The year 2012 catapulted Qatar on the global stage be it its acquisitive institutions and compa nies, bold political state ments or its events calendar. The year was marked by a transition phase , both on the political and eco nomic front.The year concluded with Doha hosting the UN Climate Change Conference COP18, the biggest event hosted by the country so far. This event saw Qatar as the harbinger of many climate change decisions in the years to come. 2013 boasts of an impressive events calendar with the first World GTL Conference and the 8th World Chambers Congress scheduled for the first half of 2013.We map the trends, events and news of Qatar’s development in this issue of Progress.