Doha: The State of Qatar marked a day of diplomatic outreach and solidarity as it extended congratulatory messages to Sudan and Cuba on significant national occasions. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani sent cables of congratulations to His Excellency Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of the Republic of the Sudan, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, on the occasion of Sudan’s Independence Day, and to His Excellency President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel, on the occasion of the Triumph of the Revolution Day.
According to Qatar News Agency, His Highness the Amir also received a written message from His Excellency Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, which focused on enhancing bilateral relations and finding ways to support and develop these ties. Simultaneously, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani echoed these gestures by sending congratulatory cables to both Sudan and Cuba on their respective national events.
Moreover, His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani participated in these diplomatic efforts, sending his own congratulatory messages to Sudan’s Lieutenant General Al Burhan and Cuba’s Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz. In addition to his diplomatic duties, Sheikh Mohammed chaired the regular Cabinet meeting at the Amiri Diwan.
Qatar also expressed a strong condemnation of a car-ramming incident in New Orleans, USA, which resulted in casualties. In other developments, the Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, launched an advanced occupational and environmental medicine program as part of Qatar’s Second National Health Strategy.
Further demonstrating its commitment to humanitarian aid, Qatar Charity provided essential food assistance to families affected by floods in Mauritania’s Brakna and Trarza regions. Meanwhile, the Qatar Red Crescent Society concluded its participation in the ‘Spring Centers’ initiative, organized by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
Cultural and community advances were also highlighted with the inauguration of a new mosque in the Rasheeda area by the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs and an upcoming celebration of World Braille Day by Al Noor Center for the Blind. In economics, Qatar recorded a merchandise trade balance surplus of QR 57.7 billion in Q3 2024, indicating a slight decrease from the previous year. Additionally, Qatar Ports Management Company reported a 13 percent increase in container shipments in December compared to 2023, signaling robust trade activity.
Athletic and tourism sectors also showcased significant developments with the announcement of the 2025 sports events calendar by the Qatar Olympic Committee, featuring 84 events, and the Qatar Tennis Federation’s commencement of ticket sales for major tennis tournaments. Qatar Tourism concluded 2024 with significant achievements, reflecting its rising influence in global tourism.