Latest news with #AbdulazizbinNasserbinMubarakAlKhalifa
Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar highlights progress in implementing SDGs 2030 at HLPF in New York
Tribune News Network Doha Secretary-General of the National Planning Council (NPC) Dr Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa presented Qatar's 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Wednesday, July 23. Through a comprehensive presentation, Dr Al Khalifa outlined the key elements of Qatar's VNR 2025, highlighting the country's progress in implementing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in alignment with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy. He also addressed national priorities and examined the challenges faced in advancing sustainable development. He said, 'By integrating the Sustainable Development Goals into national strategies, Qatar has successfully laid the foundations for innovation, inclusion and future foresight, driving strategic investments in education, healthcare, workforce development and a green economy. 'This alignment is further enabled by Qatar's leading role as a global convenor of sustainability dialogue, exemplified by its hosting of internationally recognised forums such as the Qatar Economic Forum, the Doha Forum and the Web Summit. 'Qatar's fourth Voluntary National Review encompassed a whole-of-society approach, involving a wide spectrum of stakeholders across non-profit organisations, civil society, academia, the public and private sectors, as well as international and regional organisations. Through three national workshops, the NPC facilitated a participatory process that incorporated interactive tools, open forums and collaborative drafting sessions.' Commenting on youth engagement in VNR preparation, Dr. Al Khalifa said, 'Youth participation was a central feature, with young people actively engaged in thematic sessions and brainstorming sessions to assess the progress made towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. 'I reiterate the words of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who emphasised that Qatar will spare no effort in working alongside its international partners and the United Nations to consolidate peace, sustainable development, human rights, and the rule of law at all levels, and to confront global challenges in pursuit of a better future for all.' He added, 'This underscores Qatar's firm belief that equitable, inclusive, and balanced development lies at the heart of our shared global journey—achieved through a careful balance between economic growth, social development, and environmental protection.' Dr. Al Khalifa led Qatar's delegation to the HLPF, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from July 14 to 23. The Forum convened under the theme: 'Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind.' The HLPF serves as the UN's central platform for reviewing global progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It brings together heads of member states, international organisations, and civil society to assess performance and accelerate action toward the realisation of the SDGs. On Monday, July 21, Dr. Al Khalifa delivered Qatar's statement before the HLPF, in which he said, 'As the United Nations approaches its 80th anniversary, Qatar remains committed to the core principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This commitment is deeply embedded in our national development framework, Qatar National Vision 2030, and actively realised through the implementation of our Third National Development Strategy (2024–2030). Anchored in determination, the strategy aims to transform global commitments into measurable national progress.' He added, 'Qatar fully recognises that the path to sustainable development cannot be pursued in isolation and that it requires global cooperation. Qatar continues to deepen its engagement with the United Nations and its specialised agencies. As host of the UN House in Doha, we are proud to collaborate with agencies such as UNDP, UNICEF, OCHA, and IOM to advance global development, humanitarian response, and capacity-building initiatives.' He also participated in a side panel titled 'Demographic Resilience and Sustainable Development', where he underscored the importance of proactively preparing for demographic shifts through foresight, inclusion, and data-driven strategies. Dr. Al Khalifa also took part in a high-level session on Adequate Housing for All, where he delivered closing remarks, highlighting Qatar's comprehensive housing policies and their central role in preparation for the World Summit for Social Development to be hosted in Doha next November. He also engaged in high-level discussions on the economic opportunities emerging from the global transition to clean energy. The NPC secretary-general held bilateral meetings to explore avenues for cooperation in sustainable development.
Qatar Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
NPC secretary general reaffirms Qatar's commitment to 2030 sustainable development agenda
The State of Qatar has reaffirmed its strong commitment to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, highlighting its integration within Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy (2024-2030). The strategy reflects Qatar's determination to transform global commitments into tangible national progress. This came in the State of Qatar's statement delivered by Secretary General of the National Planning Council (NPC) HE Dr Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa at the ministerial segment of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. In the same context, the NPC said in a post on its X platform that HE Dr Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa participated in a panel discussion on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The panel discussion focused on demographic resilience and sustainable development. The Council added that Qatar's approach is based on robust data that aligns with the Qatar National Vision 2030, noting that it has already begun to achieve tangible results in the areas of labor force participation, education planning, and sustainable development. During the event, Al Khalifa highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the State of Qatar and the development of a data-driven strategic framework designed to address key demographic challenges, including declining fertility rates, an aging population, and labor market imbalances.
