HE LOLWAH R M AL-KHATER
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is focused on pushing forward Qatar's foreign policy, sharing information and perspectives that could be useful for regional security and advancing the Qatari narratives on many issues facing the world today.
BIOGRAPHY
Lolwah R M Al-Khater was appointed Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar in 2017 and Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in December 2019. Before her appointment, she joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Minister Plenipotentiary. She also served as the director of planning and quality at Qatar Tourism Authority and as a research project manager at Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development. She is also a Media City board member and executive director of the Doha Forum. Al-Khater is also a board member at The Institute for Palestine Studies. She holds a master's of science in computing and a master's of arts in public policy. She is also a doctoral candidate in philosophy at the University of Oxford.
What have been your main areas of focus when it comes to improve the foreign affairs of Qatar?
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs aims to communicate Qatar's foreign policy with the rest of the world, to clarify any misconceptions or unverified information, and to advance the Qatari narratives on many issues facing the region and the world today. Qatar continues to be an active member of the international community, hence, communicating our messages with the rest of the world is vital. We continue to work closely with our partners and allies in the region and outside the region, to bring views closer, and to share information and perspectives that could be useful for our regional security and stability, in addition, to ensure a better understanding of not only Qatar, but the Middle East in general.
What is the holistic strategy of the ministry to increase diplomatic ties?
Qatar has always strived to strengthen and enhance its ties with the rest of the world, regardless of geography. This has been tested ever since the blockade on Qatar was initiated in June 2017, where we saw the significance of reaching out to more countries for possible cooperation in all matters and in different areas. We always keep in mind our shared values and common interests when initiating new ties or strengthening a current one. We need to emphasize the fact that Qatar has an open-door policy, and it continues to welcome friendships and cooperation with the rest of the world, be it diplomatic, commercial, or in any other sector and area.
How would you describe the current situation of the blockade, and what efforts is the ministry undertaking to mitigate this situation?
Qatar has been coping with the blockade effectively and efficiently; in fact, Qatar has defied the blockade and its intended effects and consequences. Life in Qatar continues to function as normal, despite the blockade entering into its third year. The only thing that remains and continues to be an obstacle and hardship is the disconnected families in the Gulf. Many Qataris have extended families elsewhere in the Gulf; the citizens of blockading countries cannot meet their families from Qatar, and families have to meet in a third country unfortunately. Kuwait and Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah have worked tirelessly to put this crisis to an end and resolve it with mediation, and for that we greatly thank them and appreciate their ongoing efforts to bring everyone closer; however, the blockading countries continue to be unresponsive, unfortunately. Qatar stands firm behind the need for dialogue and communication to resolve the GCC crisis and end the blockade, which we called for since the early days of the blockade. It is important to keep in mind that any dialogue happening should be based on four principles, which HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad has addressed previously during the 48th meeting for Shura Council: mutual respect, shared interests, no dictation on Qatar's foreign policy, and no internal interference.
What does it mean Qatar to host major sporting events in the world from a diplomatic point of view?
Sports is a crucial pillar in Qatar's diplomacy, and we can achieve a lot through sports, sports bring people together, it bypasses all differences, all political and non-political disputes, and it is a way to showcase how tolerance and the spirt of sports wins over all political disputes. It is also important to highlight that Qatar embedded the importance of sports within Qatari society, which is why since 2012, Qatar celebrates the National Sports Day' every year in February. The day is aimed at encouraging people to practice a healthy lifestyle and for sports to be a daily and integral component of their everyday routine.
HE LOLWAH R M AL-KHATER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, CEO, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority
Given its successful performance in the last few years, QFC is optimistic it will be able to capitalize on Qatar's ongoing efforts to create a world-class business environment and attract more global companies.
read articleInterview
Lolwah R M Al-Khater, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is focused on pushing forward Qatar's foreign policy, sharing information and perspectives that could be useful for regional security and advancing the Qatari narratives on many issues facing the world today.
read articleInterview
Richard O’Kennedy, Vice President, Research, Development, and Innovation, Qatar Foundation
The first country in the world to track its citizens' genomes, Qatar is on track to make one of modern science's biggest breakthroughs by personalizing medical treatment and precision care.
read articleInterview
Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister, Transport and Communications (MoTC)
With plans for a fully electric bus system and an impressive set of interconnected transportation options including metro, rail, and tram, the Ministry of Transport and Communication is shifting mobility into the next gear in Qatar.
read articleInterview
Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al Thani, Governor, Qatar Central Bank (QCB)
Encouraging local manufacturing, initiating self-sufficiency in dairy and farm products, expanding into new air and sea routes, offering select visa-free entry, and enacting fiscal reforms are but several of the successful reforms undertaken since 2017.
read articleInterview
Sean Kelly, Project Director, Place Vendôme
Place Vendôme is no ordinary mall: with 650 hotel rooms, a 6,000-sqm cinema with 18 screens, six slides, three toboggan runs, and an ice river opening in September 2020, it is looking to slide into Qatar's tourism infrastructure in time for the World Cup.
read articleInterview
Mehmed Zingal, General Manager, Turkish Airlines - Qatar
With its 30th year celebration of its Miles&Smiles club launch in Qatar, Turkish Airlines is acknowledging its continued diligence to provide the best customer service, with targets to increase customer happiness through innovative technologies and increasing tourism to Qatar for the future.
read articleInterview
Hassan Rashid Al-Derham, President, Qatar University (QU)
Ranked in the top-500 universities by the Times Higher Education, Qatar University improves students' academic success by supporting students throughout their academic lifecycle, from the pre-university stage to beyond graduation.
read articleFocus
A lesson learned
The international attention set to fall on Qatar over the coming years is significant only to the extent that it generates advances in human capital required by Qatar's blueprint, National Vision 2020, where local know-how and innovation advance the nation and promote wellbeing.
read articleInterview
Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health & Managing Director,, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)
The health minister is committed to continuing the growth of Qatar's healthcare system, with plans for more than 20 new facilities specializing in pediatrics, geriatrics, and mental health.
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