Finance minister meets several ministers, officials on margins of QEF 2025
Both ministers conferred on a broad range of topics related to shared interests, particularly economic ones, as well as avenues for broadening collaborative efforts between the two nations.
Separately, Al Kuwari met with Minister of Treasury and Finance of the Republic of Turkiye HE Mehmet Simsek, on the margins of the forum. They addressed a range of topics related to the shared interests of both countries, particularly in the financial and economic fields, as well as measures aimed at broadening the scope of these joint activities.
Additionally, Al Kuwari met with His Grace The Duke of Richmond, Charles Gordon-Lennox, from King's Trust International. The meeting reviewed areas of mutual cooperation and discussed ways to strengthen relations across a number of sectors of shared interest, particularly in the fields of economy and investment, in addition to addressing regional and international economic developments.
Al Kuwari also met with Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Microsoft, Judson Althoff. Both sides deliberated on strengthening the frontiers of bilateral cooperation in the areas of investment, finance, and economics, as well as a host of topics of shared interest.
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Al Jazeera
4 days ago
- Al Jazeera
How the world is reacting to Israel's E1 settlement plan in the West Bank
Israel's announcement that it will illegally build thousands of homes in a highly controversial development in the occupied West Bank – in a move Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich boasted 'buries the idea of a Palestinian state' – has drawn widespread international condemnation. Smotrich announced Thursday that he was pushing ahead with long-frozen plans for the E1 area settlement project that would connect occupied East Jerusalem with the existing illegal Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, located several kilometres to the east. The planned settlement, which was shelved for years amid opposition from the United States and European allies, would comprise more than 3,400 homes for Israeli settlers on Palestinian-owned land that experts say is vital for any future territorially contiguous Palestinian state in the West Bank. Smotrich said the development was being revived as a response to plans by other countries to recognise a Palestinian state. But the response from the rest of the world has been scathing, with governments describing the move as a blatant violation of international law that would fuel regional instability and leave the possibility of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict in tatters. Here's an overview of the reactions so far. Palestine Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said the E1 development, in combination with the war in Gaza and escalating settler violence, would only lead to further escalation, tension and instability. He said he held the US responsible for halting Israel's expansionist actions, and noted that the settlement announcement came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had spoken of his vision for a 'Greater Israel'. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, called for international intervention to halt the settlement plans. It considered the E1 settlement 'a continuation of the occupation's plans to undermine the opportunity to establish the Palestinian state on its homeland, weaken its geographical and demographic unity, entrench the division of the West Bank into isolated areas surrounded by a sea of settlements, and facilitate the completion of their annexation'. Qatar Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs slammed the move, saying it 'reaffirms Qatar's unequivocal rejection of the Israeli occupation's policies aimed at expanding settlements and forcibly displacing Palestinian people, measures intended to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state'. Statement | Qatar Condemns Israeli Finance Minister's Approval of Settlement Plans Separating East Jerusalem from the Occupied West Bank#MOFAQatar — Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) August 14, 2025 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry condemned the settlement plans 'in the strongest possible terms', saying they were a violation of international law and a serious threat to the possibility of a two-state solution. In a statement, it called on the international community to 'assume its legal and moral responsibilities, protect the Palestinian people, and fulfil their legitimate rights, including recognition of the Palestinian state'. Jordan Jordan's Foreign Ministry condemned the move in the 'strongest terms'. The ministry's spokesman Sufyan Qudah affirmed his country's 'absolute rejection and condemnation of this settlement plan and the illegal Israeli measures that constitute a blatant violation of international law and international Security Council resolutions'. Qudah warned against the continued expansionist policy of the Israeli government in the occupied West Bank, which the ministry said 'encourages the perpetuation of cycles of violence and conflict in the region'. Turkiye The Turkish Foreign Ministry said the settlement plan 'disregards international law and United Nations resolutions' and 'targets the territorial integrity of the State of Palestine, the basis for a two-state solution, and hopes for lasting peace'. It reaffirmed Turkiye's support for an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. United Kingdom British Foreign Minister David Lammy said the plan must be stopped. 'The UK strongly opposes the Israeli government's E1 settlement plans, which would divide a future Palestinian state in two and mark a flagrant breach of international law,' he said in an emailed statement to the Reuters news agency. The situation in Gaza is appalling and the Israeli government's actions are further jeopardising the two-state solution. @AnitaAnandMP, @jnbarrot and I discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages, a flood of aid and a plan to deliver lasting peace. — David Lammy (@DavidLammy) August 14, 2025 Germany The German government, a strong supporter of Israel, urged Israel to 'stop settlement construction' and said it 'strongly rejects' the plan for the new development 'The settlement construction violates international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions,' a spokesperson for the Foreign Office in Berlin said. 'It complicates a negotiated two-state solution and an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, as demanded by the International Court of Justice,' he added. Spain Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares called the expansion plan 'a new violation of international law'. 'It undermines the viability of the two-state solution, the only path to peace,' he said in a social media post. United Nations The United Nations urged Israel to reverse its decision. 'It would put an end to prospects of a two-state solution,' Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told reporters. 'Settlements go against international law … [and] further entrench the occupation.' European Union The European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also slammed the plan as a 'breach of international law' that would further undermine a two-state solution. 'If implemented, settlement construction in this area will permanently cut the geographical and territorial contiguity between occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank and sever the connection between the northern and southern West Bank,' said Kallas. 'The EU urges Israel to desist from taking this decision forward, noting its far-reaching implications and the need to consider action to protect the viability of the two-state solution.' She called on Israel to halt its settlement construction altogether, saying its settlement policy, combined with ongoing settler violence and military operations, were 'fuelling an already tense situation on the ground and further eroding any possibility for peace'. Organisation of Islamic Cooperation The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also denounced the plans, saying the Israeli occupation and settlement expansion were illegal under international law, United Nations resolutions, and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, and must end immediately. The intergovernmental organisation urged the international community to take responsibility, hold Israel accountable, and impose sanctions in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions. Israeli human rights group Israeli advocacy group Peace Now warned that the move was 'guaranteeing many more years of bloodshed'. 'The E1 plan is deadly for the future of Israel and for any chance of achieving a peaceful two-state solution,' it said in a statement. 'There is a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to the terrible war in Gaza – the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel – and it will ultimately come.' United States Israel's key ally, the United States, had no immediate words of criticism for the proposal. Asked about the settlement development, a spokesperson for the US State Department said Washington was focused on ending the war in Gaza and ensuring Hamas will never govern that territory again. 'A stable West Bank keeps Israel secure and is in line with this administration's goal to achieve peace in the region,' the spokesperson said, referring to the Israeli government for further information.
