The State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Interior, participated in the joint (emergency) meeting of the directors of the anti-drug agencies in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries held today through visual communication technology. The Qatari delegation participating in the meeting was led by Lt. Col. Mohammed Abdullah Mohammed Al Khater, Director of the Department of Studies and International Affairs of the General Directorate of Drug Control at the Ministry of Interior, where the meeting reviewed the mechanisms of cooperation between GCC in the field of drug control and the most prominent developments related to it. The meeting also discussed the emerging challenges related to drug promotion through social media.

H.E. Mr. Ali bin Ahmed Al-Kuwari, Minister of Trade and Industry and Acting Minister of Finance, met yesterday with a delegation of businessmen of the Qatari-French Economic Association (Kadran) and the international branch of the Association of French Employers (MEDEF), which is currently visiting the country. The meeting was attended by His Excellency Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to the Republic of France during the meeting, trade, industrial and investment relations between the two countries and ways to develop them were discussed in light of the close ties between the two friendly countries. H.E. The Minister of Commerce and Industry and Acting Minister of Finance stressed during the meeting the importance of the associations "Kadran" and "Mediph" as they represent important economic steps in the process of distinguished relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of France, which contributed to deepening and strengthening the ties of friendship between the two sides, pointing out that trade between the two countries played an important role in strengthening economic and trade relations, where the volume of trade between the two countries during 2020 reached approximately $1.36 billion. His Excellency explained that France is one of the most important strategic partners of the State of Qatar, where the number of French companies operating in Qatar reached 418 companies, including 68 companies with 100% French ownership, 339 companies established in partnership with the Qatari side, 8 companies licensed by the Qatar Financial Center, and 3 representative offices of the Republic of France. His Excellency pointed out that the state of Qatar has moved towards accelerating the implementation of initiatives and projects aimed at promoting its economic openness and supporting its position as an ideal destination for business and investment through the development and issuance of legislation stimulating the foreign private sector (foreign investment), such as the Law regulating the investment of non-Qatari capital in economic activity, and the Law on Investment Free Zones, Which allows foreign investors to own 100%. His Excellency added that the state has also worked to allow individuals and non-Qatari commercial companies to own real estate in several vital economic and tourism areas of the country, in addition to issuing a law to regulate the partnership between the government and private sectors, with the aim of increasing the contribution of private sector companies in the implementation, construction, financing, operation and management of development projects of the state, In this regard, he called on French companies to take advantage of this legislation and make more investments in the Qatari market. For its part, the business delegation of the Qatari-French Economic Association (Kadran) and the international branch of the Association of French Employers (MEDEF) during the meeting praised the distinguished relations between the Republic of France and the State of Qatar, they stressed the keenness of the French government and the private sector to strengthen relations for the benefit of the two countries. Kadran is an independent, non-profit organization founded in 2015 with major Qatari businesses operating in the Republic of France, major French companies operating in Qatar and influential figures.

The State of Qatar ranked globally in leading positions according to the World Bank's report under the title "Government Technology Maturity Index: in two indicators which are: the Public Service Delivery Index (A) The State of Digital Transformation in the Public Sector”, where it came in in the first group (PSDI) and the Government Technology Potential Index (GTEI). The State of Qatar also came in the second group, entitled "A great focus on government technology" in two indicators, the Government's Basic Systems Index and the Citizens' Participation Index, according to the information in the same report. According to the State of Qatar Government's website, the report included a comprehensive overview of the progress made by 198 global economies in the provision of digital government services, which were classified into four categories based on the maturity of government technology.

Nobia Wilman, director of the Chicago City Office of New Americans, said that 75 unaccompanied Afghani children were expected to arrive in Chicago and were scheduled to remain in FBI custody until they were resettled, according to the Associated Press. According to a report by Turkey's Daily Sabah, after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and Qatar's start of afghani evacuations and international nationals from Kabul airport, about 200 unaccompanied children arrived in Qatar and were received at a reception center. The children were taken care of by Qatar Charity in its quest to protect them and keep them away from human traffickers. Children received full attention in Qatar and events including playing football, exercising, and enjoying arts and crafts.

