The Embassy of Qatar in Ottawa marked the official launch of the Qatar Canada 2026 Year of Culture on Friday, bringing together Canadian officials, diplomats, academics, civil‑society representatives, and media figures for a dedicated media day highlighting the initiative.

The event underscored the growing momentum in Qatari‑Canadian relations and the shared ambition of both governments to deepen their strategic partnership. Yasir Naqvi, Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and to the Secretary of State (International Development), described the moment as historic, noting that the two countries are aligned in their pursuit of economic prosperity and collaborative progress. Naqvi emphasized that both nations are advancing along a path shaped by the vision of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, with the goal of delivering tangible benefits to citizens in both countries. He expressed hope that the 2026 Year of Culture would broaden people‑to‑people connections and strengthen mutual understanding.

In his welcoming remarks, H.E. Qatar's Ambassador to Canada, Mr. Tariq Ali Faraj Al‑Ansari, recalled the recent visit of the Canadian Prime Minister to Doha, as well as the visit of His Highness the Amir to Canada in September 2024 moments that, he said, reflect the two countries shared desire to bring their peoples closer together. He also offered a brief historical overview of the Years of Culture initiative, which was launched in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030, which champions openness, cultural engagement, and the use of soft diplomacy. He noted that Qatar’s approach has enhanced its global standing and contributed to resolving regional and international disputes. He also highlighted the timing of the 2026 Year of Culture, which coincides with Canada’s co‑hosting of the FIFA World Cup alongside Mexico and the United States. He said the host nations stand to benefit from Qatar’s widely praised experience organizing the 2022 World Cup, which set new benchmarks across multiple fronts. He expressed his anticipation for the Qatari cultural events set to take place in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, alongside corresponding Canadian cultural programming that will be held in Doha.

Mr. Mohammed Al Kuwari, Years of Culture Advisor on Latin America, Former Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Mexico, highlighted the initiative’s role in fostering long‑term dialogue, cooperation, and cultural exchange. He traced the program’s origins to 2012 under the patronage of H.E. Sheikha Al‑Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, noting that its core mission bringing nations closer and encouraging societies to learn from one another is more relevant than ever. Mr. Al Kuwari also pointed to Canada’s cultural diversity and strong creative and educational institutions, saying they reflect values that closely align with the spirit of the Years of Culture values deeply rooted in Qatar.