Doha, September 20 (QNA) - Culture in Qatar is no longer confined to creative activity or the local cultural scene, but rather has become an active element of the country's international presence and one of the areas where cultural vision intersects with diplomacy and dialogue among peoples.
Through a broad range of cultural initiatives, programs and partnerships, the State of Qatar continues to build an open space for interaction among cultures and civilizations, guided by a vision grounded in respect for diversity, the preservation of cultural distinctiveness, and the fostering of understanding as a foundation for sustained human communication.
The importance of these initiatives extends beyond showcasing cultural, artistic, and heritage production. They also create spaces for dialogue and interaction among communities, while providing channels for people to get to know one another and exchange knowledge and expertise, thereby reinforcing culture's role as a shared language that transcends geographical and political borders.
In this context, officials told Qatar News Agency (QNA) in exclusive statements that culture has become an important contributor to Qatar's international presence and an effective tool for promoting dialogue among civilizations and building bridges of communication and understanding between peoples.
From this perspective, they explained that the role played by Qatar's cultural institutions takes on particular importance in translating this vision into initiatives, programs, and projects that extend beyond traditional cultural activity. These efforts contribute to establishing Doha as an international space where creatives, intellectuals, and artists come together and where diverse cultural experiences interact, enhancing the country's standing in the global cultural scene and supporting its humanitarian and civilizational role in bringing communities closer together and opening up broader spaces for dialogue.
In an exclusive statement regarding Qatar's utilization of culture to promote international dialogue and build bridges of communication between peoples, General Manager of the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti told QNA that, Qatar has successfully employed culture as a bridge for communication and rapprochement among peoples, drawing on diverse cultural institutions that embody its national vision and strike a balance between strengthening national identity and preserving heritage on the one hand, and openness to different cultures and civilizations on the other.
He said that this approach has helped strengthen Qatar's cultural presence regionally and internationally and reaffirm its belief that cultural diversity is a source of strength and enrichment, and that culture can transcend differences and open broader spaces for dialogue and human understanding. He also highlighted Katara's efforts, noting that the foundation embodies this approach through the festivals, exhibitions, intellectual and artistic gatherings, and awards it hosts and organizes, bringing together creatives and cultural figures from around the globe.
He continued by explaining that these events should not be viewed merely as platforms for showcasing the arts and heritage, but rather as genuine spaces for interaction, rapprochement, and the exchange of expertise. He also noted that anyone following the diverse cultural initiatives and projects presented by Qatar, whether local or international in nature, would recognize that Doha has succeeded in presenting itself as a global cultural space where East meets West, and where cultures draw closer while each retains its own distinctiveness and character.
On this basis, Dr. Al Sulaiti pointed out Katara's belief that the future will see a more influential Qatari presence in the international cultural scene, further advancing Qatar's cultural message, which represents one of the pillars of its humanitarian and civilizational diplomacy.
Regarding the future impact of Qatar's cultural initiatives in reinforcing its image as an active participant in dialogue among cultures and civilizations, he explained that Katara provides an example of the importance of cultural initiatives in strengthening Qatar's image as an active participant in dialogue among cultures and civilizations. Through all that it offers throughout the year, Katara seeks to create genuine and new spaces for greater rapprochement, interaction, and communication among cultures and peoples, he added.
General Manager of Katara, Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, said that these cultural initiatives have strengthened Qatar's image not only as a country undergoing comprehensive and significant development across all levels, but also as a trusted international platform that brings together intellectuals, creatives, and artists from around the globe. He noted that these initiatives provide significant opportunities for exchanging experiences, generating knowledge, and establishing cross-border cultural partnerships, thereby supporting the significant humanitarian and civilizational role that the State plays in bringing societies together, resolving conflicts, and facilitating mediation, with culture serving as a bridge toward peace and rapprochement. 

In regard to how Qatar's experience contributes to heritage protection and the promotion of cultural diversity as part of a shared international responsibility, another official spoke to Qatar News Agency (QNA) in a similar statement. Director of the International Cooperation and Government Affairs Department at Qatar Museums, Dr. Fatema Hassan Al Sulaiti, affirmed that Qatar's approach to protecting heritage and promoting cultural diversity is rooted in a firm conviction that heritage does not belong to one nation, but is a shared human legacy entrusted to all, carrying a collective responsibility that transcends geographical and political borders.
From this perspective, Qatar has made culture a fundamental pillar of its foreign policy and a space for building trust and dialogue among civilizations, rather than merely a technical matter handled on the margins of diplomatic work, she said, pointing out Qatar's active participation in UNESCO's World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development, Mondiacult, and its support for the conference's outcomes, which recognized culture as a global public good.
