News | Ministry of Transport

Saturday, August 15, 2020

Ministry Signs MoU with Ashghal on Road Projects

Doha – QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications has signed an MoU with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) on planning, studying, designing, maintaining and managing the road projects.The MoU is upgrading the level of collaboration, joint efforts and constructive cooperation between the two sides with the aim of providing a safe, integrated transportation system in line with best universal practices and standards within the tasks and competencies of the two parties. MOTC and Ashghal aim to develop and manage the mobility and transportation projects as an integrated network compatible with other modes of transportation in such an efficient, economic, safe and environment-friendly fashion. The two sides aim to fulfill the needs of the State of Qatar from in mobility and transportation in line with the Second National Development Strategy (2018-2022) and Qatar National Vision 2030.The MoU was signed by MOTC Acting Assistant Undersecretary of Land Transport Affairs Eng. Hamad Essa Abdulla and President of Ashghal HE Dr. Saad bin Ahmed Al Muhannadi.The MoU defines and explains the roles, missions and responsibilities of the two sides based on the Emiri decisions in such a way that avoids duplication and limits overlapping competencies through activating a joint working mechanism for planning, studying, designing, implementing, operating, maintaining and managing the road projects in the country according to approved development plans, implementation priorities and following up the implementation according to the set delivery timelines. This also includes taking all the necessary measures and activating the road assets delivery mechanism after road projects have been carried out by the contractor and the end of the period dedicated for maintenance.Additionally, there will be an activation of a joint working mechanism regarding putting the necessary strategies and plans for maintaining and managing road projects and networks as well as coordinating on resolving the complaints from the public, doing the necessary maintenance works, developing and boosting joint cooperation to benefit from their capabilities in joint fields and stimulating sustainable economic and social development for the State of Qatar.The MoU also covers activating community participation, facilitating cooperation, transferring knowledge and technology for supporting the efforts of achieving Qatar National Vision 2030 in this domain, as well as realizing mutual benefits, services and expertise that each party can make available for the other party.It’s worth mentioning that Land Transport Affairs at MOTC is preparing the necessary studies for planning and designing land transportation networks and railroads and governance of land transportation system in accordance with latest systems and best global practices in the field. This is aimed at widening the scope of the economic movement, catering for the requirements of national development and achieving Qatar National Vision 2030.Ashghal carries out infrastructure projects across the country according to the recommendations of MOTC and the comprehensive plans, strategic studies, concept designs, priorities, recommendations, reports, researches and the like.Signing this MoU reflects the two parties’ interest in coordinating relevant business, bolstering cooperation on planning, designing, implementing and maintaining road projects in Qatar.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

MOTC Opens “Threat Hunters 2020 Competition”

Doha – QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications, in cooperation with the ITU-Arab Regional Cybersecurity Center (ARCC), has opened the registration for Qatar Threat Hunters 2020.MOTC is inviting all those who are interested in information security and those who have unique skills of detecting security threats to join the competition. Registration is available at https://cyberstars.pro/qatar/ until August 25, 2020.The competition is open for youth in the age group 17-24 and youth who are 24 years old and above.The three winners from Qatar Threat Hunters 2020 competition from each age group will be nominated to participate and represent Qatar at the 3rd edition of the Regional Threat Hunters 2020, organized by ITU-ARCC in partnership with Silensec.The competition revolves around several scenarios and challenges on cybersecurity domains such as ethical hacking, ICT infrastructure protection, computer forensics and malware analysis.This year’s competition aims at further developing and sharpening the skills and talents in the Arab world in the realm of cybersecurity and keeping up with cybersecurity challenges emerging from the novel Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The aim is to qualify and prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and specialists and harness their capabilities for competing regionally and globally.The competition in Qatar will be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 for participants from within Qatar, ending with selecting the three winners from each age group who will compete at the level of Arab countries in the regional stage that will be held during Q4 of 2020.

Monday, July 20, 2020

Minister Heads Qatar Delegation to GCC Ministerial Meetings on Post, Telecom, ICT & e-Government

