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Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour H E Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani, met with Head of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Firas Adel Al-Budairi yesterday. During the meeting, they discussed areas of cooperation between the State of Qatar and the IOM, and ways to strengthen and further develop this collaboration in the coming period.

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DOHA: The Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities (RACA) and the Regional Network for Social Responsibility (RNSR) have discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation in the areas of institutional social responsibility and charitable work. Both sides also explored opportunities for forging outstanding partnerships that help upgrade social initiatives and national cohesion. The joint meeting, held at RACA’s premises, addressed backing the ongoing efforts to achieve sustainable social development in alignment with Qatar’s national orientations and the social development pillar set out in Qatar National Vision 2030, alongside the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030’s Fourth Strategic National Outcome: Cohesive Society. The two sides stressed the importance of promoting the culture of responsible giving, values of belonging and solidarity, as well as social responsibility through leveraging expandable innovative national initiatives, such as a platform for coordinating internal aid, which helps build an integrated system of social work and document outstanding practices as upgradable and applicable reference models on a large scale. In this regard, RACA reviewed an array of leading national initiatives it oversees, foremost of which is an advanced national initiative that aims to develop a platform for social work at home, in addition to fostering coordination and integration among relevant entities, thereby contributing to enhancing the efficiency of aid allocation and achieving social inclusion. The platform epitomizes a state-of-the-art institutional model in managing social work, as it unifies efforts, depends on data, and enforces governance and transparency principles in support of the transition from traditional care models to enduring social empowerment ones. It further bolsters family and individual capabilities for self-dependence and active engagement in development, with the platform being the first-of-its-kind at the world level, positioning itself as a framework for partnership between social, charitable, and government sectors under the umbrella of the RACA-led shared national initiative. As such, RNSR’s delegation applauded the role RACA undertakes in leading and regulating the social and charitable work sector, alongside the outstanding initiatives it oversees, chief among which is the new platform, representing an advanced institutional practice that helps fashion social impact, boost multilateral partnerships, and spur responsible and enduring innovation. At the meeting, RNSR honoured RACA General Manager Ibrahim Abdullah Al Dehaimi, marking his selection among the most influential Arab figures in the field of social responsibility for 2025, in recognition of his leading role in advancing the social and charitable work system and enhancing its impact and sustainability on the national stage.

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New Delhi: The Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of India H E Mohammed bin Hassan Al Jaber has hailed Doha’s engagement as guest of honour at this year’s New Delhi World Book Fair as a move aimed at strengthening cultural dialogue and knowledge exchange between the Arab world and India. Addressing a press conference yesterday ahead of the fair’s opening, Al Jaber said the participation, led by Qatar’s Ministry of Culture, highlights the importance of deepening intellectual and cultural cooperation between two ancient civilisations with long traditions of scholarship and learning. The book fair will run from January 10 to 18 and is expected to attract publishers and cultural institutions from more than 35 countries. Al Jaber said Qatar’s involvement reflects its commitment to building bridges between cultures, promoting openness and expanding cooperation in publishing, translation and knowledge production. He added that such engagement helps foster mutual understanding and reinforces the role of culture and reading in connecting societies. The press conference was attended by a delegation from Qatar’s Ministry of Culture including Jassim Ahmed Al Buainain, director of the Doha International Book Fair. The delegation outlined the main features of the exhibition, its accompanying cultural and intellectual programs, and the role of international participation in supporting the publishing industry and cultural exchange. Al Buainain said Qatar’s selection as guest of honour underlines its desire to maintain a strong presence at major international cultural events. He noted that Qatar’s program will include participation in panel discussions, translation and publishing rights conferences, and showcases of Qatari publishing houses. He also highlighted the presentation of books translated into Hindi, as well as performances by Qatari folk groups and a broader cultural program designed to reflect the diversity and richness of Qatar’s cultural scene. For his part, Director of India’s National Book Trust, Yuvraj Malik has embraced Qatar’s engagement as a demonstration of the depth of cultural relations between the two countries and a contributor to strengthening dialogue between India and the Arab world. He said this year’s fair features more than 1,000 publishers and over 3,000 exhibition stands, alongside more than 600 cultural and intellectual events, including seminars, panel discussions and programs for children and young people.