Prime Minister speaks at opening of WSJ Tech Live Qatar 2025

More than 200 top global corporate leaders and investors take part

Qatar hosts the conference for the first time in the MENA region

A significant step in advancing Qatar’s sustainable digital economy and efforts in supporting entrepreneurship and innovation

In the presence of HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Wall Street Journal Tech Live Qatar 2025 opened today in Qatar. The event, held from 2 to 4 December, is taking place for the first time in the MENA region.

Organised by The Wall Street Journal, Tech Live is a leading global technology forum, offering a strategic platform for insightful dialogue on the transformative impact of technology on business, regulatory frameworks and innovation. It brings together over 200 influential leaders, including Fortune 500 CEOs, investors and key global figures across technology, media, entertainment and finance.

The conference opened with a fireside conversation featuring HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, moderated by Almar Latour, CEO of Dow Jones, publisher of The Wall Street Journal. The session addressed Qatar’s digital transformation journey, its drive toward economic diversification and the growing role of technology in boosting the competitiveness of various sectors.

HE the Prime Minister said: “Qatar has been known for the last decades as a connector between East and West, and a hub for the region in logistics, aviation, politics, diplomacy and energy, reaching out to the entire world. We are happy to be the first country to host this conference outside the United States. Hosting this event in Qatar reflects the country’s aspiration to diversify its economy and improve the innovation mindset of the nation.”

HE added: “You have seen the series of events the country has been hosting, especially in the technology space, whether it was the Mobile World Congress, which was recently held here, or Web Summit that we hosted last year and will host again early next year. We always work to create these platforms, bringing people from across the region, and welcoming others from the West, particularly the United States, Latin America and Europe, to look toward Asia and Africa and explore the opportunities and potential these regions offer.”

HE the Prime Minister explained that one of Qatar’s top priorities is building a diverse, resilient and dynamic economy. He noted that while Qatar is known as a hydrocarbon-based economy, recent data shows that non-hydrocarbon sectors have been driving growth in recent years, an outcome that reflects years of sustained national effort. He added that the Qatar Investment Authority plays a pivotal role in this shift, helping diversify sources of income and drive the economy’s growth into new sectors.

HE affirmed that Qatar is establishing a strong foundation in technology, which is a key enabler for all other sectors of the economy. He said: “If you look at the sectors that people rely on every day: healthcare, education, logistics or financial services, they can all be enhanced by technology. As a country, we aspire to build a service-based economy and lead in the field of technology.”

HE noted that Qatar has, over the past decades, succeeded in building national champions that now compete on the global stage. Qatar Airways has grown into a world-renowned brand, while QatarEnergy has established itself as a leading international provider of gas. In financial services, Qatar National Bank stands among the region’s strongest institutions, with a presence extending to Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, Ooredoo is now serving customers across 20 countries.

HE said: “Despite our size, Qatar’s footprint on the global stage has been impactful. Adding the layer of technology will enhance and strengthen our businesses and, importantly, allow us to develop national champions in the technology sector as well. This will make it easier to build a robust infrastructure and create a fully technology-enabled country, especially since our 5G connectivity is among the most advanced in the world. Capitalising on these factors will transform people’s lives, enhance the way businesses operate and ultimately reshape every aspect of the economy.”

HE added: “Our investments through Qatar Investment Authority in technology companies abroad are one of the key instruments that will help us build an ecosystem where technology can thrive, enabling local companies to grow and compete on the global stage.”

The Prime Minister noted that AI will become, within the next couple of years, a necessity, explaining that Qatar has already begun integrating AI technologies across government entities.

He continued: “We have signed agreements with several companies to start developing use cases within public services. By 2029, we hope to create 50 AI-driven use cases across government services. We are also introducing meaningful disruption in key industries where we have national champions, such as Qatar Airways in the aviation sector, and we are looking at how AI can transform these industries.”

Almar Latour, CEO of Dow Jones, said that Qatar plays a pivotal role in advancing AI across the region, noting that this is one of the reasons WSJ Tech Live is being held in Doha; to understand and get a sense of the future.

He said: “In the coming days, you will see the immense convening power of The Wall Street Journal and the strength of our journalism. And that matters a great deal these days. You’ll also be struck, no doubt, by Qatar’s passion for investing in and building the future.”

Almar Latour added: “We find ourselves right now at a rising global nexus of capital, tech and talent right here on this campus and well beyond. And to those of you who have ventured off premise, you will have also seen that Qatar is a hub of education, technology, arts, architecture and sports.”

Across its three-day program, the conference features a series of high-level sessions led by some of the world’s most influential executives, including Serena Williams, Grand Slam Champion, Michael Rubin, Founder and CEO of Fanatics; David Kramer, CEO of United Talent Agency; Jamie Salter, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Authentic Brands Group, Alexis Ohanian, Co-Founder of Reddit and Founder and General Partner of Seven Seven Six, and Alex Rodriguez, Chairman and CEO of A-Rod Corp and Co-Chairman of Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx.

The agenda explores the key forces shaping the future of the global digital economy, with discussions spanning the evolution of sports, gaming and media; the changing landscape of privacy, regulation and consumer trust and new directions in talent, media and entertainment. The program also highlights cutting-edge developments in financial technology, crypto assets and digital currencies, alongside emerging advances in space and defence technologies.

Beyond the main sessions, the conference offers international delegates an opportunity to experience Qatar’s vibrant cultural and creative scene through curated visits to museums and creative institutions. Guests also attended the Formula 1® Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2025, providing them with a close-up look at the country’s world-class sports infrastructure.

WSJ Tech Live Qatar 2025 is being held as part of a long-term strategic partnership between the Government Communications Office and Dow Jones, publisher of The Wall Street Journal. The collaboration underscores global confidence in Qatar as a leading destination for major international events, while giving local companies and talent access to a powerful global network of technology pioneers, investors and decision-makers.