Qatar Tribune
05-08-2025
- Qatar Tribune
QC concludes training on CSR management system
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Chamber has successfully concluded a four-day training program titled 'Certified ISO 26000 Lead Auditor on Social Responsibility Management System,' held in cooperation with the Regional Network for Consultancy (RNC), a member of the Regional Network for Social Responsibility (CSR). The programme attracted 17 participants representing a diverse range of Qatari entities alongside professionals from other Arab countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates. It served as a platform to deepen knowledge and exchange expertise in the field of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in alignment with international standards. The sessions focused on familiarising participants with the modern trends and guiding principles of social responsibility as outlined in ISO 26000. Participants were introduced to the fundamental concepts and core subjects of CSR, as well as the vital role of auditors in planning, leading, and following up on socialresponsibility audits. The training also offered practical modules addressing real-world applications of managing audit processes within organisations, thereby equipping attendees with the skills required to assess, implement, and sustain CSR practices effectively. Speaking on the occasion, Fatima Issa Al Kuwari, head of Training and Development at Qatar Chamber, underscored the importance of the programme in strengthening national and regional capabilities in the field of CSR. She noted that such initiatives contribute to advancing human capital in line with global benchmarks and help position institutions to meet the growing demand for sustainable practices in the labor market. Al Kuwari further emphasised Qatar Chamber's commitment to delivering specialized training programs that respond to market needs and enhance productivity across government bodies, private enterprises, and nonprofit institutions. She extended her appreciation to the participants, both local and international, for their active engagement and highlighted the strategic value of the chamber's partnership with the Regional Network for Consultancy. 'The collaboration with RNC plays a key role in providing high-quality training programs and consulting services that align with the aspirations of participating institutions. It also strengthens efforts to build a culture of responsibility and sustainability in Qatar and the wider region,' she said. The conclusion of this program reflects Qatar Chamber's ongoing role in fostering a culture of sustainable business practices while enabling professionals to serve as certified lead auditors in social responsibility management systems. It also reaffirms the chamber's broader vision of supporting the national development agenda by promoting standards that balance economic growth with social and environmental accountability.
Al Jazeera
18-07-2025
- Al Jazeera
G20 finance ministers reach consensus on key economic issues
The finance ministers of the Group of 20 have finally reached a consensus following meetings in South Africa, emphasising that central banks must remain independent in reaction to months of attacks by United States President Donald Trump. In their final statement published on Friday, following two days of meetings in the coastal city of Durban, the grouping agreed on key challenges for the global economy, including ongoing wars and conflicts, trade disputes, supply chain disruptions, debt and natural disasters. The G20 finance ministers have met several times since the beginning of the year, but have been unable to agree on a joint statement at previous summits. 'Central banks are strongly committed to ensuring price stability, consistent with their respective mandates, and will continue to adjust their policies in a data-dependent manner,' the grouping said in Friday's joint declaration, their first communique since October. 'Central bank independence is crucial to achieving this goal,' read the statement, which was also signed by the US. Trump has for a long time been criticising the Federal Reserve – the central bank of the US – mainly over its decision on interest rates. His attacks have intensified during his second term in office, and have mainly targeted Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell, whom he has called a 'moron', 'numbskull', and 'stubborn mule'. Trump is unhappy with the central bank's decision to lower interest rates slower than he prefers in an effort to fight inflation. He has also strongly criticised Powell for his handling of a project to renovate the Federal Reserve headquarters in Washington, DC. The joint communique on Friday was reached in the absence of US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, but Washington was represented by Michael Kaplan, acting undersecretary of the Treasury for international affairs. Bessent had also missed the previous gathering of the finance ministers of the G20 in Cape Town in February, when the representatives had failed to reach a joint stance to the dismay of host country South Africa. Economic 'uncertainty', complex challenges The US is set to assume the G20's rotating presidency in December, but it reportedly plans to shift its approach to the multilateral institution, which it helped found in 1999. Three unnamed US sources cited by the Reuters news agency said on Friday that Washington plans to focus on the G20 leaders' summit and the financial meetings in November, eliminating other working groups and ministerial-level meetings, including those on energy, healthcare, commerce, and environment. The US has already withdrawn from co-chairing a working group on sustainable finance with China, and it remains unclear whether Trump will join the leaders' summit in South Africa. In its joint statement, the group also highlighted the global trade landscape that has increasingly been rocked by Trump's tariffs, as well as wars involving the US and its allies. 'The global economy is facing heightened uncertainty and complex challenges, including ongoing wars and conflicts, geopolitical and trade tensions,' it said. The G20 is made up of 19 nations, as well as the European Union and the African Union, and its members account for more than 80 percent of the world's economic output.
