Ambassadors Hail Amir’s Vision for Resilience and Diplomacy in Shura Council Address

Ambassadors from multiple diplomatic missions in Qatar have expressed strong praise for the address delivered by His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, during the opening of the 55th session of the Shura Council. The envoys highlighted the resilience, diplomatic commitment, and forward-looking vision outlined by the Amir, noting Qatar’s notable steps amid a challenging geopolitical landscape.

Diplomatic Praise for Resilience and Dialogue

Australian Ambassador Shane Flanagan said it was an honour to attend the speech. He mourned the passing of His Highness the Father Amir, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, and recognised his enduring legacy and contribution to Qatar’s prosperity. Flanagan commended Qatar’s resilience in the face of aggression and its steadfast commitment to diplomacy and regional stability. He shared the Amir’s conviction that ending the war is an urgent priority, noting that the longer the conflict continues, the greater its regional and global costs. The ambassador also emphasised the importance of restoring and protecting freedom of navigation in West Asia, describing safe passage through vital maritime corridors as essential for international supply chains, global energy markets, and regional stability.

German Ambassador Oliver Owcza remarked that the address comes at a time when the region faces profound challenges and diplomacy matters more than ever. He said the Amir’s emphasis on cooperation, dialogue, and building resilience sends an important message that resonates beyond Qatar’s borders. Owcza noted that Qatar has consistently demonstrated the value of keeping communication channels open and pursuing diplomatic solutions even under the most difficult circumstances. Germany, he added, greatly appreciates Qatar’s commitment to mediation and its constructive role in promoting peace in the region and beyond. The partnership, he stressed, is built on a shared conviction that lasting peace, stability, and security can only be achieved through dialogue, cooperation, and mutual trust.

French Ambassador Arnaud Pescheux said he was honoured to attend the address, which he described as conveying a powerful message of resilience, confidence, and determination. He was particularly inspired by the Amir’s emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy combined with a firm commitment to safeguarding Qatar’s sovereignty and national security. This vision, he said, resonates deeply with France’s own commitment to peace, stability, and respect for international law. Pescheux reiterated France’s unwavering solidarity with Qatar, its leadership, and its people, expressing confidence that Qatar’s resilience and constructive role on the international stage will continue to make a positive difference. France stands alongside Qatar as a trusted friend and strategic partner, he affirmed.

Honouring the Legacy of the Father Amir

Uzbekistan’s Ambassador Ashraf Khodjaev described the address as a powerful testament to leadership under pressure. He quoted the Amir’s words that resilience is not born in the moment of crisis but is the result of planning that precedes it. Khodjaev noted that Qatar’s conduct throughout recent events—defending its sovereignty while keeping the doors of diplomacy open—reflects wisdom that Uzbekistan deeply values and shares. He welcomed the emphasis on dialogue, peaceful resolution of disputes, and the call to secure navigation in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, which he said is vital for global energy security and trade. The ambassador also commended Qatar’s economic strength, with non-hydrocarbon sectors at approximately 80 percent of real GDP, and its determination to use recovery as a springboard to accelerate economic diversification. He noted the focus on human capital, which the Amir described as the foundation of national progress. Khodjaev joined in honouring the memory of the late Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, whose legacy continues to inspire Qatar’s progress, and expressed Uzbekistan’s readiness to deepen strategic partnership for mutual prosperity.

Peru’s Ambassador Gonzalo Voto Bernales Gatica said the speech addressed pressing issues facing Qatar and the wider international community, offering reassurance amid ongoing uncertainty while reaffirming Qatar’s positions on domestic and international affairs. He highlighted the Amir’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding sovereignty and the importance of diplomacy and dialogue to achieve peace. The ambassador noted the emphasis on preventing further escalation and pursuing peaceful solutions. Building on the legacy of the late Father Amir, who worked tirelessly for Qatar’s comprehensive renaissance, the Amir stressed the nation’s resilience and its determination to remain actively engaged internationally. Voto Bernales Gatica underscored the Amir’s commitment to placing people at the centre of national priorities, as well as measures to maintain momentum and ensure continuity of essential supplies, including food. The emphasis on education and digital transformation as essential pillars for addressing future challenges demonstrated Qatar’s determination to invest in knowledge, innovation, and capabilities for long-term progress. The ambassador expressed Peru’s readiness to strengthen bilateral economic ties, particularly in mining, energy, agriculture, and food supply chains, to support Qatar’s economic diversification objectives.

Emphasis on Economic Diversification and Bilateral Ties

Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador Theon Ali noted with appreciation the Amir’s statement that Qatar continued to fulfil its responsibilities to global energy security and the world economy even while managing a crisis at home. He described that as the mark of a state that understands the weight of its position, and exactly the kind of principled leadership his country values in an interconnected world.

Canada’s Ambassador Karim Morcos described the speech as clear, confident, and forward-looking. At a time when many countries are navigating uncertainty, the emphasis on resilience, economic diversification, institutional effectiveness, and investment in people reflected a vision grounded in both ambition and pragmatism, he said. Morcos noted a striking convergence between Qatar’s vision and Canada’s own economic priorities, which include diversifying trade and investment partnerships, attracting global capital, advancing artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, strengthening supply chains, and building sustainable growth through innovation. The recent elevation of Canada-Qatar relations through a Strategic Dialogue, he said, comes at exactly the right moment. Qatar’s success in leveraging its energy strengths while investing in a diversified, knowledge-based economy creates significant opportunities for collaboration. Canada offers a compelling destination for Qatari investment across sectors ranging from energy and critical minerals to technology, infrastructure, AI, and advanced manufacturing. As both countries pursue diversification and resilience, the scope for partnership is expanding rapidly, and the future of the Canada-Qatar relationship has never been more promising, the ambassador concluded.