Years of Culture
false
Back to Editorial
2025/01/16
Diplomatic relations between Qatar and the United States were officially established in 1972, following Qatar’s declaration of independence the previous year. The relationship has flourished in the decades since, with both nations collaborating closely on numerous global and regional issues and initiatives.
The presence of long-established embassies and consulates in both countries reflects the strength of these ties. Qatar has an embassy in Washington, with His Excellency Sheikh Mashal Bin Hamad Al Thani serving as the Qatari Ambassador in the USA. Qatar also has consulates in Los Angeles, Houston, Texas and New York City.
The US Embassy in Qatar is located in the Al-Luqta district of Doha, with Mr. Timmy Davis as the U.S. Ambassador to Qatar. These diplomatic missions facilitate political, cultural, and economic exchanges as well as offering visa services and consular assistance, such as obtaining a USA visa from Qatar.
Recent high-level visits, such as those by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to the US, following visits from key Qatar ministers and US officials, further underscore the warmth of bilateral relations between Qatar and the USA.
In 2022, President Joe Biden designated Qatar as a major non-NATO ally, recognising the importance of the relationship between the two nations. This alliance between Qatar and the USA enables joint exercises between the two countries, with shared objectives in areas such as global security and regional stability.
The economic ties between Qatar and the United States are underpinned by in-depth trade agreements and diverse mutual investments in a broad range of industries. The USA is Qatar’s fifth-largest trading partner, contributing substantially to sectors such as aviation, energy, and infrastructure. In 2023 alone, bilateral trade between Qatar and the USA reached $6.7 billion.
Qatar has significant investments in the US, including a stake in high-profile sports franchises like the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals. Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund has announced plans to invest $45 billion in the US, with a particular focus on infrastructure, real estate and technology.
The Qatar Airways fleet primarily consists of Boeing aircraft, which has directly and indirectly contributed to generating more than 500,000 American jobs.
American companies such as ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips are key players in Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, bringing expertise and investment to one of the world’s largest LNG markets. This partnership reflects the mutual benefits of their economic collaboration, particularly in energy, where Qatar leads as a top global exporter.
The US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC) plays a key role in fostering business relations. This non-profit entity provides a platform for the development of the bilateral business relationship between Qatar and the USA.
Cultural relations between Qatar and the United States are stronger than ever, primarily based on impressive educational exchanges and unique cultural initiatives, such as the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture.
Education City in Qatar is a pioneering project of Qatar Foundation that is home to branch campuses of six prestigious American universities in Doha, including:
This unique collaboration has allowed thousands of International and Qatari students to pursue world-class education while strengthening academic and research links between the two nations.
In the arts, non-profit organisations such as the Qatar America Institute for Culture (QAIC) have promoted cross-cultural exchange, fostering understanding through exhibitions and creative programmes. Although QAIC completed its mission recently, it left a significant legacy of collaboration between cultural institutions in both nations.
Qatar also hosts major American cultural events, such as American Music Abroad, a flagship music exchange programme that brings American musicians to Qatar to perform and collaborate with local artists. The US Embassy’s Spring of Jazz events in Doha have also introduced Qatari audiences to a rich tradition of American jazz.
Furthermore, Qatar’s role as the host of the FIFA World Cup 2022 showcased its hospitality and commitment to the sport on an international scale. With the 2026 World Cup set to take place in North America, Qatar is set to pass the baton and share its expertise with the US, continuing the exchange of cultural knowledge in the realm of sports.
A major highlight of the friendship between Qatar and the United States was the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture. The initiative saw a year-long programme of events in both countries including art exhibitions, musical performances, creative exchanges and more, designed to foster mutual understanding and respect.
One of the standout cultural events in Qatar was the Jeff Koons: Lost in America exhibition, held at QM Gallery Al Riwaq in Doha. Featuring over sixty curated works, the exhibition highlighted the inimitable career of one of America's most celebrated contemporary artists.
Another landmark event was the Virgil Abloh: Figures of Speech exhibition at Fire Station. The American designer and artist’s first exhibition in the Middle East, Figures of Speech became a posthumous celebration of his work, following Abloh’s untimely death.
Another immensely popular event during the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture was Seagrass Tales, Dugong Trails at the National Museum of Qatar, a special exhibition about the mysterious Dugong that have lived in Qatari waters for centuries.
In the United States, public art initiative JEDARIART brought Qatari artists to cities across the USA including San Francisco, Houston, Portland, DC, Jersey City and Miami, transforming public spaces with vibrant art that reflected Qatari heritage and creativity.
Pearls of Wonder: A Digital Era was an interactive exhibition held in New York that featured works of Qatari artists, inspired by the country’s historical pearl industry.
In Los Angeles, the Desert Drive-In highlighted both countries’ mutual love for cinema, with a reinterpretation of the traditional American drive-in movie experience, where audiences enjoyed a film screening inspired by Bedouin culture and learned about Qatari heritage.
An impressive photography exchange also took place between photographers Andrew Studer and Khalifa Al Misnad, who spent time in the Pacific Northwest of the USA, capturing the breathtaking landscapes and documenting their journey. The resulting photographs were then exhibited at the Qatar America Institute of Culture in Washington D.C.
These events greatly enriched the cultural landscapes of both nations and highlighted the powerful impact of artistic and cultural diplomacy.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Qatar and the United States, The US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC), Qatar Museums, and the U.S. Embassy in Qatar partnered to host a private networking event at the 3-2-1 Olympic Museum.
Since then, several significant events and exhibitions have been held as part of the lasting legacy of the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture, including an ambitious exhibition of the works of Dan Flavin / Donald Judd that was held at QM Gallery – Al Riwaq, in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).
Fashioning an Empire: Textiles from Safavid Iran was a landmark exhibition at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha in 2023, originally curated in collaboration with and presented at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art during the 2021 Year of Culture. M7 in Doha is also hosting Ellsworth Kelly at 100, organised by Glenstone Museum in Maryland.
In conclusion, Qatar-US relations are a model for international partnerships, characterised by diplomatic alliances, robust trade agreements and vibrant cultural exchanges. The Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture was a testament to the depth of their relationship, celebrating decades of mutual respect and cooperation. As Qatar and the US look toward the future, their collaboration will undoubtedly continue to go from strength to strength.
Read more about upcoming events as part of the current edition of Years of Culture
