Education City Mosque

Marhaba takes a look back at the year that Qatar opened its doors to visitors from around the world as it hosted a world-class sports event, new parks and family attractions were inaugurated to offer year-round entertainment, records were broken, and much more!

By Sarah Palmer

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Doha Peace Agreement – the first step towards Chadian reconciliation In August, Chadian parties signed the ‘Doha Peace Agreement and the Participation of Politico-Military Movements in the Chadian National, Inclusive, and Sovereign Dialogue’, under the auspices of the State of Qatar. The ceremony was attended by HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, foreign ministers, officials, and representatives of the African Union and regional and international organisations. The signing of the agreement is a result of negotiations held by the State of Qatar during a five-month period, with regional and international participation, and is the start of constructive discussions in Chad to achieve national reconciliation. In a recorded speech during the signing ceremony, HE Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres thanked the State of Qatar for hosting and sponsoring the negotiations between the Chadian parties, leading to the signing of the Doha Peace Agreement.

HH The Amir at the United Nations

HH The Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani took part in the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, held in New York in September. During the opening session, HH The Amir delivered a speech in which he addressed several international issues: the pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the establishment of a Palestinian state, and the ongoing crises in Syria, Libya and Yemen. HH The Amir also commented about reaching a just agreement regarding Iran and the nuclear deal, and for all parties to build on the outcomes of the Doha Agreement for Afghanistan.

Highlights of other international news: • In an interview with French magazine Le Point in September, HH The Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani discussed a number of subjects including women’s issues, freedom of expression, the energy sector and its current contexts, international affairs like GCC-Iranian relations, international wars and crises, and his rejection of discrimination against any minority. • HH The Amir participated in the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change (COP27) held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt in November.