Doha: HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani inaugurated today the third edition of Web Summit Qatar, the fastest-growing technology event in the Middle East and North Africa, which runs until February 4 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC).
According to Qatar News Agency, the opening ceremony was attended by a lineup of Their Excellencies ministers and senior officials, alongside global innovators, decision-makers, investors, and technology leaders from around the world. In his keynote address, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani affirmed Qatar's commitment to playing an active role in shaping the future of global innovation by strengthening international partnerships and supporting the technology ecosystem and startup community.
"We meet at a moment when innovation is the world's most valuable currency," HE the Prime Minister said. "In Qatar, we do not want to simply watch the future arrive. We want to shape it, alongside partners from around the world." He noted that in just two years, Web Summit Qatar has firmly established itself as a reference point for the global technology community, driving conversations, partnerships, and investment priorities for the year ahead. "The momentum is extraordinary," he added.
HE the Prime Minister highlighted the accelerating pace of global innovation, pointing out that worldwide research and development spending is approaching USD 3 trillion annually, while AI startups captured around one-third of global venture capital investment in 2024. He also noted that nearly six billion people are now online, including 1.2 billion young people aged between 15 and 24, underscoring the importance of building capabilities in areas ranging from coding to finance.
In this context, HE announced the launch of 'QAI', Qatar's national artificial intelligence company, explaining that it will deliver sovereign AI infrastructure and software systems to strengthen Qatar's capabilities and support partners worldwide, ensuring sustained innovation. Highlighting Qatar's competitive advantages, HE the Prime Minister said the country offers exceptional global connectivity.
He further announced a major expansion of Qatar's support for startups and venture capital, revealing the extension of the Fund of Funds program launched by the Qatar Investment Authority. Building on the initial USD 1 billion commitment-which has already anchored 12 major venture capital firms in Doha-the program will be expanded by an additional USD 2 billion. "We are pairing capital with technical power," HE said, announcing the provision of dedicated computing credits for Qatar-based startups to accelerate growth.
Additionally, HE the Prime Minister announced the extension of Qatar Development Bank's 'Start from Qatar' program through 2026, alongside the launch of a 10-year residency program for entrepreneurs, founders, investors, and senior executives. "We invite you to put down roots and grow alongside a nation that invests in your future," he said, emphasizing improvements in operational speed for startup founders in Qatar.
For his part, Founder and CEO of Web Summit, Paddy Cosgrave, said the event has become one of the most influential platforms shaping the global technology landscape, noting that the world's technological center of gravity has begun to shift markedly over the past three years. He revealed that Web Summit Qatar 2026 brings together participants from more than 120 countries, reflecting the country's growing global role in the technology sector.
Over the next three days, Web Summit Qatar 2026 will host a comprehensive program spanning more than 14 thematic tracks, featuring panel discussions, workshops, and interactive dialogues with global leaders, experts, and entrepreneurs. Topics include artificial intelligence, fintech, the digital economy, energy, digital health, e-government, and more, cementing the summit's status as a global platform for knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships.