Former Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST), H E Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada
Doha, Qatar: Former Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST), H E Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, has paid tribute to the late Father Amir, H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, describing him as a visionary leader whose long-term strategic thinking transformed Qatar into a trusted global partner and laid the foundations for the country’s emergence as a leading force in the global energy industry.
Speaking in an interview with Qatar TV, Dr. Al Sada said the late Father Amir possessed an exceptional ability to envision the future and make bold decisions that reshaped Qatar’s economic landscape.
He noted that Sheikh Hamad’s leadership was characterised by strategic foresight, confidence in innovation, and a willingness to listen to diverse viewpoints before making clear and decisive decisions.
Dr. Al Sada explained that the Father Amir always encouraged open discussion, giving particular attention to differing opinions and carefully examining alternative ideas before issuing final directives.
Once a decision was made, he said, it was communicated with clarity and confidence, inspiring those around him with certainty that the chosen path would achieve its intended objectives.
He added that the late leader remained closely involved throughout the implementation process, providing continuous guidance, removing obstacles, and supporting project teams whenever challenges arose.
Reflecting on the development of Qatar’s natural gas industry, Dr. Al Sada described the sector’s remarkable success as inseparable from the vision of the Father Amir. Although the discovery of the North Field in 1971 revealed one of the world’s largest natural gas reserves, he said many viewed the discovery with disappointment because commercial prospects appeared uncertain at the time. Sheikh Hamad, however, recognised natural gas as the fuel of the future and believed it would become a cornerstone of both Qatar’s prosperity and the global energy market.
He recalled that while many recommended locating new gas industries in Mesaieed, the Father Amir insisted on establishing them in Ras Laffan Industrial City, believing that the project’s future scale would far exceed existing expectations. According to Dr. Al Sada, time proved the wisdom of that decision, as Ras Laffan has grown into one of the world’s largest energy and industrial hubs, far beyond what Mesaieed could have accommodated.
Dr. Al Sada also highlighted the significant financial and commercial challenges Qatar faced during the early stages of developing its liquefied natural gas industry. At the time, Qatar lacked the international financial standing needed to secure major project financing, while the withdrawal of a strategic partner created uncertainty across the energy sector. Despite these setbacks, the Father Amir remained steadfast, viewing every challenge as an opportunity. His confidence ultimately led Qatar to secure stronger international partnerships with companies that shared his long-term vision for the future of natural gas.
Drawing on his experience accompanying the Father Amir during numerous overseas visits, Dr. Al Sada said H H Sheikh Hamad consistently presented Qatar as a reliable and trustworthy partner. He emphasised that the late leader firmly believed that “a promise is a promise” and ensured that transparency, credibility, and commitment formed the foundation of Qatar’s relationships with international partners across all sectors.
Dr. Al Sada further noted that the Father Amir placed great importance on building personal relationships with world leaders before pursuing business agreements, believing that mutual trust and respect were essential to lasting cooperation.
This approach, he said, became a defining feature of Qatar’s diplomacy and international partnerships.
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Al Sada said the leadership principles established by the Father Amir created a lasting legacy that elevated Qatar’s global standing, making reliability, trustworthiness, and strategic vision synonymous with the State of Qatar on the international stage.
