US Embassy Doha hosted its National Day celebration on Wednesday evening.
US Ambassador to Qatar HE Timmy Davis welcomed guests of honour Minister of Transport HE Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Minister of Commerce and Industry HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani, Minister of State HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, Director of Protocol Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador HE Ibrahim Yousef Fakhroo and Director of American Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador HE Dr Essa Al Mannai. More than 570 Qatari officials, foreign dignitaries, and leaders from business, academia, and civil society gathered to celebrate the United States’ independence.
Ambassador Davis’s speech highlighted the strength of the U.S.-Qatar bilateral relationship over the course of the last 50 years, and the shared values of security, prosperity, and partnership.
“The U.S.-Qatar relationship has thrived for over 50 years. There are six U.S. universities with campuses in Doha, and many Qataris have studied in the United States. We have seen extraordinary growth in education cooperation over the last decade,” said Ambassador Davis.
Hundreds of Qataris have visited the United States on its world-renowned International Visitor Leadership Program, including programs this year on countering trafficking in persons, volunteerism, and women in sports. Qatar's 2021 Year of Culture featured the United States and showcased a year’s worth of activities in both countries to promote trade, travel, higher learning, and the arts. As Qatar prepares for the upcoming Men’s FIFA World Cup 2022, joint training exercises and increased information sharing are helping enable a secure environment for the tournament and beyond.
Ambassador Davis also noted, “It has been an impressive year for Qatar,” referring to accomplishments like supporting the Afghanistan evacuation - largest airlift evacuation in U.S. history, and the exciting upcoming Men’s FIFA World Cup 2022.