Day: April 20, 2024

Doha: Msheireb Properties and Fast Company Middle East are set to host the highly anticipated Innovation by Design Summit at the Doha Design District in Msheireb Downtown Doha on Wednesday. The event will feature a diverse lineup of speakers and panelists, including several prominent Qatari innovators and entrepreneurs.

The summit will explore various aspects of design and its impact on society, with sessions covering topics such as biophilic design, sustainable materials, AI in content creation and business, circular design, immersive museum experiences, and the potential for a global Middle Eastern design language. The event will also delve into the role of urban planning in creating people-centric cities, the interplay between technology and creativity, and the importance of designing for the experience economy and Gen Z.

Notable Qatari speakers will include: Abdulrahman Al Muftah, Designer; Dana Alfardan, Qatari Composer and Songwriter; Fahad Al Turky, Manager of Exhibitions and Programs at Msheireb Mus
eums; Hamad Al Amari, Entrepreneur and Comedian; Hamad Mubarak Al-Hajri, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Snoonu; Mohammed Al-Qassabi, Head of Robotics and AI at Qatar Scientific Club; Eng. Nayef Al-Ibrahim, Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Ibtechar; Shaika Al-Nassr, Director of the Museum of Islamic Art. Their participation will highlight the growing influence and contributions of Qatari innovators in the global design landscape.

Msheireb Properties Senior Director of Corporate Communications, Dr. Hafiz Ali Abdullah, commented on the significance of the upcoming event: “Design has the power to change the world. By bringing together brilliant minds from Qatar and around the world, we want to inspire and empower the next generation of designers and innovators to create solutions that positively impact our communities and the planet.” Eng. Nayef Al-Ibrahim, Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Ibtechar, shared his thoughts on the role of technology in creativity: “As we navigat
e the rapidly evolving landscape of design and innovation, it is crucial to recognise the potential of technology as a tool for empowerment. By harnessing the power of AI and other emerging technologies, we can push the boundaries of creativity and develop solutions that address the challenges of our time.” The Innovation by Design Summit will culminate with the launch of the prestigious Msheireb Award for Innovation in Design, a global initiative celebrating exemplary design-driven solutions across four categories: human-centred design, sustainable design, technology-powered design, and lifestyle and luxury design. The award was created to champion design thinking as a catalyst for positive change, offering a platform for ideas that address individual, community, and global challenges.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s visit to the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Nepal is key to economic cooperation and trade exchange, said In Charge of Managing Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) Mohammed Faleh Al Hajri.

Speaking to Qatar News Agency , Al Hajri said that Qatar Airways operates direct flights to the three countries under air services agreements.

He added that a robust economic cooperation directly reflects on the tourism and air transport industries.

The State of Qatar closely cooperates and develops outstanding air transport relations with the three countries, he said.

Highlighting an air transport recovery after grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic repercussions, Al Hajri cited the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s global air transport outlook which forecasts the industry will return to normal in 2025.

He added that the flag carrier of Qatar operates flights to about 90 percent of Asian countries, which reflects positively on its growth.

HH the Amir’s
tour, which seeks to increase the volume of trade exchange in general, will bolster the trade and economic sectors, including air transport, he added.

On July 8, 2002, the State of Qatar sealed an air service agreement with Nepal, which took effect on July 21, 2002.

The State of Qatar inked an air services agreement with the Republic of the Philippines on Jan. 10, 1993, which entered into force on May 19, 1994.

Moreover, the State of Qatar and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh initialed an air service agreement on Dec. 31, 1979. (QNA

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: The international community celebrates World Creativity and Innovation Day on April 21 each year to promote awareness of their role in achieving sustainable development.

This day is celebrated based on a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly issued on April 27, 2017. It serves as an occasion to highlight best practices and shed light on the use of creative thinking and technology to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Speaking to Qatar News Agency , Jawaher Faisal Al Khuzaei, an expert in knowledge economy and Chief Marketing Officer of Gulf Warehousing Company (GWC), stated that the concept of creative economy has become a fundamental pillar in the global economy in recent years. She emphasized that creative economy is not only a part of the economy but also a fundamental driver of growth and development in countries and societies.

She explained that this type of economy relies on the production and utilization of knowledge, considering knowledge as a key source of wealth and p
rosperity in society. This is achieved by transforming creative ideas into products and services that can be exchanged, traded, and consumed.

Al Khuzaei pointed out that the creative economy encompasses a wide range of creative and cultural industries, including heritage, arts, multimedia, and functional innovations. She mentioned that the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) provided an important definition of the creative economy, describing it as “a pattern of economic activity that relies on the use of creative assets to generate economic growth and achieve economic development.” In this context, she emphasized the importance of creativity and culture as key drivers for enhancing economic progress.