Doha – QatarHE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti has headed the State of Qatar’s delegation participating in the 26th Meeting of the GCC Ministerial Committee for Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology, held via videoconferencing and attended by their excellencies ministers of communications and information technology in the GCC.The meeting discussed several topics relating to the developing of post, telecommunications and information technology sectors in the GCC Member States and means of boosting cooperation in these vital industries.The Ministerial Committee also discussed the outcomes and recommendations of the 28th Meeting of the GCC Telecommunications and Information Technology Undersecretaries Committee, and future orientations for work mechanisms against the background of the lessons learnt from the novel Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.The meeting was attended by President of the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) HE Mr. Mohamed Ali al-Mannai and high-level representatives from the Ministry of Transport and Communications and Qatar Post.In a related context, HE the Minister has headed the State of Qatar’s delegation participating in the 6th GCC e-Government Ministerial Committee Meeting. Held via videoconferencing, the meeting was attended by a number of their excellencies ministers and senior officials of communications and information technology in the GCC.During the meeting, the GCC malware analysis platform was launched to be used by computer emergency response centers of GCC Member States. The Ministerial Committee also reviewed the implementation of the 2nd phase of the joint initiatives of the GCC eGovernment Strategy, the endorsement of new initiatives in order to start activating them, the implementation of a number of shared e-services, as well as going ahead with implementing the information security strategy for GCC Member States.The meeting also discussed the recommendations of the GCC eGovernment Executive Committee at its recent meetings, which highlighted several topics relating to egovernment and IT in cybersecurity and information emergency response, as well as issues on Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). Other key topics were the GCC joint procurement for software and equipment and GCC shared eservices.The Ministerial Committee stressed on the importance of working as per the future orientations based on lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting was attended by high-level representatives from MOTC.

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Qatar Participates in 28th GCC Meeting on Post, Telecommunications

Doha – QatarThe State of Qatar today participated in the 28th Meeting of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) Committee for Under-Secretaries of Post and Telecommunications, which was conducted via video conferencing.The high-level delegation representing Qatar was led by the President of the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) HE Mr. Mohamed Ali al-Mannai, and also included high-level representatives from the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) and Qatar Postal Services Company (Q-Post).The meeting discussed several topics on developing information and communications technology (ICT) sector and postal sector in the GCC member states and discussed means to boost cooperation between them in these vital sectors and with the EU.The meeting also discussed the recommendations of the 32nd Meeting of GCC Committee for Post Heads and Under-Secretaries, in addition to recommendations of several specialized committees and working groups, such as the Committee for Telecommunications Legislation and Regulation, Technical Committee of the Technical Office, International Roaming Working Group, and the Working Group of OTT Legislation and Regulation.Additionally, the meeting discussed the future directions of the committee's work based on the lessons learnt from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Thursday, July 16, 2020

MOTC Participates in IMO Meeting on IMSAS

Doha-The Ministry of Transport and Communications has participated via video conferencing in the meeting the International Maritime Organization held with maritime authorities' officials from Member States to discuss the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) - the mandatory audit of all Member States.MOTC was represented by Ministry's Assistant Undersecretary of Maritime Transport Affairs Dr. Saleh bin Fetais Al Marri.Chaired by IMO assistant secretary-general, the meeting reviewed the impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic, which caused IMSAS be postponed. It also discussed a presentation on the IMO IMSAS for 2021 and the possibility of having alternative solutions to conducting the IMSAS if the circumstances prevent it from taking place next year.

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Qatar welcomes ICJ ruling against appeals by blockading countries

Doha – QatarQatar has welcomed the International Court of Justice's rejection of the appeals filed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt against a decision by the world civil aviation body in favour of Qatar over sovereign airspace.The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in 2018 ruled it had the jurisdiction to handle a dispute brought by Qatar, which accused its neighbours of violating a convention that regulates the free passage of its passenger planes through foreign airspace.But the four allies disagreed, saying the ICAO was not the right body to judge in the dispute and that its decision to do so was "manifestly flawed and in violation of fundamental principles of due process and the right to be heard."The ruling of the International Court of Justice came in favour of Qatar in the appeals submitted by the blockading countries, according to the Government Communications Office of Qatar. It said ICJ ruled with the jurisdiction of the (ICAO) organization to consider the complaint of the State of Qatar, against the background that the blockading countries since June 2017 closed their airspace to the Qatari planes and did not allow them to fly to and from Airports in the territories of these countries are in flagrant violation of international law and related international agreements.And based on the rulings of the International Court of Justice, the ICAO Council is to resume dispute resolution procedures in the complaint submitted by the State of Qatar.His Excellency Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Minister of Communications and Communications, said, “We welcome the decision issued today by the International Court of Justice, which will place the blockading countries before the balance of justice and international accountability for violating the provisions of international agreements related to international civil aviation, and we are confident that the International Civil Aviation Organization will You acknowledge that these procedures are illegal."The International Court of Justice ruling is part of a series of rulings that reveal the blockade countries' insistence on ignoring international law, but every time, their arguments are refuted and the validity of the position of the State of Qatar is confirmed."Since the imposition of the illegal blockade in June 2017, the State of Qatar has continued to address the illegal measures taken by the blockade countries and their violation of international law, and the International Court of Justice decision issued today is the latest in a series of international rulings that confirm the integrity of the position of the State of Qatar, where this ruling comes in the wake of The ruling issued by the World Trade Organization last June, which recognized that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia violated its obligations under the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement), by refusing to take action against the complex piracy carried out by B-channel Que, and above all, support and encourage this piracy.It is worth noting that the State of Qatar had lodged a complaint before the Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) against the blockading states after the failure of repeated attempts to reach an amicable settlement of the issue due to the intransigence of those countries.