Qatar Tribune
7 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
NPC official reaffirms Qatar's commitment to 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda
QNA Doha The State of Qatar has reaffirmed its strong commitment to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, highlighting its integration within Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy (2024–2030). The strategy reflects Qatar's determination to transform global commitments into tangible national progress. This came in the State of Qatar's statement delivered by Secretary-General of the National Planning Council (NPC) Dr Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa at the ministerial segment of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. In the same context, the NPC has said in a post on its X platform that Dr Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa participated in a panel discussion on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The panel discussion focused on demographic resilience and sustainable development. The Council added that Qatar's approach is based on robust data that aligns with the Qatar National Vision 2030, noting that it has already begun to achieve tangible results in the areas of labor force participation, education planning, and sustainable development. During the event, Al Khalifa highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the State of Qatar and the development of a data-driven strategic framework designed to address key demographic challenges, including declining fertility rates, an ageing population, and labour market imbalances.
Qatar Tribune
26-06-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
NPC launches revamped Qatar Open Data Portal
Tribune News Network Doha In a move aimed at strengthening data governance and fostering institutional integration in the management of government information, the National Statistics Centre (NSC) at the National Planning Council (NPC) on Thursday organised a forum themed 'Toward Integrated National Data Governance: Achievements, Partnerships, and Sustainable Support'. The event serves as a strategic initiative by the Council to engage directly with planning, quality, and IT departments across ministries and government agencies, under the broader umbrella of the National Data and Statistics Strategy. Secretary-General of the National Planning Council His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa inaugurated the forum. In his speech, he said, 'The National Data Programme — a key component of the National Strategy for Data and Statistics — has achieved significant milestones in recent periods, in alignment with the objectives of the Third National Development Strategy. Among the most notable achievements is the issuance of the National Data Policy, approved by the National Planning Council. This policy has laid the foundation for principles of governance, integration, and shared responsibility in the management and governance of data.' He also announced the launch of the newly revamped Qatar Open Data Portal, saying: 'We are pleased to announce the launch of the Qatar Open Data Platform in its new form, now featuring more than 1,100 datasets covering a wide range of sectors. 'Open data has become a decisive factor in attracting foreign investment and facilitating informed economic decision-making, which directly contributes to achieving the targets of economic growth and diversification.' Through this regularly convened forum, the NSC seeks to share updates on the National Data Governance Programme and foster inter-agency cooperation mechanisms designed to activate effective data governance and management practices, and showcase projects related to national data governance platforms. In addition, the Centre is using the forum to respond to government entities' inquiries, clarify their roles and responsibilities in implementing the National Data Governance Programme, and highlight the technical and training support it offers to ensure that institutional efforts align with national data policies. The forum marks a continuation of the National Planning Council's broader efforts, following the launch of the National Data and Statistics Strategy last May, under the patronage of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and chair of the National Planning Council. The strategy has since served as a springboard for a series of ambitious national initiatives aimed at modernising the country's data ecosystem. The forum placed particular focus on the progress made in developing tools under the National Data Governance Programme, particularly the Open Data Platform. A visual presentation showcased the platform's technical architecture and operational objectives, outlining how to advance transparency by making government data publicly accessible in line with international best practices. Such efforts are expected to foster innovation and build trust with the public. On the regulatory front, the NPC team delivered a detailed presentation on the national policies, standards, and regulations governing data. The presentation included an overview of compliance mechanisms and internal procedures for managing data within government agencies. This segment was led by Maha Rashid Al Mutawa, director of the National Data Affairs Department at the National Statistics Centre, who elaborated on the institutional and legislative frameworks underpinning these efforts. In the area of capacity building, Maha Abdullah Al Sherif, statistical researcher at the Statistical and Data Training Centre, announced the launch of a series of specialised training programmes and workshops. Designed to be delivered both in-person and online, these sessions will combine theoretical instruction with practical application. Scheduled throughout the year, the training aims to bolster the competencies of government departments in data management, analysis, and governance — boosting institutional readiness and enhance their optimal use of data in government work. The forum also explored the institutional partnerships critical to the success of the National Data Programme — chief among them is the strategic cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Cybersecurity Agency. These partnerships aim to ensure the readiness of digital infrastructure and the integration of national technical and regulatory frameworks. The forum highlighted effective technology partnerships with leading digital solution providers such as Microsoft and Informatica, both of which delivered advanced presentations on tools for governance, integration, and data quality. Microsoft showcased its intelligent data management ecosystem through Azure and Microsoft Fabric technologies, emphasising their role in supporting interoperability and real-time data analysis. Informatica, for its part, presented its advanced vision via the Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) platform — a solution designed to build a unified national data index and a transparent, referential data management system. Together, these technologies promise to enhance the quality and usability of government data in public policy development. The forum concluded with an open dialogue that brought together representatives of government agencies and technology solution providers. The discussion aimed to align technical needs with strategic objectives, while encouraging the exchange of experiences and best practices in building and operating national data platforms, including the National Data Index, the National Data Marketplace, and government database platforms.
