Doha, December 10 (QNA) - HE Secretary-General of the National Planning Council Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa affirmed that National Day embodies the close relationship between the values ​​upon which the State was founded and the strategic planning approach it adopts today.

In statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), His Excellency said that from the National Planning Council (NPC) perspective, the achievements made were not accidental, but rather the result of conscious and continuous planning that enshrines the principles of efficiency, sustainability, and integration, and places human beings at the heart of the development process as both the goal and the means of development.

The National Day is a deeply rooted national occasion on which we recall the journey of building the modern state upon the foundations laid by the Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani. These foundations are based on faith in national identity, the consolidation of the values ​​of work and giving, self-reliance, and the pursuit of development. His Excellency noted that commemorating this occasion each year reflects the commitment of the State of Qatar, its leadership, government, and people, to its national principles and authentic values, and embodies the unity of vision and will towards a prosperous future. It also represents an opportunity to renew the commitment to continue working towards achieving Qatar National Vision 2030 and the national development strategies stemming from it, which aim to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development across all sectors.

The National Day also represents a national occasion to strengthen feelings of loyalty and belonging, instill values ​​of citizenship and responsibility, and deepen collective awareness of the State's efforts and development journey. Celebrating this occasion is not limited to remembering the past; it extends to affirming the unity between the wise leadership and the people, and embodies a shared goal and vision for Qatar's future, he added.

He pointed out that what distinguishes the celebration of National Day is that it reaffirms, year after year, the system of values ​​on which the state was founded: the values ​​of dedication to work, giving, belonging to the homeland, and respect for traditions while being open to the future. He noted that these values ​​form the basis from which Qatar National Vision 2030 is launched, which aims to build a cohesive society capable of achieving sustainable development under a wise leadership that places human beings at the forefront of its priorities.

His Excellency emphasized that commemorating this occasion contributes to raising awareness of the importance of community participation in the development process and instills in future generations a sense of their role in continuing to build. The National Day also presents an opportunity to solidify confidence in the capabilities of young people and empower them to actively contribute to shaping the future, as they are the cornerstone of sustainable development and the driving force behind the implementation of the Third National Development Strategy, thus ensuring the continuation of progress and prosperity.

He pointed out that celebrating the National Day represents a renewal of the pledge to continue the journey begun by the Founder and the leaders who followed him. It is a national occasion that renews feelings of pride in the nation's history, and on which the Qatari people recall the values ​​of sacrifice, determination, and loyalty that formed the foundation of modern Qatar. He noted that this widespread public engagement with the National Day reflects the deep bond between citizens and their homeland, embodies society's confidence in its wise leadership, and underscores the continuity of the approach that has made Qatar a model of development and progress. From this perspective, the National Day can be viewed as a unifying national expression that affirms the cohesion between the leadership and the people, and expresses a unified will in facing challenges and seizing opportunities.

HE Secretary-General of the National Planning Council Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa reiterated the National Planning Council’s commitment to continuing to work in line with these values ​​and aspirations through integrated strategic planning that translates the leadership’s aspirations into sustainable development policies and enhances the State’s ability to continue its steady progress towards achieving the results of the Third National Development Strategy. 

Regarding the most prominent achievements made during the current year, HE Secretary-General of the National Planning Council said that the National Planning Council continues to carry out its tasks within the general framework of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy (2024–2030) by developing the national planning system and enhancing the alignment of sectoral strategies with comprehensive national goals.

During this year, under the patronage and in the presence of HE Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the President of the National Planning Council (NPC), Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, the first and second National Development Forums were held with the participation of Their Excellencies the Ministers and representatives from the public, private and non-profit sectors in the State of Qatar. The first forum discussed the pillar of economic development, while the second forum discussed the pillar of social development, as part of the series of National Development Forums organized by the National Planning Council with the aim of consolidating the continuous organized societal dialogue on the priorities of the Third National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030, he added.

The National Planning Council has made significant progress across various fronts. It has intensified its collaborative efforts with ministries and government entities in implementing the Third National Development Strategy and aligning ministerial strategies with it. The Council also launched the National Data and Statistics Strategy, along with several initiatives in the fields of data, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation, such as adopting the National Data Policy, launching the National Data Program, developing data regulations, and issuing the National Data Management Guidelines. Furthermore, the Council launched the revamped Qatar Open Data Portal and the Qatar Data Trust Index (QDTI). This year, the National Planning Council is also conducting its first census based on administrative databases, eliminating the need for fieldwork, HE Secretary-General of the National Planning Council said.

He noted that these concerted national efforts, under the umbrella of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy, have resulted in Qatar's progress in several international indicators in the fields of education, health, global competitiveness, quality of life, security, and others. This is in addition to continued economic growth and environmental development.

In addition, the National Planning Council launched a number of national initiatives in cooperation with the public and private sectors, with the aim of accelerating the implementation of the third national development strategy, and adopting digital transformation and data in various sectors in the country.

Regarding the qualitative benefits of using modern technologies such as digitalization and artificial intelligence in developing and improving public services, His Excellency emphasized that the National Planning Council plays a pivotal role in enhancing the capabilities of government institutions by developing national strategies and adopting modern technologies such as digitalization, artificial intelligence, and data analytics. Through these efforts, the quality of services provided by government entities to citizens and residents improves, becoming more efficient, transparent, faster, and better able to meet the diverse needs of society.

The qualitative benefits of using these technologies lie in several areas, including: raising the efficiency of institutions, promoting evidence-based strategic planning, enabling innovation and improving services, and enhancing integration between government agencies.

The Council’s role is not limited to policy-making, but extends to ensuring that these policies and technologies contribute directly to enhancing the quality of life of the community and raising the efficiency of government services, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy (2024-2030).

His Excellency pointed out that in the field of employing modern technologies, the National Planning Council, represented by the National Statistics Center, launched the Qatar Open Data Portal in its new form, which includes more than 1,100 datasets covering various sectors. This portal provides the public, researchers and decision-makers with accurate and reliable data that forms the basis for planning and policymaking and supports innovation and project development.

Regarding the future plans or strategies that the Council is working on, and those that it is about to implement during the next phase, specifically during the next year, His Excellency said that the National Planning Council continues to play its pivotal role in formulating future national directions by developing and monitoring the implementation of plans and strategies in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy (2024–2030).

He stated that the Council will focus in the next phase on ensuring the integration of digital transformation, artificial intelligence and sustainability into sectoral strategies, and enhancing integration between economic, social and environmental sectors, in order to unify government efforts towards clear and measurable development goals.

The Council also works to enable government agencies to implement best planning practices by developing guiding frameworks and building national capacities, in addition to monitoring the implementation of strategies and performance indicators to ensure the desired results are achieved in terms of development and quality of services.

HE Secretary-General of the National Planning Council Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa concluded his statement to QNA, stressing that the Council will focus during the coming year on enhancing the alignment of national initiatives and evaluating their impact, in confirmation of its role as a supreme planning body leading the national development system towards a more sustainable and integrated future. (QNA)