She affirmed that Qatar considers the creative economy as an inspiring model integrated into its national development strategy within the Qatar National Vision 2030. Enhancing creative initiatives is a vital part of its ambitious national vision, where art and culture are essential comp
onents encouraging creative interaction and providing platforms for artists to express themselves and develop their talents.

Furthermore, she explained that one of the driving forces behind Qatar’s creative economy is Qatar Museums, describing it as a “beacon of creativity.” She noted that this institution has not only preserved the country’s heritage but has also been at the forefront of promoting artistic innovation and cultural exchange.

She stated that HE Chairperson of Qatar Museums Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani has launched ambitious initiatives to enhance art and culture within the country and on the global stage.

Al Khuzaei added that establishing world-class museums such as the Museum of Islamic Art, the National Museum of Qatar, the Arab Museum of Modern Art, the Lusail Museum, and the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, among others, not only enriches the cultural landscape in Qatar but also attracts international attention, considering it the centers of global creativity.

Jawaher A
l Khuzaei emphasized that development is not merely economic growth, but encompasses environmental, social, and cultural dimensions. Qatar recognizes that culture is a driving force for sustainable development, and this understanding has been integrated into the state’s development strategies. Al Khuzaei affirmed that culture is not static, but dynamic and evolving, fostering an environment conducive to creativity and innovation, which in turn attracts talent, promotes entrepreneurship, and stimulates economic growth. The World Creativity and Innovation Day reminds people to think outside the box and surpass conventional boundaries, encouraging them to embrace calculated risks and explore new opportunities, including women and youth. Furthermore, it aids in finding solutions to critical issues such as poverty and hunger. It’s worth noting that there’s no universally defined understanding of creativity, making it an open concept subject to interpretation, ranging from artistic expression to problem-solving ski
lls within the framework of sustainable economic and social development.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: The State of Qatar announced that 20 Russian and Ukrainian families (including 37 children) have arrived in Doha under an integrated programme that aims to provide health care and comprehensive support for the families and their children within Qatar’s ongoing mediation efforts dedicated to reuniting families separated due to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

The State of Qatar hosts these families during April 18-27 to help them receive medical, psychological, and social support. The programme represents a critical step towards assisting the families to undergo the healing process and is designed to provide an overall support that meets immediate needs and lays the foundation for long-term recovery and inclusion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed in a statement on Saturday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the programme helps promote health well-being and stability through focusing on psychological, physical, and social health for all family members, paving the way for families
to build their life confidently and safely, highlighting that the programme is conducted in partnership with representatives of both the Russian Federation and Ukraine.

The State of Qatar in its capacity as mediator will remain committed to protecting the well-being of all conflict-affected civilians, along with its unflinching commitment to continuing the mediation efforts with a special focus on children reunification and ensuring their safety and care, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs underlined.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Jeddah: A new study by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) exposed the serious dangers climate change poses to the Arabian Gulf region.

Researchers warned about the potential of catastrophic flooding, which could overwhelm existing infrastructure lead to significant loss of life and damage the economy, due to the rise in temperatures and more frequent rainfall, as observed in the recent extreme weather in the UAE and Oman.

Unless drastic action is taken to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, the region’s maximum annual rainfall could rise by 33% by the end of this century, the study said, stressing that many areas in the Gulf lack the infrastructure needed to cope with the uncharacteristic weather brought about by climate change.

With its extensive satellite data on the oceans and atmosphere of the region, as well as its highly regarded supercomputer lab, KAUST has unmatched resources for gaining a deep understanding of climate risks. This gives the university a vital role in comprehe
nding and getting ready for the forecast challenges.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Ministry of Social Development and Family, in cooperation with the Museum of Islamic Art, on Saturday celebrated Qatar Family Day, observed on April 15 of each year, as part of its keenness to revive the value and role of families in achieving the pillars of community development.

On the occasion, Director of Family Development at the Ministry of Social Development and Family Dhabia Al Maqbali underlined the importance of marking the day as an important occasion and social initiative.

This day reflects the priority and importance that the Family Development Department in the Ministry of Social Development and Family attaches to the family, she said noting that Qatar Family Day highlights the efforts of social institutions in supporting and developing community construction and growth, in accordance with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the state’s national development strategy.

According to AL Meqbali, the Ministry of Social Development and Family organized several events on this occasion, including a se
ries of recreational activities and events that champion cohesion between family members, and educating society about the importance of the family’s role in raising young people and promoting social cohesion.

Source: Qatar News Agency