Doha: The Government Communications Forum 2026, in its second deliberations, engaged in discussions on the role of informed leadership in guiding communication systems to meet national priorities, emphasizing the importance of coordination among government agencies and the role of transparency in building public trust.
According to Qatar News Agency, the panel discussion on purposeful communication examined leadership perspectives from the government sector, exploring methods for building a resilient and adaptable corporate readiness. The focus was on the significance of communications grounded in clear goals and deep-seated values to foster public interaction and long-term clarity.
HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, Yasir bin Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Jamal, highlighted that strategic communications are fundamental in shaping national policies. He emphasized the ministry's participatory approach, involving direct communication with target groups from the pre-decision-making phase to impact measurement, ensuring long-term sustainability and social understanding.
Al Jamal noted that in 2024, the ministry launched an executive program to achieve the objectives of the National Youth Policy, including the Qatar Youth Delegates to the United Nations Program. This initiative has allowed over 50 young Qataris to represent the State of Qatar internationally.
HE the Undersecretary also mentioned that the national sports policy includes a focus on sports communications and media, as sports have become a lifestyle requiring dynamic media discourse to highlight athletes' achievements and sophisticated infrastructure, thus reinforcing the importance of sports as a national value.
Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari, explained that strategic communications in diplomacy are now essential due to the rapid flow of information and numerous platforms. He stressed the importance of managing the national narrative proactively and ensuring clarity and precision in conveying the nation's positions.
Dr. Al Ansari emphasized that media should be seen as a partner rather than an adversary, highlighting the need for trust and respect with journalists and media outlets to ensure successful communication policies. He noted the importance of considering national optics when addressing global audiences.
HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labor, Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani, discussed the communication challenges faced by the ministry, emphasizing the need for multilingual messaging and flexible communication approaches while maintaining the core of the message across domestic and international audiences.
Sheikha Najwa stressed that government communication is now interactive and participatory, with public feedback contributing to policy development. She highlighted the importance of unified messaging across government agencies and the role of the Government Communications Office as the central reference for official messaging.
HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Family, Khalifa bin Issa bin Abdullah Al Kubaisi, affirmed that communication is integral to decision-making and not just a subsequent phase. He emphasized that dealing with sensitive social issues requires balanced discourse to respect beneficiary groups' dignity and enhance societal integration.
HE Al Kubaisi underscored that transparency in addressing societal challenges raises public awareness and prepares society for new policies and initiatives. He highlighted the need for joint efforts in communication and partnerships with media entities to change societal behaviors.
The forum continued with discussions on communication as a tool for influence, trust-building, and narrative creation to keep pace with rapid transformations, affirming its role as a national platform for sharing leadership perspectives and supporting national priorities.