Years of Culture
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2026/01/25
This guide explores the evolution of Qatar-Chile relations, highlighting diplomatic milestones, expanding commercial exchange, and cultural initiatives including the Qatar Argentina and Chile 2025 Year of Culture as a platform for deeper mutual understanding.
The diplomatic connection between Qatar and Chile has evolved gradually, built on mutual respect, strategic non‑resident accreditation, and increasingly frequent high-level dialogue. Through this framework, both countries have deepened cooperation across economic and cultural fields.
Qatar and Chile maintain diplomatic recognition through non-resident embassies, with Qatar accredited to Chile via Buenos Aires and Chile accredited to Qatar via Abu Dhabi. Until recently, Chile also operated an honorary consulate in Doha. Relations are friendly, with leaders exchanging messages of goodwill and affirming their commitment to enhancing ties.
In August 2016, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received a message from Chilean President HE Michelle Bachelet regarding bilateral relations, delivered by Chile’s non-resident ambassador HE Jean-Paul Tarud.
In March 2022, Qatar was represented at the inauguration of HE President Gabriel Boric by HE Non-resident Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Chile, Batal bin Mujeeb Batal Al Dossary. In December 2025, HH The Amir officially congratulated HE Jose Antonio Kast on his recent presidential victory.
Political engagement has remained active over recent decades, reflecting a pragmatic approach to building mutually beneficial partnerships.
In February 2021, Qatar’s Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi met a delegation from Chile led by HE Rodrigo Yanez, Vice Minister of International Economic Relations, to review bilateral relations.
In July 2024, Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, held talks in New York with Chilean Education Minister Nicolás Cataldo, focusing on educational initiatives aligned with the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
Momentum continued in January 2025 with a round of political consultations in Santiago, led by Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi and Chile’s Foreign Minister HE Alberto van Klaveren Stork. These talks resulted in agreements establishing regular political-consultation channels and mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special, and official passports, signalling a commitment to deepening bilateral ties.
Economic cooperation is one of the strongest pillars of the Qatar-Chile partnership, supported by shared interests and complementary strengths. Trade between the two nations, while modest, has grown steadily, reflecting Chile’s agricultural and natural-resource exports and Qatar’s position as a high-value import market.
Chile exports a wide range of agricultural products to Qatar, meeting rising demand for high-quality produce. According to UN COMTRADE data, Qatar’s imports from Chile reached nearly QAR 32.7 million (approximately USD 8.95 million) in 2024, led by wood products, fresh fruits and nuts, cereals, and seafood.
On the Qatari side, investment interest focuses on infrastructure, renewable energy, mining, and technology, with the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) actively exploring opportunities in Chile’s emerging sectors, particularly green energy and sustainable infrastructure projects.
Bilateral investment opportunities are growing in renewable energy, agri-technology, food security, logistics, and infrastructure. The 2025 political consultations provide a framework to support future commercial collaboration.
In November 2025, the Qatar Chamber hosted a meeting with InvestChile, led by Director Carla Flores, to strengthen trade coordination and advance plans for a memorandum of understanding with the Chilean Chamber of Commerce. The proposed MoU aims to facilitate private-sector engagement and joint initiatives, while both parties expressed interest in hosting a Qatari-Chilean business forum in Doha to deepen commercial ties.
Cultural diplomacy has become a central bridge linking Qatar and Chile, fostering dialogue, shared experiences, and mutual understanding.
The Qatar, Argentina and Chile 2025 Year of Culture represents the most ambitious cultural initiative between the two nations to date, celebrating Latin American creativity in Qatar. The landmark edition fostered cultural exchange between artists, scholars, and audiences in all three nations.
Planned events included art exhibitions, immersive storytelling sessions, arts and crafts workshops, and performances such as the Philharmonic at the Library: Cordillera Sonora - Sound of the Mountains, showcasing Chilean musical heritage in a Qatari context. Other highlights include a Children’s Cultural Activity at the Centro Cultural La Moneda in Santiago, organised by the Qatar National Library, and a cycling expedition that saw 18 cyclists from Qatar, Chile and Argentina cross the Andes during a nine-day journey.
In November 2025, Qatar Museums’ Cultural Heritage Protection Department took part in a conservation programme to safeguard the UNESCO World Heritage City of Valparaíso, and the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) hosted Chilean innovators highlighting education innovations from Latin America.
The Year of Culture concluded with Polo al Marsa, a two-day polo showcase bringing together teams from Qatar and Chile.
Through these exchanges, the 2025 Year of Culture not only introduced Chilean culture to Qatar but also inspired long-term cultural understanding and enduring friendships that will extend far beyond the edition.
The Chilean diaspora plays a growing role in Qatar’s cultural landscape, contributing across diverse fields, from aviation and education to the arts, while maintaining strong links to their heritage.
During the 2025 Year of Culture, members of the Chilean community in Doha shared their experiences, reflecting on identity, belonging, and life between cultures:
Together, these stories illustrate how the Chilean diaspora maintain their cultural roots while forging meaningful connections in Qatar.
Tourism between the two countries is also increasing, with Santiago and Easter Island attracting Qatari visitors, and Doha’s architecture and cultural hubs drawing Chileans. While no direct flights currently connect Doha and Santiago, routes via São Paulo or Madrid remain widely used.
As part of the 2025 Year of Culture, Qatari Influencer Ambassadors travelled across Chile, experiencing its landscapes, cuisine, and warm hospitality firsthand.
Understanding visa requirements and consular services is essential for citizens and tourists seeking to explore both countries.
Travel between Qatar and Chile is facilitated by practical visa arrangements, despite a lack of resident embassies. Chilean citizens may obtain a visa on arrival in Qatar for short-term visits, while Qatari nationals must secure a visa in advance for Chile. The 2025 political consultations established mutual visa exemption for diplomatic, special, and official passport holders.
Consular services are handled through non-resident missions. Chileans in Qatar can access consular support via the Embassy in Abu Dhabi, while Qataris in Chile rely on the Embassy in Buenos Aires. These arrangements cover visas, passports, legal support, and documentation for both short-term visitors and longer-term residents.
As of June 2022, the current non-resident Ambassador of the State of Qatar to The Republic of Chile is HE Batal bin Mujeeb Batal Al Dossary. Since September 2024, Chile’s non-resident Ambassador to Qatar is HE Patricio Diaz Broughton.
The Qatar-Chile partnership is poised for continued growth, with emerging sectors such as renewable energy, technology, and sustainable agriculture offering promising avenues for collaboration.
Cultural diplomacy remains equally significant, with the 2025 Year of Culture laying the groundwork for long-term artist exchanges, educational initiatives, and community engagement. As both nations pursue new opportunities, Qatar and Chile are shaping a relationship that is forward-looking, people-centred, and rich with potential.
Explore upcoming Chile-related events in Qatar as part of the Years of Culture Programme.
