the work progress, and ensure that it is on the right track.

For his part, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Development Affairs at the General Secretariat of the GCC, Khaled bin Ali Al Senaidi said that the meeting's agenda is full of various significant topics related to joint financial and economic cooperation, through which the committee looks forward to reaching constructive decisions that contribute to the diligent work to advance the path of joint Gulf action to serve the citizens of the GCC countries and their well-being and achieve more coordination, integration, and interconnection between its countries.

He indicated that the meeting would discuss several topics related to enhancing financial and economic cooperation between the GCC countries, the recommendations submitted to the Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee by the GCC Committee of Governors of Monetary Institutions and Central Banks, the GCC Customs Union Authority, the recommendations of the GCC Committee of Heads and Directors of Tax Departments, and the recommendations of the Gulf Common Market Committee.

He stressed that the GCC countries have achieved many gains during their journey towards economic and developmental integration, indicating their determination to achieve Gulf economic unity to enhance joint Gulf action and that combining efforts in all economic and developmental projects is a way to maximize these gains.

The 72nd Meeting of GCC Undersecretaries of Ministries of Finance is a preparatory meeting for the 122nd GCC meeting of the Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee.

Doha, 18 Sept. 2024

Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), a member of Qatar Foundation has welcomed five tech startups from Pakistan as part of the inaugural edition of its Global Innovation Link program.

QSTP’s latest offering, the Global Innovation Link program, is designed to foster collaboration with innovators, entrepreneurs, science parks, growth accelerators, and universities from around the world.

In a two-week immersive experience, selected teams joined QSTP’s ecosystem and engage with key academic, industry, and government stakeholders in Qatar. The teams will benefit from free co-working space, a weekly stipend of $1,000 per team, and opportunities to showcase their solutions at QSTP AI Week ‘An Immersive Experience for Entrepreneurs’, set to take place in November this year.

The event is organized by QSTP, supported by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and coordinated by Ms. Serein Asad, Pakistan’s Commercial Attaché to Qatar.

Attendees included QSTP President Dr. Jack Lau, Pakistan’s Ambassador Muhemmed Aejaz, Commercial Attaché Serein Asad, QSTP officials, Prof. Dr. Javaid Sheikh, Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine, Doha Campus and a prominent thought leader in global academic medicine as well as the participants in the 2-Week program.

The first edition of the Global Innovation Link features Software as a Service (SaaS), Data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) company, Bilytica. Founded in 2012, with headquarters in Australia, and local offices in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Spain, and Pakistan, the startup has been supporting over 600 clients in the banking, healthcare, and retail sectors.

Focused on AI retail analytics, Adlytic AI that transforms existing CCTV surveillance cameras into smart sensors to capture actionable insights and data driven decision-making, also joins the program this month. Adlytic AI’s core expertise revolves around optimizing operations and marketing efforts of the retail sector, drive-thru restaurants, security companies, and improving Return on Investment (ROI) for businesses through intelligent automation.

The program also welcomes Shispare, a software product development, consulting, and business solutions company helping enterprises transform their businesses using technology and innovation. Shispare provides a wide range of customized solutions to clients covering SaaS cloud product engineering, mobile app development, and UI/UX prototyping, among other services.

Other startups chosen for this edition include: Aridian Technologies, a one-stop shop for a variety of digital and IT solutions, offering services in applications development, AI, data analytics, and business intelligence; and Digifloat, recognized as a global data technology service provider offering Big Data and analytics, Generative AI, and cybersecurity solutions.

Dr. Jack Lau, President of QSTP, commented: ‘QSTP is thrilled to receive the first batch of participants to our Global Innovation Link program, which builds on our commitment to serve as the premier technology gateway to the Middle East.

He said that the program is meant to stimulate knowledge-exchange, capacity building, and strategic collaborations between Qatar and international innovation ecosystems. We are especially excited to interact with the selected startups from Pakistan and look forward to facilitating their growth and impact through a well-rounded, inspiring, and insightful program’.

