General Manager of Katara and President of the Global Public Diplomacy Network Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti and other officials during the meeting.
Doha, Qatar: The Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international cooperation and advancing public diplomacy through the Katara Public Diplomacy Centre, as its Advisory Council held its inaugural meeting yesterday.
The meeting, held at Katara, was chaired by General Manager of Katara and President of the Global Public Diplomacy Network (GPDNet), Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, who emphasised the importance of institutional cooperation, knowledge exchange and sustainable initiatives in promoting cultural understanding among nations.
The meeting was attended by Katara Deputy General Manager and Human Resources Director Saif Saad Al Dosari, GPDNet Secretary-General and CEO of the Center Maryam Majid Al Saad, and members of the Advisory Council.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Dr. Al Sulaiti described the establishment of the Council as a significant milestone in strengthening the Center’s institutional framework and expanding international partnerships in public diplomacy.
He highlighted the confidence placed in Katara by GPDNet member countries, which have elected the Cultural Village Foundation to lead the Network for three consecutive terms.
According to him, the continued trust reflects international recognition of Qatar’s contributions to promoting cultural diplomacy and strengthening cooperation among participating countries.
Prof. Dr. Al Sulaiti reaffirmed Katara’s commitment to supporting the Network’s long-term sustainability and expanding its programmes and activities.
He explained that the Katara Public Diplomacy Center, established in 2021, was conceived as an institutional extension of GPDNet to preserve accumulated expertise and develop sustainable initiatives.
He stressed that the Center complements rather than replaces the Network, serving as an additional platform for strengthening cooperation and expanding public diplomacy activities.
Highlighting its achievements, Prof. Dr. Al Sulaiti said the Center had organised approximately 35 events and programmes between its establishment and 2026.
These included specialised courses in public diplomacy and soft power, training programmes in collaboration with the Center of Excellence at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, and cultural and linguistic activities organised with diplomatic missions.
The Center has also hosted exhibitions and cultural programmes aimed at strengthening dialogue and understanding between communities.
During the meeting, Advisory Council members discussed strategic priorities, institutional development and opportunities for closer integration between the Center and GPDNet.
Proposals included developing specialised academic programmes in cultural diplomacy, heritage management and international communication, alongside reciprocal visits, joint workshops and training partnerships involving institutions from member countries.
Members also explored initiatives to celebrate cultural diversity, including an international coffee and tea festival, art exhibitions, national cultural showcases and events highlighting traditional cuisine, music and heritage. Prof. Dr. Al Sulaiti stressed the importance of translating the proposals into practical programmes capable of delivering measurable benefits. He reiterated Katara’s readiness to provide institutional support and mobilise members’ expertise to strengthen the international impact of public diplomacy.
