We Must Prepare for the Worst-Case Scenarios / Qatar Takes On Three Responsibilities in the War Against Iran: 'Protecting Its Sovereignty,' 'Playing a Role in Energy Security,' and 'Keeping the Doors of Diplomacy Open' / Following the War, Our Country's Total Revenue Fell 42% in the First Half of the Year / Qatar's Goal Is 'Not a Return to Pre-Crisis Conditions, but Accelerating Economic Diversification'

In a speech to the nation, the Emir of Qatar explained how this Persian Gulf state has managed to overcome the consequences of the Iran war. By diversifying its economy and focusing on non-carbon industries, alongside its current liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, Qatar aims to emerge from this crisis stronger than before and better prepared to adapt to global changes.

Euro News wrote: In his speech to the nation, the Emir of Qatar explained how this Persian Gulf country was able to overcome the consequences of the Iran war and by diversifying its economy and focusing on non-carbon industries, along with the current export of liquefied natural gas (LNG), come out of this crisis stronger than in the past and more prepared to adapt to global developments.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, said on Tuesday that his country "will come out of this crisis more resilient and more prepared to adapt to global developments." In describing Qatar's national strategies, he said that these strategies are now focused on diversifying the economy and developing "non-hydrocarbon sectors" in addition to the traditional global supply model of liquefied natural gas; While Qatar plans to increase its export of liquid natural gas.

In his speech at the opening of the annual meeting of the Shura Council in Doha, Sheikh Tamim claimed: "Qatar was attacked by Iran on its own soil; An action that was a clear violation of the sovereignty of this country, the provisions of international law and the principles of good neighborliness."

He added: "Qatar has always preferred to resolve disputes through negotiation and diplomatic and peaceful means."

Emir of Qatar said: "Our commitment to dialogue and peaceful solutions does not mean negligence in the defense of our country. "Our right to defend our sovereignty does not conflict with our determination to prevent the spread of war."

Iran has always emphasized that during the war, it only targeted American interests in neighboring countries.

Sheikh Tamim emphasized the necessity of the cooperation of the member states of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council and said: "The security of the member states of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council and the protection of their sovereignty and stability is a non-negotiable issue."

He called for "redouble efforts to secure shipping in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz and protect energy and water facilities, as well as civilian infrastructure."

The Emir of Qatar also explained the actions of this country during the war and the upcoming strategies; Strategies that are based on long-term pre-crisis planning and measures that Qatar implemented to adapt to the consequences of the war.

He noted the "extraordinary events" that affected Qatar and the region, which he said "demonstrated our ability to respond efficiently and responsibly to crises." He added: "Resilience is not formed at the moment of crisis, but it is the result of planning that is done before it."

Sheikh Tamim said: "In this crisis, Qatar took on three responsibilities at the same time: protecting its sovereignty, playing a role in energy security and the global economy, and keeping the doors of diplomacy open."

Based on this, the Emir of Qatar explained the four main axes of this country's strategy to deal with the crisis:

1\. Defiantly defending the country without going to war;

2\. maintaining essential services, supply chains and economic activities;

3\. Participation in efforts to establish a ceasefire and reopen waterways;

4\. Encourage the parties to negotiate and seek opportunities to return to dialogue with the aim of reaching peaceful solutions to end the conflict.

Pointing to Qatar's key role in the world's energy system, Sheikh Tamim said that the country supplies about one-fifth of the world's liquefied natural gas, and "any disruption that affects it will quickly be reflected in the markets and among consumers around the world."

The Emir of Qatar said: "The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, along with direct damage to some energy facilities in the industrial city of Ras Laffan, disrupted a significant part of the country's exports."

Referring to an important development, Sheikh Tamim said that Qatar was able to absorb this shock by focusing on "non-hydrocarbon sectors". The sectors that continued to grow and their share reached about 80% of the country's real GDP.

He explained that the performance of the non-hydrocarbon sectors shows the "resilience of the national economy and its ability to continue growing in exceptional and complex conditions", adding that the accumulated volume of foreign direct investment has also continued to increase.

The emir of Qatar revealed that "total revenues fell by 42 percent in the first half of the year, while public spending fell by 14 percent; Without jeopardizing basic services or development priorities. He added that "the government did not give in to fear".

"Instead, the government continued to look to the future with confidence in the national economy," Sheikh Tamim said.

He added: "We have decided not to reduce basic services and maintain our development priorities so that Qatar's dynamic economic process continues."

The Emir of Qatar emphasized: "The policies adopted by the government before the crisis - including strengthening reserves, reducing public debt, adjusting the budget based on cautious assumptions about oil prices and developing non-oil revenues - have so far allowed us to absorb the consequences of this crisis."

Regarding the future path, Sheikh Tamim said that the goal of his country is "not to return to the pre-crisis situation, but to use the recovery process as a launching pad to accelerate economic diversification and strengthen national capabilities."

Addressing the people of this country, the Emir of Qatar said: "Our duty is to always strive for the best conditions, but we must also be prepared for the worst possible scenarios, and everyone, both institutions and citizens, must accept their responsibility."

He also explained Qatar's plans in the field of energy. These programs include the expansion of the North Maidan gas project to increase the production capacity of liquefied natural gas, the progress of the Golden Pass project in America, and the increase of investments and international partnerships of Qatar Energy Company. The development of petrochemical industries, solar energy projects and efforts to strengthen water security are also among the other axes of these programs.

The Emir of Qatar also emphasized the country's focus on food security, agriculture, technology, increasing institutional efficiency, investing in education to "face the challenges of our time" and digital transformation.

Sheikh Tamim said that the Palestinian issue is still one of Qatar's priorities and declared: "What happened in the Gaza Strip is undoubtedly genocide, and its officials should not escape from accountability and punishment."

He warned about the "dangers" caused by Israeli settlers' attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank and pointed to "repeated attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque and countless violations of international law, the United Nations Charter and international humanitarian law."

Sheikh Tamim's criticisms in this national speech highlighted Qatar's firm and continuous stance towards Israel's actions in Gaza and Lebanon. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, has repeatedly verbally attacked Qatar and called this country a "hostile state".

Beyond the issue of Gaza and developments in the Persian Gulf, the Emir of Qatar emphasized the continuation of his country's role in mediation to reach political agreements with the aim of solving the crises in Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia.