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Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Municipality represented by the Public Parks Department and the Projects and Environment Department, in cooperation with the Friends of the Municipality Group and the 974 Beach Management, organised a series of awareness events to mark International Day of Education, which falls on January 24th each year, under the slogan "Conscious Education... For a Cleaner Society." The events were attended by MOM's Assistant Undersecretary for Public Services Affairs, Engineer Abdullah Ahmed Al Karani. The events included a range of interactive educational activities in an open environment, aiming to integrate education with entertainment. These included awareness workshops on wildlife conservation, the use of interactive displays and storytelling, as well as presentations by students from the Friends of the Municipality Group, which contributed to fostering a spirit of leadership and responsibility among them. The events also witnessed active community partnerships with the participation of several private sector partners. Specialised entities contributed to organising educational workshops on waste sorting and recycling, providing students with an opportunity to showcase their creativity using environmentally friendly materials. Regarding the events, Assistant Director of the Public Hygiene Department at Ministry of Municipality, Mohammed Faraj Al Kubaisi explained in a statement that they represent an important step towards instilling a culture of cleanliness and environmental responsibility in future generations. He emphasised the Public Hygiene Department's commitment to supporting such initiatives that enhance quality of life and align with national sustainability goals. For his part, Head of the Beaches and Islands Section and official spokesperson for the events, Engineer Masoud Al Nuaimi highlighted that this initiative reflects the Ministry of Municipality's keenness to build an environmentally conscious generation capable of actively participating in achieving Qatar's sustainability vision.

General

Doha, Qatar: The seventh Souq Waqif International Honey Exhibition opened on Thursday at the Eastern Square, featuring honey and related products from 100 participating companies representing 20 countries. In addition, the exhibition includes more than 50 bee-related products, including propolis, beeswax, pollen and royal jelly. Organised by the Private Engineering Office, the exhibition runs until January 31, and is open daily from 9am to 12 noon and 4pm to 9pm. Speaking on the occasion, Khaled Saif Al-Suwaidi, General Supervisor of the exhibition, said the event is not limited to commercial displays, but also places strong emphasis on quality control and public health, noting that strict measures are in place to ensure the safety and authenticity of products on display. “We have rigorous monitoring procedures, including a permanent laboratory within the exhibition grounds,” he said, adding that the Ministry of Municipality and the Ministry of Public Health are also present and conduct random sampling to ensure compliance with regulations. “Honey is a highly valuable food product that people of all ages rely on, and we are committed to ensuring its quality through proper testing and laboratory analysis,” he added. Khaled Saif Al-Suwaidi, General Supervisor of the exhibition (right)and Assistant Director of Administrative and Financial Affairs at the Private Engineering Office, Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Naama.This photo is by Souq Waqif. Al-Suwaidi said a dedicated doctor is available throughout the exhibition to provide consultations or treatment. “Anyone with health concerns can visit the clinic, whether for advice, treatment related to bee stings, or alternative therapies using honey and bee products,” he said. Participants include local honey farms in Qatar, GCC exhibitors, and international sellers from countries including Oman, the UAE, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Bosnia, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Libya, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Iran, offering a wide range of pure honey and flavoured varieties such as walnut, ginger, zaatar and herbal blends. The exhibition features popular types including sidr, manuka and jabaly honey, as well as other well-known varieties such as acacia, wildflower, clover and eucalyptus. The opening day drew large crowds of citizens, residents and tourists who came to taste different varieties and purchase local and imported honey. Mohamed, a Canadian passenger stopping over in Doha, told The Peninsula: “I am here for a three-day transit and I was lucky to visit Souq Waqif on the opening day of the exhibition.” He added: “It is my first time to experience this kind of exhibition that allowed me to taste all kinds of honey, and I have bought a lot for myself and as souvenirs.” Another visitor, Aysum from Kazakhstan, said she learned about the exhibition while touring Souq Waqif. “I never knew there were many kinds of honey before until I visited here and exhibitors helped me with explaining and educating,” she said, adding that she bought honey from a Kyrgyz seller and “overall, I loved the exhibition.” Nada, a Qatari exhibitor, said her products are locally made at her farm in Al Shahaniya. “We have organic honey made in our farm,” she said, adding that flavours include sidr, ginger and walnut. She noted that prices vary depending on the type and jar size, ranging from QR80 to QR400. Now in its seventh year, the exhibition remains one of Souq Waqif’s most anticipated seasonal events, attracting visitors seeking variety, trusted quality and the health benefits associated with honey and bee products.

General

Davos: The Minister of Commerce and Industry, HE Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani held meetings with several ministers on the sidelines of the 2026 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. HE Sheikh Faisal met with Minister of Commerce of Saudi Arabia, HE Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi; Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia, HE Bandar bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef; Minister of Commerce and Industry of Kuwait, HE Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Ajil; and MinisterofIndustryandMinister responsibleforCanada Economic DevelopmentforQuebecRegions, HE Melanie Joly. The meetings focused on enhancing cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, and industry, exchanging views on key topics on the Forum's agenda, and discussing a number of issues of mutual interest. HE Minister of Commerce and Industry also participated in a high-level session entitled "Strategic Partnerships and Investments in the Metals Sector," which explored ways to strengthen international cooperation in this vital sector and its role in supporting global supply chains and sustainable industrial development.