Qatar Tourism announced on 16 April 2023, that the "Hayya" platform — initially used to issue visitor visas for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ – has become the platform to obtain all tourist visas to the State of Qatar.

The Embassy of the State of Qatar in Havana just published its most recent issue of the Newsletter Qatar in Cuba. Some of the news cover the ‘Al-Ula Declaration’ (the first step to achieve unity and stability among the members of the GCC, after more than 3 years of the blockade imposed on Doha); and a message of our Ambassador saluting and congratulating the Cuban people and the Goverment for having celebrated a new Anniversary of the Revolution. The presentation of the Copie d'Usage by our Ambassador to the Foreign Minister of The Bahamas is also included.

HE the ambassador of the State of Qatar in Havana, Mr. Abdulla bin Mohammed Al-Derbasti extended the congratulation to the People and Government of Cuba, on the occasion of the victory of the Revolution, in a video that has been broadcasted in different Cuban media.

The Embassy issued the fourteenth issue of its newsletter “Qatar In Cuba”, which is issued in English and Spanish every three months, containing: Page 1: Amir “Qatar will Hold Shura Council Elections Next Year” Cuban Ministry of Health Receives Qatari Donation to Fight Covid-19. Page 2: Qatar National Day: A Moment to Remember the History H.H. Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser Opened Virtual WISH 2020 Qatar Praised for Implementing 2030 Sustainable Development Plan Page 3: Qatar Condemns Systematic Hate Speech Based on Belief, Race or Religion UN Expert Calls for Lifting of Sanctions against Qatar Doha Wins Bid to Host the Asian Games 2030! Page 4: Qatar Energy Sector Overcome Pandemic Repercussions. Qatar Petroleum Started Operations of QP Trading LLC, Its LNG Trading Arm Qatar Sustainability Week (QSW)2020: Invitation to Protect the Environment

Her Excellency Mrs. Katheryn Phipps, Ambassador of Jamaica to the Republic of Cuba, received a copy of the credentials of His Excellency Mr. Abdulla bin Mohammed Al-Derbasti, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar who is not a resident of Jamaica. HE Ms. Katheryn Phipps wished the Ambassador success in his work assignments and further development and growth in the bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Embassy of the State of Qatar in Havana celebrated virtually the National Day of the State. The embassy also received congratulations on this occasion from the official Cuban authorities and a large number of embassies accredited to the Republic of Cuba, in addition to the governments of the Bahamas and Jamaica, which are the countries that fall under the diplomatic representation of the embassy as a non-resident ambassador.

The State of Qatar has renewed its commitment to the culture of peace, warning against creating crises and spreading hatred among peoples, during a statement made by Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, the permanent representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, before the United Nations General Assembly in its 75th session, to discuss the issue of "Peace Culture". Her Excellency stated that the violation of state sovereignty and the lack of respect for international law and human rights contradicts the spread of a culture of peace, in reference to the continuing unjust blockade imposed on the State of Qatar. Her Excellency the Ambassador said that what is cause for concern is the provocative discourse that targets nearly two billion Muslims. HE also affirmed the commitment of the State of Qatar to pursue a foreign policy aimed at resolving disputes by peaceful means through mediation and preventive diplomacy.

A seminar organized by Qatar University, on November 25, sheds light on the Shura Council elections, scheduled for October next year, under the title “The Qatari Shura Council Elections: A Future Vision” and the impact of this experience on enhancing popular participation and building a modern state. Dr. Hassan bin Rashid Al-Derham, President of Qatar University, said in a speech during the seminar that the Shura Council elections mean the start of a new phase of the national construction process and the continuation of decent living for its people, generation after generation, as stipulated in the National Vision 2030. For his part, Brigadier General Salem Saqr Al-Muraikhi, Director of the Legal Affairs Department at the Ministry of Interior, affirmed that this step constitutes a historical turning point and a qualitative leap in the shura (deliberations) work in the State of Qatar, and that it guarantees real representation of Qatari citizens of all groups. In turn, Dr. Hamad Al-Hababi, assistant professor of constitutional law at the College of Law at Qatar University, presented the conditions for membership in the Shura Council, and the council’s competencies in accordance with the provisions of the Qatari constitution, while Dr. Ali Al-Ram - an international expert in combating corruption and monitoring the integrity of legislative and municipal elections - addressed the issue of integrity guarantees in the electoral process.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, said during his speech at the session, under the title "A View from the Middle East", within the work of the Global Security Forum 2020, that All States Involved Must Have the Desire to Solve Gulf Crisis, expressing his country's readiness to reach solutions, whether this is done through US President Donald Trump or President-elect Joe Biden. He praised the role played by His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the late Emir of Kuwait, which is being continued by His Highness Sheikh Nawwaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait. On the American elections, His Excellency explained that the election result concerns the Americans in the first place, while the State of Qatar congratulates the new leadership, whether it is the administration of President-elect Biden or President Trump, indicating the strength of Qatar-US relations. He said that the State of Qatar hopes to work with the next US administration to promote peace and stability in the region, which it desperately needs now. His Excellency explained that the region needs more diplomatic and peaceful efforts to resolve disputes, referring to the disputes between the GCC and Iran. His Excellency said that this also applies to the crisis in Afghanistan. He stressed the position of the State of Qatar towards crises in some Arab countries, such as the Palestinian issue, referring to the two agreements signed by the Emirates and Bahrain with Israel as well as the crisis in Syria. During his speech about the arms race, HE said that this is a clear indication of instability in the region, and that the State of Qatar is keen on good relations with the United States of America, Russia and China. On the energy issue, His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs clarified that Qatar supplies the world nearly 30 percent of LNG, indicating that all countries that depend on the energy economy need for a future a world not reliant on hydrocarbon energy sources. His Excellency said that the State of Qatar launched a national strategy for 2030 that aimed to diversify the economy away from energy.

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Russian Parliament, "the State Duma", welcomed the announcement by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the country, "may God protect him", that the Shura Council elections will be held next October, stressing that this decision will contribute to the development of parliamentary cooperation, Between the legislative powers in the Russian Federation and the State of Qatar, and that it will deepen the participation of citizens in the legislative process. The committee also praised the effective Qatari role in settling every issue important to the stability and security of the Near and Middle East. For its part, the African Parliament welcomed the announcement made by His Highness that elections will be held for the Shura Council, indicating that this announcement will pave the way for cooperation between the African Parliament and the Shura Council in the State of Qatar. The Government of Japan, in a statement of its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also welcomed the announcement of the holding of elections in the State of Qatar. The commendations continued with the announcement by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the country, "may God protect him," as His Excellency Mr. Habib Al-Maliki, Speaker of Parliament in the Kingdom of Morocco praised this step. From the Latin American continent, the Parliament of the Republic of Panama praised this step as well. ​