She also said that Qatar Museums translates this vision through deep institutional partnerships and specialized capacity-building programs, based on the conviction that cultural diversity is a prerequisite for sustainable development, rather than a product of it. From this perspective, Dr. Al Sulaiti said that Qatar's Museums is currently working to expand its partnership with the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
Regarding Qatar's efforts to preserve cultural heritage and archaeological sites and strengthen its presence within the global heritage system as a tool of cultural diplomacy, Director of the International Cooperation and Government Affairs Department at Qatar Museums, explained that Qatar has established a robust national framework for safeguarding cultural heritage, based on a rigorous scientific methodology for research, documentation, conservation, and sustainable management.
She said that Qatar Museums takes pride in having its files developed and managed entirely by a national team that brings together legal, scientific, and diplomatic expertise within a single coordinated process, indicating that this gives Qatar an influential presence and a precise understanding of the decision-making mechanisms within the World Heritage Committee.
The inscription of the Al Zubarah Archaeological Site on UNESCO's World Heritage List marked a significant milestone in this process, while Qatar continues to strengthen its global presence. Qatar National Museum and the Old Palace have also been officially included on the World Heritage Tentative List, while the national team is working on developing additional heritage and archaeological files, reflecting its confidence in the depth of Qatar's civilizational heritage and its deserving of global recognition, she added.
Director of the International Cooperation and Government Affairs Department at Qatar Museums, Dr. Fatema Hassan Al Sulaiti, said that Qatar Museums's Empowering Arab Youth for Sustainable Heritage program (Tamkeen), exemplifies Qatar's approach, pointing out that the program recently received high-level international recognition as part of the 2026 Global Challenge for Innovations in World Heritage Education.
Recognizing that capacity-building is a long-term investment, the program will soon introduce specialized tracks, including workshops to equip young people with knowledge of international cultural conventions and policies, Dr. Al Sulaiti said, noting that this reflects a firm conviction that protecting heritage is a shared responsibility that can help build a future marked by greater understanding and rapprochement among peoples. 

For his part, Executive Director of the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, Dr. Khalid Al Jaber, told Qatar News Agency (QNA) in a statement that cultural diplomacy has become a key component of Qatar's presence on the international arena, rather than simply an extension of foreign policy in its traditional sense. He noted that the State of Qatar recognized early on that a country's standing is measured not only by its geographic size or material capabilities, but also by its ability to build trust, shape its image, and establish lasting ties with communities, elites, and institutions beyond its borders. 
Qatar's experience in hosting the World Cup successfully showcased the country's identity, heritage, and vision to the world, while also demonstrating a genuine openness to other cultures, Dr. Al Jaber said, emphasizing that this interaction helped build a growing base of trust, credibility, and human and institutional relationships that extend beyond short-term interests.
He said that culture is no longer a decorative element of international relations, indicating that it has become one of the most influential arenas for engagement, particularly with the digital revolution and the rise of social media.
Regarding what distinguishes Qatar's approach to integrating culture into its foreign policy, Dr. Al Jaber said that Qatar has not limited cultural diplomacy to official activities or major events, but has sought to build a broad network of relationships and partnerships with a diverse range of cultural and intellectual figures and institutions across fields including literature, fiction, theater and media, in addition to intellectual platforms, universities, and dialogue initiatives.
He also pointed out that the Ministry of Culture and the cultural institutions in the State of Qatar - most notably the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara), have played an active role in cultural diplomacy, both regionally and internationally, through the Katara Public Diplomacy Center (KPDC). The center has sought to build bridges of human connection and foster greater understanding between peoples through the arts, as well as events and specialized educational and training programs that promote a culture of dialogue and peace, he added.
Executive Director of the Middle East Council on Global Affairs affirmed that cultural dialogue can create opportunities for political dialogue, particularly at a time when West Asia and the wider world are experiencing growing geopolitical polarization and intense competition between competing narratives.
During periods of polarization, societies could start to lose their ability to listen to one another. This is where cultural dialogue becomes particularly important, as it does not eliminate differences, but it can prevent them from turning into a complete rupture and create space for differences to be addressed in a more rational and humane way, he added.
Dr. Al Jaber called for expanding cross-border cultural dialogue initiatives, particularly in light of the conflicts and growing competition between regional and international narratives across the region. stressing the need for platforms that do more than simply showcase culture, but rather use it to open meaningful discussions around identity, memory, pluralism, social change, and the future of relations between the East and the West.
He also emphasized the importance of investing in younger generations, noting that true openness to the world must be grounded in a strong sense of identity and an understanding of Qatar’s heritage, language, and history. This foundation can help nurture a generation of Qataris who are able to engage with the world in contemporary terms while remaining connected to their roots. (QNA)