Doha, October 19 (QNA) – The Global Public Diplomatic Network (GPDNet) held Wednesday at the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) a meeting of ambassadors of the GPDNet member states under the title “Supporting the 2022 World Cup Initiatives”, with the participation of ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions of the member states of the network headed by Katara.
In his opening speech, Katara Director-General Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti stressed that the meeting embodies the fruitful cooperation and continuous support provided by the embassies of the GPDNet member states, which is known for its successes in cultural diplomacy. He pointed out that Katara will launch initiatives related to FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and will host events accompanying this major global event that the whole world is waiting for.
He added that Katara will host 51 main events and more than 300 sub-activities with the participation of 22 countries, confirming keenness on joint cooperation with all accredited embassies in the State of Qatar to open important cultural and civilizational windows to introduce the various fields of human and civilizational creativity, besides providing a solid base for dialogue between cultures and extends bridges of communication and rapprochement between countries and peoples.
Director-General of Katara and Head of GPDNet expressed hope that this meeting would launch awareness campaigns and media promotion in the various organs and media of the member states of the Global Public Diplomacy Network, pointing out that Qatar’s hosting of the tournament, which is the first in the Middle East, with all its distinguished activities and events, it will contribute to strengthening friendship and brotherhood among peoples.
GPDNet Secretary-General Darwish Ahmed Al Shebani confirmed that Katara’s hosting of this meeting, which is held in cooperation with the ambassadors of 17 member states of GPDNet, reflects the cultural partnership and enhances the prospects for continuous and constant cultural cooperation between the Katara Center for Cultural Diplomacy and the embassies of the member states of the International Public Diplomacy Network, not only in the framework of supporting Katara’s initiatives and events accompanying the 2022 World Cup but also through the events and activities launched by Katara Public Diplomacy Center throughout the year, whether in the field or remotely.
Al Shebani valued the active and continuous support provided by the member states of the network to the initiatives of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, expressing hope that this fruitful cooperation will continue, which contributes to building bridges of partnership and bringing cultures closer. He also expressed his confidence that the major global football sporting event would open the doors to creativity and enhance the values of participation, tolerance and understanding between individuals and societies, and turn into a civilized carnival of cultural diplomacy that celebrates our common human values.
In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Secretary-General of the Global Public Diplomatic Network (GPDNet) and CEO of the Katara Public Diplomacy Center (KPDC) Eng. Darwish Ahmed Al Shaibani said that Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 proved to the world before its launch that it is a historic achievement, hailing the state’s institutions, particularly the organizing committees and the FIFA for the good organization, and the complete coordination between the cultural institutions in Qatar, and launch a global program (from Qatar to the world).
He added that the interaction of other non-cultural institutions is heartening, and that they are doing their work to the fullest, noting that the GPDNet aims to convey this achievement and these messages to the rest of the members. The media and cameras across the world will see and notice this achievement and success, but what the cameras cannot catch is the ethics that characterize the Qatari society, values, capabilities and principles, and these are the messages that everyone who will attend the World Cup will touch, he added.
Commenting on efforts to expand the GPDNet’s base under Qatar’s chairmanship, Al Shaibani said the number of the network’s members was 9 countries when Qatar took over the presidency, and now the number of its members has become 27, which means that the number has doubled 300 percent.
A list of countries will join the network in the meeting to be held in Feb. 2023, including influential countries taking into account the balance among the continents in terms of the number of members, he added.
Al Shaibani highlighted efforts to open horizons for other areas of diplomacy, and not confining to cultural diplomacy, as well as openness to sports, educational and other diplomacy in order for the network to have strong technical capabilities.
Ambassadors of the GPDNet member states expressed during the meeting their readiness to provide all forms of support and promotion for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in addition to their continuous support for the cultural initiatives launched by Katara in Arabic and world languages, and through its events, programs and activities associated with the championship.
In a statement to QNA, HE Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the State of Qatar Igor Marara Kayinamura said as a GPDNet member, the Rwandan embassy decided to participate in the events that will be organized in this framework, and we are happy, like the rest of the African countries, to participate in this event.
Ambassador of Rwanda praised Qatar’s preparations to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which is being organized for the first time in this region, which gives a guarantee that success will be great. Advance a successful and distinctive version of the World Cup. Also, the Rwandan Embassy, as a member of the African Group of Ambassadors, is already signing a successful and distinguished World Cup edition.
GPDNet member states will publish on their websites the activities of Katara associated with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. (QNA)