Ambassador of Pakistan to Qatar, Muhemmed Aejaz, commented: ‘The QSTP Global Innovation Link – Pakistan Edition is a transformative opportunity for Pakistani startups to engage with Qatar’s vibrant innovation ecosystem. This program not only showcases the exceptional talent and innovation emerging from Pakistan’s IT sector but also strengthens the collaboration between our two countries in critical areas such as technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

He added that ‘by building bridges between Pakistani startups and Qatari innovators, tech leaders, and investors, we are paving the way for joint ventures, knowledge exchange, and strategic growth. This collaboration will contribute to the realization of Qatar’s Vision 2030 and open new avenues for the entrepreneurial and tech communities in both nations to thrive’.

In November, QSTP will host its AI week. One of the benefits that these startups get for being part of GIL program is that they will have the opportunity to exhibit at the AI week.

Global Innovation Link program is open to teams of two with a strong STEM background (PhD, patent holders, Master’s +5 years of experience, or a company with $100k+ annual revenue). These teams must be nominated by official state/national bodies. QSTP has been in talks with other countries and will soon host more global innovators to become a part of the experience.

To learn more about QSTP programs, please visit: https://qstp.org.qa/.

Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), part of Qatar Foundation, is a Free Zone, accelerator and incubator for tech-product development in Qatar.

The park fosters an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Qatar that works to accelerate commercialization of market-ready technologies to realize Qatar’s national diversification drive.

QSTP’s focus ranges across four overarching themes, comprising Energy, Environment, Health Sciences and Information & Communication Technologies (ICT), in line with the Qatar National Research Strategy announced in 2012.

Located in Qatar Foundation’s Education City, QSTP has access to the vital resources of a cluster of leading research universities. Members of QSTP’s Free Zone include Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), international corporations and research institutions. They are collectively committed to investing in new technology development programs, creating intellectual property, enhancing technology management skills and developing innovative new products.

QSTP supports QF’s economic and human development objectives for Qatar and is increasingly recognized as an international hub for applied research, innovation, incubation, and entrepreneurship.

Doha, 16 Sept. 2024 (QNA)

13th EU- GCC Economic Dialogue kicked off Monday in Doha, with both sides discussing the key economic challenges, policy priorities, and regional and international risks related to security and stability.

Both the groups reviewed strategies for economic diversification, trade enhancement, and green transformation.

Dr. Saud bin Abdullah Al Attiyah, Assistant Undersecretary for Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, State of Qatar; Dr. Abdulaziz Aluwaisheg, GCC Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Negotiations; Dr Cristian Tudor, ambassador of European Union to Qatar; Annika Eriksgard, Director of International Economic and Financial Relations and Global Governance (ECFIN); experts and specialists from the GCC General Secretariat, ministries, agencies, European Commission and the European External Action Service participated.

Dr. Saud bin Abdullah Al Attiyah hailed the 13th EU- GCC Economic Dialogue as an important platform for enhancing cooperation and partnership between the two sides in facing common economic challenges and working to achieve joint growth and prosperity, in addition to exploring available opportunities to enhance cooperation in vital areas such as trade, investment, sustainable energy and comprehensive development.

He said that this dialogue reflects the commitment of both sides to enhance mutual understanding and joint action to confront the ever-changing global challenges. He added that the importance of its agenda stems from discussing economic challenges and policy priorities through which the focus will be on how to deal with the current circumstances.

He stressed on the priorities that must be adopted to ensure the sustainability of the two blocs economies and protect their societies. There is a common vision that seeks to coordinate international and regional efforts to work hard to achieve a just and comprehensive peace. From this standpoint, the State of Qatar affirms its readiness to contribute to international efforts to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian crisis peacefully, with calls to stop military operations and provide humanitarian assistance, Dr Al Attiyah added.

He further said that Qatar has provided significant financial and humanitarian assistance, including a pledge of $100 million to rehabilitate infrastructure and provide educational and health services, in addition to scholarships and support for grain export initiatives. It has also played a mediating role in reuniting Ukrainian children affected by the war with their families, reflecting its commitment to humanitarian principles and international peace.

