US-Qatar Business Council Special Announcement on the Recent Amiri Decree No.2 & Appointments

The US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC) acknowledges significant developments within the Qatari leadership landscape, reflecting a forward-looking approach in governance and economic stewardship. Qatar’s Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani issued Amiri Order No. 2 of 2024, implementing a reshuffle that appointed new officials to prominent roles within the Qatari Cabinet; as well as several other decrees to appoint key positions. These appointments span defense, social development, education, health, commerce, trade & investment, transportation, and beyond. The following key appointments are the latest additions to the current Cabinet:

Amiri Order No.2 Decree Reshuffling the Cabinet

  • Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al-Thani as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs. 

    • Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, formerly Chief of the Amiri Diwan, previously served as Qatar’s Ambassador to Germany and held various ranks in the Qatar Armed Forces. Known for his contributions to sports administration in Qatar, he was Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee and led efforts to secure major international events. 

  • Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi as Minister of Social Development and Family. 

    • Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi served as Qatar's Minister of Education and Higher Education from October 2021 to November 2024. With over 20 years in the field, she has led significant educational initiatives, including her role as Founding President of Pre-University Education at Qatar Foundation, where she established specialized schools and programs. HE Buthaina holds an EMBA from HEC Paris and a BA in Arts and Education from Qatar University. 

  • Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khater as Minister of Education and Higher Education. 

    • Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khater previously served as Minister of State for International Cooperation, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry. She has also held roles as Minister Plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director of Planning at Qatar Tourism, and Research Project Manager at Qatar Foundation. She holds Master’s degrees in Computing and Public Policy and has contributed extensively as a policy analyst, author, and lecturer. 

  • Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud as Minister of Public Health. 

    • Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud has served as CEO of Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) since 2018 and as Special Advisor to Qatar Museums’ Chairperson since 2014. Previously, he was CEO of Qatar Museums and Qatar Development Bank, and held roles at QIA, Qatar Exchange, and Qatar National Bank (QNB), where he has been a Board Member since 2004. He is also on the boards of Qatari Diar and Doha Film Institute. 

  • Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani as Minister of Commerce and Industry.

    • Sheikh Faisal Bin Thani Al-Thani, with degrees from Marymount University and HEC Paris, held key roles including CIO at Qatar Foundation Endowment and leadership positions at Qatar Central Bank. He chaired the Ooredoo Group and Qatar First Bank, served as Deputy Chairman at Vodafone Qatar, and was involved in multiple boards, including Ahli Bank and Siemens Qatar. At Qatar Investment Authority, he oversaw investments in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Thani as Minister of Transport.

    • Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulla Al Thani, formerly CEO of Ooredoo Qatar and Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer, led Ooredoo through the pandemic and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.. He previously held leadership roles at Ooredoo Kuwait, Ooredoo Myanmar, and Indosat Ooredoo. Sheikh Mohammed holds a Master’s in Finance and Accounting from the University of Cardiff and a Bachelor’s in Accounting from Qatar University.

Appointments

  • No. (3) of 2024 appointing Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi as Chief of the Amiri Diwan.

    • Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi previously served as the Head of the State Security.

  • No. (4) Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad as Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

    • Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad holds an executive master’s degree in Strategic Planning and Business Administration from HEC Paris and is an alumna of the Qatar Leadership Center’s Rising Leaders program. She has held roles on the Childhood Committee at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, as Acting Executive Director of the Childhood Cultural Center, head of the Media and Communication Department at the Social Rehabilitation Center, and executive leader of the Orphan Care Center “Dreama”. In 2021, she became Executive Director of the Administration and Finance Division at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies and serves on the Advisory Board for the School of Public Administration and Development Economics. 

  • No. (5) Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed as Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. 

    • Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed served as Minister of State, founding Chairman of the Free Zones Authority, and CEO of Qatar Investment Authority, where he oversaw major global investments, including acquisitions in finance, retail, and infrastructure. He also founded Sharq Capital to advise on strategic finance, holding board roles in prominent local and international companies. He holds advanced degrees, including a PhD from Oxford and a Trium Global MBA.

  • No. (73) Mohammed Saif Saeed Al Suwaidi as CEO of Qatar Investment Authority.

    • Mohammed Al-Suwaidi joined QIA in 2010, serving in various roles across TMT, Industrials, and Private Equity investments. From 2015 to 2020, he led QIA’s Advisory Office in New York and most recently served as Chief Investment Officer for the Americas.

  • No. (72) Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al Meer as President of Public Works Authority. 

  • No. (69 & 70) Reorganizing the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy & the formation of the Board of Directors of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy 

    • Established in 2011 by the State of Qatar, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) was responsible for delivering infrastructure and planning for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, contributing to national development goals and creating a lasting legacy. The SC’s initiatives included stadiums and venues designed for sustainability and accessibility, which are now repurposed as community hubs. Additionally, programs like Generation Amazing and Challenge 22 supported social, economic, and environmental development across Qatar and the region.

  • No. 74 Appointing Khalfan bin Ali bin Khalfan Al Bati Al Kaabi as Head of the State Security.

  • No. 71 Appointing Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Suwaidi as Managing Director of Hamad Medical Corporation.

    • Mohammed Khalifa Al-Suwaidi formerly served as CEO of Aspire Zone, leading its strategic direction, and previously held roles as Executive Director of Operations and Procurement Director at Qatar Foundation. With 15 years of expertise in procurement and supply chain management, he has led organizational improvements and efficiency initiatives. Mohammed holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and completed the Senior Management Leadership Program with Oxford University.

USQBC congratulates the new appointees and looks forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to foster economic prosperity and innovation between the US and Qatar.