September 18, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, along with the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, and other senior officials welcomed His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar to Canada, from September 17 to 18.

The visit was an opportunity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of strong diplomatic relations between Canada and Qatar. The two countries are advancing co-operation on artificial intelligence, clean energy, agribusiness, and critical minerals as well as growing trade and investment, promoting sustainable development, creating opportunities for businesses, and strengthening people-to-people ties.

Collaborating on international development initiatives was a key focus of the Emir’s visit. Canada and Qatar signed a memorandum of understanding that aims to strengthen Canada-Qatar cooperation on social and economic progress in developing countries. In addition, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and Qatar’s Education Above All Foundation (EAA) signed a framework for cooperation that includes the co-funding of development projects in the education sector. As part of this framework, UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited will receive $40 million from GAC and $40M USD from the EAA Foundation to support marginalized and vulnerable communities.

Canada and Qatar also committed to working together to address global issues of mutual concern, including the urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and the safe distribution of humanitarian aid to civilians, the situation in Afghanistan and efforts toward a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine. Qatar will collaborate with Canada in providing treatment and psychological support to Gazans evacuated to Qatar as part of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s initiative to treat 1,500 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. Both countries acknowledged the Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Political Consultations, signed in Doha in May 2024, as a valuable mechanism for exchanging views and deepening cooperation.