The Middle East Council on Global Affairs (ME Council) and Katara Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on November 4, 2026, to strengthen intellectual, cultural, and research cooperation. The agreement will support joint initiatives and programs to advance knowledge exchange, foster dialogue, and bring together researchers, intellectuals, and cultural figures in Qatar and the wider region.
H.E. Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, General Manager of Katara and Dr. Khalid Al-Jaber, Executive Director of the ME Council, signed the MoU at Katara in Doha during a press conference hosted by the foundation. The partnership aims to advance collaborative programs and initiatives that reinforce Doha’s position as a hub for research, culture, and intercultural dialogue.
In his remarks, H.E. Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti welcomed the partnership, emphasizing that it represents an important step toward strengthening the relationship between culture and intellectual thought. He highlighted the importance of leveraging the two institutions’ combined expertise and capabilities to establish new avenues for intellectual, research, and cultural cooperation.
“The true value of institutional partnerships is not measured merely by the breadth of their areas of cooperation, but by the new horizons they open for thought and action, and by the impact they generate beyond institutional boundaries, extending into broader spheres of knowledge and human interaction,” Prof. Dr. Al-Sulaiti said.
He noted that culture has become an essential means of interpreting global transformations and understanding their human and social dimensions. Its role is no longer limited to preserving cultural heritage or showcasing artistic creativity but has expanded to include generating new perspectives, promoting dialogue, and deepening mutual understanding among societies.
Prof. Dr. Al-Sulaiti stressed that the signing of the MoU reflects Katara’s mission and its ongoing efforts to build bridges between cultures and expand partnerships with intellectual and research institutions that share common interests. These efforts align with the State of Qatar’s role in promoting openness, mutual understanding, and intercultural dialogue.
Dr. Khalid Al-Jaber, Executive Director of the ME Council, welcomed the signing of the MoU with Katara, describing it as an important step toward building a partnership that combines the depth of academic research with the vibrancy of the cultural and creative landscape.
He praised Katara’s pioneering role in enriching cultural life in Qatar and the wider region, noting that the significance of this partnership stems from a shared conviction that intellectual thought and culture are not separate fields but complementary forces in shaping societal awareness and promoting openness and communication among peoples.
“We look forward to translating this partnership into tangible programs and initiatives through the organization of seminars, lectures, intellectual forums, and joint workshops, bringing together researchers, academics, thinkers, and cultural figures from the Gulf, the Arab world, and across the globe,” Dr. Al-Jaber said.
He explained that these activities will provide a platform for exchanging perspectives and expertise, discussing intellectual, social, cultural, and humanitarian issues, and exploring emerging regional and international developments. These efforts will enrich public discourse and provide opportunities for audiences to engage directly with issues affecting their present lives and future.
He added that the ambition behind this partnership extends beyond traditional frameworks of institutional cooperation. It seeks to establish a model that combines the production and dissemination of knowledge, academic research and community engagement, and cultural identity and global openness, thereby strengthening Doha’s standing as a regional and international center for intellectual thought, creativity, and intercultural dialogue.
Dr. Al-Jaber emphasized that the partnership’s success will not be measured by the number of events and activities organized by the two institutions but by their ability to translate ideas into lasting intellectual and cultural impact and make knowledge accessible to a wider audience.
He stressed that greater engagement between research and cultural institutions and the wider community can transform knowledge into a powerful force for enlightenment and positive change.
New Horizons for Intellectual and Cultural Cooperation
The MoU opens new avenues for cooperation between Katara and the ME Council through the development of joint programs and events that bring together researchers, thinkers, and cultural figures. These initiatives will contribute to enriching the cultural and intellectual landscape and bringing intellectual and humanitarian issues to the forefront of public discourse.
The partnership also reflects both institutions’ commitment to harnessing culture and scientific research to foster dialogue and communication among societies while expanding opportunities for engagement between academic and research institutions and the wider public.
Through these efforts, the two institutions aim to contribute to the continued development of Qatar’s cultural and intellectual landscape.