Qatar Museums (QM) proudly participated in the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee (6–16 July) at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, where it celebrates its 20th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ).
Under the theme of “More than Museums,” QM hosted a special event and reception marking the two major anniversaries, where participants reflected on Qatar’s longstanding commitment to fostering cultural diplomacy and dialogue, and the nation’s forward-looking commitment to transforming museums into dynamic platforms for creativity, education, heritage, and innovation.
“These momentous anniversaries are a testament to the vision of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, and the path for national development laid out by the Father Amir and His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani,” said Mr. Mohammed Saad Al-Rumaihi, CEO of Qatar Museums. “For more than half a century, our nation has been committed to culture as a catalyst for dialogue, bridging the gaps between people and cultivating local and regional talent to present on the world’s stages. As we mark the 20th anniversary of Qatar Museums, we are continuing a creative journey in which culture is not only preserved but lived, shared, and continually reimagined.”
The gathering in Paris brought together cultural leaders, diplomats, and international stakeholders, including His Excellency Dr Nasser Al-Hinzab, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Qatar to UNESCO. A series of keynote speeches and presentations, including remarks by Mr. Mohammed Saad Al-Rumaihi charting the growth and development of QM and the National Museum of Qatar, paid tribute to the continued transformation of Qatar’s cultural landscape and QM’s pivotal role in shaping it.
His Excellency Dr. Nasser Al-Hinzab, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Qatar to UNESCO, said: “Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Museum of Qatar during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2025 reflects the State of Qatar’s efforts to promote its national heritage and place it on the global map of culture and development through UNESCO’s cultural conventions and programs. These efforts continue in coordination with Qatar Museums to support the Sustainable Development Goals related to heritage and to empower the local community to safeguard Qatar’s cultural and natural heritage.”
“We are immensely proud to see the National Museum of Qatar recognised as part of UNESCO’s anniversaries list, which stands as an acknowledgment of its meaningful contribution to the global cultural, heritage, and museum landscape,” said Dr. Fatema Hassan Al Sulaiti, Director of International Cooperation & Government Affairs at Qatar Museums and Qatar’s National Expert to UNESCO. “At Qatar Museums, we are deeply committed to preserving our heritage, and this recognition stands as a testament to 50 years of dedicated efforts to safeguard and share Qatar’s rich cultural legacy with the world. Celebrating these milestone anniversaries during the 47th World Heritage Committee makes the moment even more special.”
Founded in 1975 as the Qatar National Museum, the first national museum in the Gulf, the National Museum of Qatar is dedicated to expressing and preserving Qatar’s national identity, history, and heritage. Its striking building, designed by renowned architect Jean Nouvel, and cutting-edge galleries immerse visitors in Qatar’s ongoing national story, bringing it to life for both the Qatari people and visitors from around the globe.
“The National Museum of Qatar has grown into a space where tradition meets innovation and where the voices of our people, past and present, can be heard and celebrated,” said Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Hamad Al Thani, Director of the National Museum of Qatar. “For the past 20 years, our chairperson Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s unwavering commitment to culture and heritage has laid the foundation for this journey that spans over 50 years beginning with the National Museum of Qatar. Today, the Museum stands as a testament to that vision — not only a record of our rich heritage, but a living, evolving beacon that will inspire future generations to cherish and contribute to our story.”
The museum's cultural significance was underscored this year with its inclusion in the UNESCO Anniversaries Programme and its addition to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List—a major step towards achieving full recognition.
Since its establishment in 2005, Qatar Museums has become the umbrella institution for institutions including the National Museum of Qatar, the Museum of Islamic Art, 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art; creative hubs including M7 and the Doha Fire Station that support emerging artists and designers working in creative industries; an expansive public art programme that presents world-class artwork by local, regional and international artists across the country; and cultural heritage sites that testify to Qatar’s history.
Qatar Museums’ vibrant cultural ecosystem honours the deep connection between heritage and modernity, establishing Qatar as a renowned centre for artistic and intellectual exchange. To mark QM’s remarkable achievements, this year, it celebrates Evolution Nation, an 18-month anniversary campaign honouring the nation’s dynamic cultural journey over the past five decades. Curated by Qatar Creates, the national movement positioning Qatar as a global hub for art, culture, and creativity, the campaign underscores key cultural achievements and spotlights Qatar’s aspirations.
The celebration of the anniversary milestones is a tribute to the past and a bold declaration for the future, reaffirming QM’s commitment to being more than a network of museums, as it serves as a driving force for culture, creativity, and connection in Qatar and beyond. This milestone year is marked by Evolution Nation—an 18-month national campaign that celebrates Qatar’s cultural journey, from the founding of the National Museum to the thriving ecosystem of institutions we are proud to represent today.
For more information, please visit https://qm.org.qa/en/
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About Qatar Museums
Qatar Museums (QM), the nation’s preeminent institution for art and culture, provides authentic and inspiring cultural experiences through a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations, and programmes. QM preserves and expands the nation’s cultural offerings, sharing art and culture from Qatar, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region with the world and enriching the lives of citizens, residents, and visitors.
Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and led by its Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QM has made Qatar a vibrant centre for the arts, culture, and education in the Middle East and beyond. QM is integral to the goal of developing an innovative, diverse, and progressive nation, bringing people together to ignite new thinking, spark critical cultural conversations, and amplify the voices of Qatar’s people. Since its founding in 2005, QM has overseen the development of museums and festivals including the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and MIA Park, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Qatar (NMOQ), 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, QM Gallery Al Riwaq, QM Gallery Katara, the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival, and Design Doha. Future projects include Dadu: Children’s Museum of Qatar, Art Mill Museum, Qatar Auto Museum and the Lusail Museum.
Through its newly created Creative Hub, QM also initiates and supports projects—such as the Fire Station Artist in Residence, the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival, M7, the creative hub for innovation, fashion and design, and Liwan Design Studios and Labs —that nurture artistic talent and create opportunities to build a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure.
Animating everything that Qatar Museums does is an authentic connection to Qatar and its heritage, a steadfast commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, and a belief in creating value through invention. For more information visit https://qm.org.qa
About National Museum of Qatar
The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) preserves and celebrates the history of Qatar. It engages with its present and inspires the country's ambitions for the future. The Museum, which opened in March 2019, gives voice to the country's culture and heritage through artefacts, oral histories, music, films, and artworks. The NMoQ takes the visitor on an immersive and multisensory journey of its 1.5 km thematic and chronological galleries. The iconic building, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, is inspired by the desert rose and comprises of large interlocking disks of different diameters and curvatures that surround the restored historic palace of the late Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, ruler of Qatar (1880 – 1957). Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Thani serves as director.
Brief Overview of UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations, founded in 1945 and headquartered in Paris, France. It aims to promote peace and sustainable development through international cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture, and communication.
With 194 Member States, UNESCO works to:
• Promote inclusive and quality education for all.
• Safeguard cultural heritage and foster cultural diversity.
• Support scientific collaboration and innovation.
• Uphold freedom of expression and access to information.
UNESCO serves as a global platform for dialogue and cooperation, encouraging mutual understanding and respect among nation
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