Qatar Tribune
17-06-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar ranks among top ten countries in 2025 Global Competitiveness Report
Tribune News Network Doha The National Planning Council (NPC) has announced that the State of Qatar has made remarkable progress in its development journey by ranking 9th globally in the 2025 Global Competitiveness Report, issued by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD). This marks the first time Qatar enters the top ten countries in the global competitiveness ranking. The achievement reflects Qatar's well-established position in economic and administrative performance indicators and reaffirms the effectiveness of its long-term national policies in implementing the Third National Development Strategy and achieving Qatar National Vision 2030. The Global Competitiveness Report assesses the performance of 67 economies across more than 330 indicators covering four main themes: economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, and infrastructure. Qatar has made significant progress in overall ranking, rising from 11th in 2024 to 9th in 2025. A key driver of this advancement was Qatar's leap in the business efficiency axis, from 11th place in 2024 to 5th in 2025, reflecting ongoing reforms to enhance labor market flexibility, stimulate entrepreneurship, and empower the private sector. Qatar also maintained its 7th place globally in both economic performance and government efficiency, highlighting the resilience of its fiscal policy, the efficiency of public institutions and the quality of governance, especially in light of the current global economic challenges. In the infrastructure axis, Qatar moved up three ranks, indicating continued strategic investment intransport, education, healthcare and digital infrastructure. Commenting on this achievement, HE Dr Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Secretary General of the National Planning Council, stated: 'Qatar's entry into the top ten globally in the competitiveness Report is a true testament to the clarity of our strategic vision, the solidity of our institutions, and the cohesion of our national efforts. This progress underscores the country's firm commitment to building a dynamic knowledge- and innovation-based economy, that offers fair and sustainable opportunities for all. We continue to implement the Third National Development Strategy in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030, while focusing on enhancing competitiveness, achieving sustainable development, and improving the quality of life for the entire population.' The report pointed out that Qatar recorded a significant improvement in several key indicators, where real GDP growth increased by 2.4%, real GDP per capita increased by 0.82%. Additionally, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded a modest 1.07% year-on-year increase, while the homicide rate dropped to 0.07 cases per 100,000 people—the lowest globally. Moreover, Qatar ranked first globally in 14 sub-indicators in the report, including youth unemployment rate, overall unemployment rate, consumption tax rate, individual income tax rate, homicide rate, human capital from expatriate labor, use of big data and analytics, effectiveness of corporate boards, banking and financial services, credit availability, perceived need for economic and social reforms, environmental legislation, financing of technological development, and healthcare infrastructure. Qatar also ranked second in several other sub-indicators, reinforcing its leading position in various aspects of competitiveness. This progress yields tangible benefits for individuals and businesses alike. Qatar's high ranking in global indices boosts investor confidence, generates greater levels of foreign direct investment, and expands job opportunities in developed and future-oriented sectors. It also contributes to creating a business environment that stimulates growth and innovation and supports the diversification and long-term stability of the national economy, which is a key pillar of the Third National Development Strategy. This advancement underscores the effectiveness of Qatar's data-driven policy approach, empowering the private sector, and instilling a governance system based on performance, transparency and innovation, ensuring Qatar's position as a regional and global leader in competitiveness and sustainable development. It should be noted that this is Qatar's 17th consecutive participation in the Global Competitiveness Report, representing a sustained collaboration between the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) and the National Planning Council.
