The third Government Communications Forum opened today, bringing together ministers, decision-makers and media and communications leaders from government and semi-government entities for a two-day event.
The forum reinforces the importance of government communications in shaping the national narrative, strengthening institutional alignment and responding to rapid media and digital transformation, in line with the Third National Development Strategy to build a knowledge-based economy and reinforce the country’s leadership in communications and innovation.
The first day of the Government Communications Forum 2026 brought together senior officials, including HE Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, Minister of Environment and Climate Change; HE Dr Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri, Minister of Labour; HE Ibrahim bin Ali bin Issa Al Hassan Al Mohannadi, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs; HE Dr Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, President of the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau and Secretary-General of the National Planning Council; HE Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism; HE Eng Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Meer, President of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) and HE Eng Khalid bin Ahmad Al Obaidli, President of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarat).
Attendees on the first day also included HE Eng Yasser bin Abdullah Al Jamal, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth; HE Ali bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Ali, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Municipality and HE Khalifa bin Issa bin Abdullah Al Kubaisi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Family.
“The Government Communications Forum is a strategic national platform that strengthens institutional integration, unifies the national narrative and advances communications practices in response to rapid change and societal needs, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.”
Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of the Government Communications Office (GCO)
He noted that the Newsroom platform has become a model for integrated government communications, unifying messaging and strengthening coordination across more than 60 entities in showcasing achievements or responding to crises, reflecting the platform’s strong engagement and direct impact on the government communications ecosystem.
Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani said the annual awards play a key role in promoting excellence and best practices in government communications. He noted growing engagement from international partners and announced a new Snap Award, to be presented for the first time in the region to the best media campaign in Qatar.
He announced the launch of Qatar Media Library, a national digital platform that serves as the official gateway for government audiovisual content, providing government entities with approved, high-quality photographs, videos and media assets. The platform aims to support a unified government visual identity and enhance the effectiveness of media and communications campaigns.
The forum’s first day included the announcement of the Government Communications Forum Awards’ winners, honoring distinguished entities and individuals and showcasing impactful achievements that have advanced government communications throughout the year and translated strategy into real-world outcomes.
The Ministry of Interior won the Innovation in Media Campaigns Award for government entities, with Qatar Rail receiving the award in the semi-government category. The Ministry of Labour was recognised for Compliance with the Government Visual Identity, while the Ministry of Municipality and the Communications Regulatory Authority were named the Most Engaged Entities on Newsroom in the government and semi-government categories, respectively.
The Most Engaged Employee awards went to Noor Al Mannai, Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs, in the government category and Mohammed Awartani, Ashghal, in the semi-government category, while Hamad International Airport received the region’s first-ever Snap Award for Best Media Campaign.
Ministers and senior officials toured the accompanying exhibition and were briefed on leading communications initiatives and projects, as well as efforts to enhance government communications, strengthen coordination and utilise digital tools to support national messages.
The forum’s program features panel discussions, workshops and interactive sessions focused on strengthening communications skills, enhancing institutional coordination and promoting innovation in government communications, while highlighting leading national and international experiences to strengthen organisational readiness to address challenges.
The third Government Communications Forum continues to enhance Qatar’s communications sector and institutional collaboration, advancing a modern government communications model well-positioned to communicate national messages effectively while elevating the country’s regional and international profile.
Source: GCO QATAR