On the sidelines of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met, separately, with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Community of Sao Tome and Principe, Edite Ramos da Costa Ten Jua, HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Ruslan Kazakbaev, HE Minister of State for South Asian and the Commonwealth Affairs at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Lord Tariq Ahmad, HE Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs at Global Affairs Canada Marta Morgan, HE Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba, HE Executive Director of the Secretariat at the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Ambassador Kairat Sarybay and HE High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Miguel Angel Moratinos, at the building of the permanent delegation of the State of Qatar. During the meeting they reviewed bilateral cooperation relations and a number of regional and international issues in addition to a number of issues of mutual concern.

On the sidelines of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the State of Qatar participated in a mini-ministerial working dinner for key partners to prepare for the upcoming international conference on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The State of Qatar was represented at the ministerial working dinner by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi. It is worth mentioning that UNRWA provides assistance, protection and advocacy to about five million and six hundred thousand Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the occupied Palestinian territories, until a solution to their suffering is found; it is funded almost entirely through voluntary contributions by Member States of the United Nations. The Agency's services include education, health care, relief, camp infrastructure and improvement, community support and emergency response, including in times of armed conflict.

His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent a cable of congratulations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of his country's National Day.

The State of Qatar participated in the high-level meeting to celebrate the anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), on the sidelines of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The State of Qatar was represented at the meeting by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi. During the State of Qatar's speech at the meeting, HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs reiterated the State of Qatar's commitment to continue implementing the DDPA and harnessing all potentials and energies to promote respect for human rights and equality for all, as well as ensure justice for victims of racial discrimination. HE explained that combating racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia is a fundamental pillar of the policy of the State of Qatar, adding that the State of Qatar was one of the pioneering countries in promoting the values of tolerance and equality for all, regardless of race, gender or color. He said that based on this, the Constitution of the State of Qatar guarantees equality before the law, adding that the State of Qatar is proud to host more than one million people of difference races, religions and societies who live in harmony with the Qatari people, according to the values and traditions that are known in our society, which are enshrined in legislation. HE also noted the State of Qatar's accession to all international human rights instruments, including international conventions related to combating racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia. HE pointed out that the DDPA represents one of the pillars on which we work to confirm our partnership with the international community to address discrimination and racism and work to achieve justice for victims of racist policies and discrimination with the aim of building societies based on mutual respect and coexistence in harmony and homogeneity. He added that in line with the State's policy in this regard, the State of Qatar has established many institutions aimed at spreading the values of tolerance and dialogue and confronting extremism and racism. HE pointed out that the State of Qatar played a leading role at the international level in supporting the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) since it was founded in 2005, and we are keen to support its programs that are aimed at rapprochement between peoples, religions and civilizations. In this context, the Government of the State of Qatar signed a memorandum of understanding with UNAOC in Dec. 2019, he explained, adding that the State

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2022 are proceeding "very well." Infantino told Russia's Sputnik "The preparations are very good, we will be ready, and it will be an amazing World Cup,". The High Commission for Projects and Legacy announced yesterday the completion of grass brushes on the floor of Lucille Stadium, the eight largest stadiums of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, with a capacity of 80,000 fans, and will host the final of the tournament next year. So far, work has been completed on five stadiums where World Cup matches will be held: the renovated Khalifa International Stadium, The South Stadium, The Educational City Stadium, Ahmed Ben Ali Stadium and The House Stadium. The High Committee for Projects and Heritage also announced the readiness of Al-Thamama Stadium, the sixth stadium World Cup, to host the final of the H.H. Prince Cup, which will bring together Al Sadd and Al Rayyan on October 22nd. From November 21 to December 18, 2022, Qatar will host the first FIFA World Cup in the history of the Arab world and the competitions will be held on eight stadiums.

A cargo plane loaded with urgent medical aid provided by the State of Qatar through Qatar Fund for Development has arrived in the Islamic Republic of Iran, in the context of supporting Iran's efforts to confront the outbreak of COVID-19. Waiting for the arrival of the cargo were Undersecretary of the Iranian Health Ministry for International Cooperation Affairs Jalal Naeli and Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the State of Qatar to Iran Dr. Abdullah Salem Al Nuaimi. The aid, which weighs 3.5 tons, includes materials and medical supplies to combat the outbreak of the pandemic. It is worth noting that this shipment is the fifth provided by the State of Qatar, through the Fund, to the Islamic Republic of Iran since the outbreak of the pandemic. This medical aid provided by the State of Qatar to fraternal and friendly counties comes within the framework of the Qatari efforts to combat the spread of this pandemic, which represents a common threat facing the whole world. This aid also emphasizes the State of Qatar's support for fraternal and friendly countries and its assistance to them to overcome this crisis.