GCO Director gives interview to Qatar News Agency in Lisbon
Participation in Web Summit Lisbon is an important step toward hosting the third edition in Qatar
Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of the Government Communications Office (GCO), Chairman of the Permanent Web Summit Qatar Organising Committee, and Head of Qatar’s Delegation to Web Summit Lisbon 2025, affirmed that the participation of Qatar with an official delegation in this year’s summit for the third consecutive year reflects the country’s continued commitment to strengthening its international presence at major global technology events, highlighting the country’s investment incentives, startup advantages and business-friendly environment, while maintaining strategic partnerships with leading stakeholders in the fields of technology and innovation.
In statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the sidelines of the summit in Lisbon, Sheikh Jassim said this participation represents an important step in the country’s preparations to host the third edition of Web Summit Qatar, scheduled to take place from 1 to 4 February next year. The event is regarded as the region’s leading platform for technology and entrepreneurship.
He explained that this participation comes as part of Qatar’s efforts to contribute to shaping the future of global technology and the digital economy, reflecting its growing position as a regional hub for innovation and digital transformation, and as an attractive destination for foreign investment and global talent across various fields.
Sheikh Jassim noted that the Qatari delegation includes 17 government and semi-government entities, among them the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Qatar Investment Authority, Invest Qatar, Qatar Development Bank, Visit Qatar, the Qatar Free Zones Authority, the Qatar Financial Centre, Media City Qatar, the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council, and Hamad Bin Khalifa University, along with a number of promising startups.
He pointed out that the summit will witness enhanced cooperation between Qatari entities and leading international institutions in the fields of technology and entrepreneurship, in addition to high-level meetings with global partners and investors, as well as specialised workshops on Qatar’s business and investment environment.
He explained that Qatar’s national pavilion at Web Summit Lisbon — led by Invest Qatar and featuring the Startup Qatar program — showcases the diversity of Qatar’s innovation ecosystem and the strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. The pavilion highlights the national incentive program for startups and presents success stories of startups that have chosen Qatar as a base for their operations. It also enables visitors and investors to learn about national initiatives in digital transformation, research and development, and to explore distinguished Qatari success stories in advanced technology fields.
Sheikh Jassim noted that Qatar aims through this participation to achieve a set of strategic objectives, most notably strengthening its international partnerships in the fields of technology and communications, and attracting high-quality investments that contribute to knowledge transfer and the localisation of modern technologies. These efforts align with Qatar National Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy and build an innovation-driven society.
He emphasised that Qatar is working to enhance its position as a leading digital economy and a destination for talent and foreign investment, while promoting the third edition of Web Summit Qatar as a global event that consolidates Doha’s position on the international innovation map and opens new horizons for entrepreneurs and startups, particularly in Qatar and across the Middle East and North Africa region.
This participation comes as part of Qatar’s efforts to contribute to shaping the future of global technology and the digital economy, reflecting its growing position as a regional hub for innovation and digital transformation, and as an attractive destination for foreign investment and global talent across various fields.
Sheikh Jassim stated that Qatar’s participation in Lisbon this year represents an important milestone in the country’s readiness to host the third edition of Web Summit Qatar in Doha. It enables the Qatari delegation to familiarise itself with the latest organisational and administrative practices in managing large-scale global events and to build new bridges of cooperation with organisers and partners in the technology sector.
He added that the presence of the Qatari delegation reflects the level of organisational excellence and technological innovation that Qatar is known for, and demonstrates its readiness to host the largest edition in the history of Web Summit Qatar next February, further strengthening the country’s position as a global centre for major technology and entrepreneurship events.
He pointed out that the pavilion serves as an interactive platform combining creativity and collaboration. It features advanced visual content showcasing the country’s progress in building a thriving digital economy and highlights the role of national entities in supporting digital transformation and empowering young Qatari talent through business incubator and accelerator programs led by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Invest Qatar, Qatar Development Bank and the Qatar Financial Centre.
The pavilion also embodies the core values of Qatar National Vision 2030, where creativity meets sustainable development in an engaging interactive space that highlights Qatari success stories and previews the upcoming Web Summit Qatar 2026 and the new opportunities it will bring for global collaboration and investment. It reflects Qatar’s vision of attracting talent and foreign investment as the cornerstone for building the economy of the future.
He emphasised that investing in people and innovation is key to building a prosperous and sustainable future, and that digital transformation is not an end in itself but a means to achieving comprehensive development and empowering individuals and communities.
He further noted that participation in major global events such as Web Summit helps strengthen Qatar’s innovation environment, transferring international expertise and best practices to the local market. It creates new opportunities for Qatari entrepreneurs and innovators to expand their work and connect with investors, reinforcing Qatar’s status as a preferred destination for technology and investment. These efforts are in line with the Third National Development Strategy, which supports the country’s transition toward a diversified, knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.
Sheikh Jassim concluded his remarks by affirming Qatar’s belief that the progress of humanity depends on international partnerships and the exchange of knowledge and expertise. He reiterated Qatar’s readiness to serve as a bridge between East and West in the fields of technology and the digital economy, while maintaining its active presence in global forums, reflecting its long-term commitment to supporting innovation and entrepreneurship.
