Qatar’s economic diversification strategy will take on greater importance as the country responds to the consequences of the Iran war, with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani pledging that the Gulf state will emerge from the crisis more resilient and better prepared for global changes.
Speaking on Tuesday at the opening of the Shura Council’s annual session in Doha, Sheikh Tamim outlined how Qatar intends to protect its sovereignty, maintain economic stability and expand industries beyond its established liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector.
The emir said the crisis had demonstrated the importance of long-term planning and economic preparedness, arguing that a country’s ability to withstand disruption depends on decisions made before emergencies arise.
“Resilience isn’t born in the moment of crisis; rather, it is the result of the planning that precedes it,” he said.
Sheikh Tamim accused Iran of attacking Qatari territory, describing the incident as a violation of the country’s sovereignty, international law and the principles of good-neighbourly relations. Iran has maintained that its military operations during the conflict targeted US interests in neighbouring countries.
Despite the confrontation, the emir said Qatar remained committed to resolving disputes through negotiation and peaceful means. He stressed, however, that diplomacy would not come at the expense of national defence.
“Our right to defend our sovereignty does not conflict with our determination to prevent a wider war,” he said.
He also called for stronger cooperation among members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), warning that regional security, sovereignty and stability must remain priorities as tensions continue to affect the Gulf.
The emir urged regional governments to strengthen efforts to protect maritime navigation through the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, as well as safeguard energy facilities, water infrastructure and other civilian assets.
The speech also addressed the economic consequences of the conflict, particularly the disruption to Qatar’s energy exports. The country supplies about one-fifth of global LNG, making it an important participant in international energy markets. Sheikh Tamim said the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, combined with direct damage to some energy facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City, had disrupted a significant share of Qatar’s exports.
He said the government had responded by maintaining essential services and supply chains while protecting economic activity and keeping diplomatic channels open. Qatar’s strategy, he explained, had four main priorities: defending the country without being drawn further into the war, maintaining essential services and economic operations, supporting efforts to secure a ceasefire and reopen waterways, and encouraging negotiations to achieve a peaceful settlement.
Economic figures presented by the emir illustrated the pressure on public finances. Qatar’s total revenues fell by 42 per cent in the first half of the year, while public expenditure declined by 14 per cent. Sheikh Tamim said the government had avoided indiscriminate cuts to essential services and continued to protect its development priorities despite the financial strain.
He attributed the country’s ability to absorb the shock, in part, to measures introduced before the crisis. These included strengthening financial reserves, reducing public debt, adopting conservative oil price assumptions in budget planning and developing sources of government revenue beyond hydrocarbons.
Non-hydrocarbon industries have become particularly important to this response. According to the emir, these sectors continued to grow during the crisis, accounting for approximately 80 per cent of real gross domestic product (GDP). He also reported continued growth in the country’s stock of foreign direct investment.
The figures underline Qatar’s effort to reduce its dependence on hydrocarbon revenues without abandoning the energy industry that has helped finance its development. Rather than treating recovery as a return to pre-war conditions, Sheikh Tamim said the government intended to use it to accelerate economic diversification and strengthen national capabilities.
Sheikh Tamim said Qatar would continue expanding LNG production through the North Field Gas project, while advancing international energy investments and partnerships. He also highlighted progress on the Golden Pass project in the United States, alongside plans to develop petrochemical industries and solar energy projects and strengthen water security.
Beyond energy, the government’s priorities include food security, agriculture, technology, education, institutional efficiency and digital transformation. The emir said investment in education and technology would help prepare the country for emerging challenges and support a more diverse economy.
The strategy reflects an effort to build greater economic resilience by developing sectors that can continue generating activity when energy exports face disruption. However, the scale of the financial losses reported during the first half of the year also illustrates how exposed Qatar remains to interruptions affecting its main export industry and regional shipping routes.
The emir also addressed international political issues, reaffirming Qatar’s support for the Palestinian cause. He described events in Gaza as genocide and called for those responsible to be held accountable. He also condemned Israeli settler attacks in the occupied West Bank and repeated raids on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, citing violations of international law.
His remarks reinforced Qatar’s criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon, amid repeated public criticism of Doha by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has described Qatar as a hostile state.
Sheikh Tamim further reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to diplomatic mediation in conflicts involving Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia, presenting negotiation as an ongoing part of the country’s regional and international role.
The emir’s central message was that Qatar’s recovery should involve more than restoring disrupted exports and economic activity. The government intends to use the crisis to strengthen its finances, broaden its economic base and prepare for future shocks, while continuing to invest in energy production and maintain its diplomatic commitments.