Commenting on the war on Gaza, he highlighted the centrality of the Palestinian cause for the Middle East and the world, reiterating the State of Qatar's firm position in support of the Palestinian people and the resolution of their just cause in accordance with international legitimate resolutions and within the framework of the Arab Peace Initiative.

He said that Qatari diplomacy focuses on reaching a ceasefire agreement, protecting civilians, releasing prisoners, and preventing the expansion of the conflict, while emphasizing the importance of opening safe corridors for relief and aid in Gaza.

He added that cooperation in these areas enhances environmental sustainability, opens new horizons for economic development, and creates job opportunities, which is in line with the vision of the GCC countries towards diversifying sources of income and enhancing sustainability, explaining that the EU, with its long-term partnership with the GCC, has a vital role in supporting efforts to transform towards sustainable and innovative economies.

Dr. Abdulaziz Aluwaisheg, GCC Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Negotiations in his opening comments said that series of dialogues between GCC and the EU dates back to 2003, noting its importance in terms of exchanging views on various international developments, discussing economic challenges in the GCC region and the EU, and benefiting from both sides' experiences.

He explained that among the agenda of dialogue today is the war on the Gaza Strip and its economic effects on the region, including its clear impact on international navigation in the Red Sea.

Applauding the role of State of Qatar in the region, he said Doha, which holds the current GCC presidency, is experiencing an active economic movement, and is one of the countries that has maintained its economic growth, despite the existing challenges, and has a major role in seeking to reach a solution to the war in Gaza, and thus reduce its economic effects on the region.

He added that Qatar also has a major role in energy security in the world, which was affected by the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Dr. Cristian Tudor, Ambassador of EU to State of Qatar thanked State of Qatar’s for hosting the 13th EU-GCC Economic Dialogue, considering these dialogues as the appropriate way to promote strategic relations between European Union states and GCC states, and enhance cooperation between the two peoples.

He said that the first summit at the leaders' level between GCC States and the European Union will be held in October at Brussels presided by Qatar, would lead to a new era, especially with the EU's keenness to bolster bilateral relations.

Annika Eriksgard highlighted the importance of EU-GCC economic dialogue, especially with the increasing international challenges such as the increasing fragmentation of global trade, the complex geopolitical and economic situation that generally affects global growth, including the war on Gaza, the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and their impact on the Red Sea trade route, global tourism, and energy availability.

She noted that many of these challenges require finding possible solutions and coordinating ways to address them, appreciating the manner and spirit in which the two sides' discussions took place during the 12th dialogue in Brussels in November 2022, and the way in which it is possible to find how to align the interests of the two blocs in some areas.

The first EU-GCC Economic Dialogue was held in 2003 within the framework of the two parties' commitment to strengthening their cooperation and discussing regional and international developments, especially addressing economic challenges and finding solutions to overcome them.

Tokyo, 16 Sept. 2024 (NHK World Japan)

A Tokyo zoo says it has managed to breed an endangered rhinoceros, marking the facility's first such success in 50 years.

A greater one-horned rhinoceros, which is widely known as the Indian rhinoceros, gave birth to a calf earlier this month at the Tama Zoological Park in Hino City, Western Tokyo.

The zoo says it is the species' eighth successful birth in the country, including one by the same mother rhino, and the first in 50 years at the Tokyo zoo.

The picture show the calf standing up by itself about 20 minutes after birth'

The rhino is on the Red List of threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, or IUCN. The Tokyo zoo has been trying to breed the species.

Both the mother and baby rhinos will not be exhibited for the time being out of consideration for their health. Zoo officials will make an announcement once they decide when to exhibit the pair.

The zoo said in a statement that zookeepers are relieved the baby was born safely. It added that the mother rhino has experience with birth and has remained calm, and says that the baby is healthily drinking breast milk.

Doha, 12 Sept. 2024