Doha: In its editorial on Thursday, Al-Raya newspaper highlighted the State of Qatar’s active participation in the 108th session of the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) held in The Hague. During the session, Qatar’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Qatar’s Representative to the OPCW, Dr. Mutlaq bin Majid Al Qahtani, reaffirmed Qatar’s firm commitment to supporting OPCW’s efforts to fully eliminate chemical weapons and enhance international security and stability.
According to Qatar News Agency, Al-Raya emphasized Qatar’s call for the complete elimination of chemical weapons, underscoring its commitment to global peace and security. The newspaper noted that these efforts strive for a world free of chemical weapons, which pose a threat to the future of humanity. Al-Raya concluded by stating that Qatar cooperates with all international efforts aimed at banning and eliminating chemical weapons and calls for effective global action to ensure these weapons do not fall into the hands of criminal and terrorist groups.
In another matter, The Peninsula newspaper reported that Qatar is emerging as a hub of major global industry conferences and exhibitions, attracting industry leaders from around the world. With advanced mobility infrastructure, venues, and ease of business, the country has made significant progress in the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) sector. Doha has successfully hosted leading industry events such as the Doha Watches and Jewellery Exhibition, Geneva International Motor Show Qatar, and Web Summit Qatar.
Qatar has signed an agreement to host the Mobile World Congress (MWC Doha) for five consecutive years, marking a historic first for the Middle East and North Africa region. MWC will be the second major tech event, after Web Summit, to be held in Doha annually. This development is expected to accelerate digital transformation and solidify Qatar’s position as a global hub for digital innovation, aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030. The Peninsula noted that MWC Doha will arrive in the region at a pivotal point, boosting Qatar’s and the region’s ICT sector.
On the local health front, Al-Arab newspaper addressed the issue of obesity among children in Qatar. Despite significant steps taken by the State to reduce obesity, the newspaper reported that children remain exposed to numerous health risks. The State has provided various facilities, including playgrounds, jogging and walking tracks, and cycling paths equipped with high-quality fitness equipment. However, the number of users remains below the desired level, highlighting the urgent need for children to engage in sports to overcome obesity.
Al-Arab noted that the prevalence of obesity among school-aged children in the country reached 27% between 2019 and 2020. Estimates indicate that obesity and overweight are the primary causes of two-thirds of diabetes cases, with childhood obesity playing a significant role in the overall spread of diabetes in Qatar.