Situated strategically in Qatar, the forum saw a large attendance and participation from global business and political leaders to converge and tackle the ever-changing economic landscape, while giving special attention to emerging economies.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the State of Qatar, delivered the forum’s opening address, reaffirming Qatar’s position as a strong global player in energy supply chains and foreign direct investment. He further underscored the strength and stability of the country’s infrastructure, which has been meticulously developed over the last two decades, leveraging Qatar’s strategic location to connect east and west.

In a dedicated session on energy markets, His Excellency the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Eng. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, provided valuable insights into the future of global energy supply and demand. He revealed that negotiations for long-term contracts related to the North Field Expansion Project, the world’s largest single natural gas reservoir, are underway, with the possibility of concluding all agreements by the end of the year.

His Excellency the Minister of Finance, Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, highlighted the strength of Qatar’s economy, with a particular emphasis on non-hydrocarbon growth. He pointed out the impressive economic performance and GDP growth in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, while underscoring the favourable levels of inflation or controlled inflation rates.

The Qatar Economic Forum produced tangible outcomes that will have a positive impact on the future of global markets. Through the signing of numerous MoUs and the creation of new partnerships, the forum successfully fulfilled its objective of promoting international cooperation and fostering innovation.