Years of Culture
false
2025/01/16
We will explore the political relations, economic partnerships, and cultural connections between Qatar and the UK, with a focus on their ongoing collaboration in areas such as trade and education.
We’ll also look back at the highlights of the Qatar-UK 2013 Year of Culture, emblematic of the vibrant cultural relationship between the two nations.
The political relationship between Qatar and the UK has developed steadily since the mid-20th century. In 1916, Qatar became an official British protectorate, subsequently gaining independence in 1971. Since then, both countries have maintained a strong and proactive diplomatic relationship.
Cementing contemporary political ties with Qatar, the UK established an embassy in Doha in 1949, which today is lead by the British Ambassador to Qatar, Mr Neerav Patel. The embassy provides visa and consular services to around 20,000 British citizens living in Qatar. Similarly, Qatar opened a UK embassy in London’s Mayfair in 1970, with Fahad Mohammed Al-Attiyah currently serving as the ambassador.
Diplomatic dialogue remains a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship between the two countries, reflected in the inaugural Qatar-UK Strategic Dialogue, held in London in February 2023. This official dialogue between HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and the British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, James Cleverly covered key political and security issues, including climate change, defence, and regional stability.
The commitment to continue to strengthen the Qatar-UK alliance is also reflected in the significant state visits that have taken place in recent years. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson welcomed His Highness the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani to Downing Street in May 2022 for productive discussions around geopolitical challenges and economic growth.
His Majesty King Charles III visited Qatar three times from 2013 to 2015, where he met with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. He attended the Arts and Disability Festival held at Katara in Doha, which was the largest celebration of disability in the arts in the Middle East to date.
On the occasion of his Coronation in 2023, His Majesty King Charles III also welcomed HH the Amir and HH Sheikha Jawaher to a special reception for members of Royal Families from around the world.
Qatar and the UK enjoy a thriving economic partnership, characterised by mutual investments and significant trade, which reached £12.1 billion in 2022. In recent years, the UK and Qatar have signed numerous mutually beneficial trade agreements.
One of the most notable trade agreements is the Qatar-UK Strategic Investment Partnership (SIP), signed in 2022. Under this agreement, Qatar committed to investing £10 billion in the UK over a five year period. In the energy sector, British-Dutch oil company Royal Dutch Shell is a significant investor in Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry. This partnership underlines the importance of energy cooperation between the two nations.
Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), has invested heavily in iconic British developments and businesses, including The Shard, Canary Wharf, and Harrods department store. QIA has also invested GBP 85 million in the Rolls-Royce group. These investments have had a positive impact on economic growth, and contribute to the strong alliance between the two countries.
Cultural exchange in areas such as arts, education, and heritage has long been a pivotal aspect of the relationship between Qatar and the UK. Both countries regularly collaborate on museum exhibitions and educational programmes. These efforts reflect a broader synergy, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and enriching the cultural landscapes of both societies.
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunity, and plays an important role in cultural relations. In Qatar, The British Council provides English language lessons and promotes the arts and education. They also offer official IELTs Qualifications in Doha, with two test centres.
Over 40 international schools offer the British Curriculum in Qatar, including Doha British School and Doha College.
Qatar Foundation has also been a key player in promoting higher education opportunities for Qatari students in the UK. Around 3,200 Qatari students are studying in British universities.
Long-term collaborations between prestigious institutions like the University College London (UCL) and Hamad bin Khalifa University or Qatar University and Cambridge University showcase the depth of academic exchange between the two nations.
A UCL Campus was established in Doha as a centre of excellence for Excellence for Cultural Heritage and Knowledge Management in Qatar. From 2010 until it closed in 2020, UCL Qatar offered a range of academic programmes including Diplomas, Masters Degrees and a PhD qualification.
As part of the Qatar-UK 2013 Year of Culture, the British Council and Qatar Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, established an educational programme to develop the teaching of Arabic language and culture in British schools.
In the fields of science and technology, Qatar and the UK have made great strides working together on important research. The UK established the UK Science and Innovation Network (SIN) in Doha in 2013.
An ambitious joint venture between Qatari institutions and Imperial College London has lead to various research projects in fields from robotic surgery to cardiovascular research. Other notable initiatives include:
Qatar and the UK share a passion for sport, with both nations playing significant roles on the global stage. Both nations share a particular love for football, with English sporting hero David Beckham serving as a cultural ambassador for Qatar during the Qatar FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
Beckham also attended the inauguration of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, alongside ministers and high-ranking officials.
From cricket and polo to golf, British and Qatari culture have many sporting interests in common. Both countries are also committed to advancing sports infrastructure and promoting international sporting events.
The association between Qatar and Williams F1 at Qatar’s Science & Technology Park further strengthened the countries’ ties in the world of sport.
The Qatar-UK 2013 Year of Culture was a landmark initiative that celebrated the rich history and cultural ties between the two nations. The year-long series of events by Qatar Museums in partnership with the UK saw a wide array of exhibitions, performances, and educational programmes that highlighted shared cultural values.
One of the stand-out collaborations was the Relics exhibition by Damien Hirst. Held at QM Gallery Al Riwaq in Doha, it was the largest retrospective of the British artist’s work in the Middle East.
Following a successful run at the British Museum in London, the "Hajj: Journey Through Art" exhibition, opened at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in Doha. The exhibition was a significant cultural event that illuminated the importance of the Hajj pilgrimage in Islamic tradition.
In the UK, the Pearls exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London shared the fascinating history of pearl diving in Qatar. The "Hey'Ya: Arab Women in Sport" exhibition at the National Football Museum in Manchester was another standout event. The exhibition featured photographs of Arab female athletes by Brigitte Lacombe, showcasing their achievements and challenging stereotypes.
As part of the legacy of the Qatar-UK 2013 Year of Culture, a month-long British Festival, was launched at the British Embassy in Doha. Co-organised by the British Council, this cultural and trade event has continued in the years since. The UK also opened a pavilion at the Expo 2023 in Doha, showcasing sustainability and innovation.
The Qatar UK relationship is built on a solid foundation of political and economic cooperation. Both nations have benefitted from their close ties in various sectors, including trade, education, and the arts. Initiatives like the Year of Culture have further enriched this relationship, promoting mutual understanding and appreciation through cultural exchange.
As both nations continue to work together on issues of global importance, from climate change to economic development, the future of Qatar-UK relations looks bright, with continued opportunities for growth and partnership.
For more upcoming cultural events in Qatar, check out the Years of Culture Programme.
