Britain and Qatar
A Strong Partnership
The State of Qatar and the United Kingdom are close allies with a long history of friendship dating back to the nineteenth century. Today they are important trade and security partners who work closely to promote:
- bilateral trade and investment
- international security and stability
- cooperation on counter-extremism and terrorism in the middle east and beyond
- common responses to humanitarian crises affecting refugees, education and human rights in the developing world
Their close economic, political and security relationship is under-pinned by common values, common interests and common aspirations. It is an evolving friendship which has grown stronger as their paths have become more intertwined and their mutual respect ever deeper.
Partner Case StudiesThe peoples of the two countries enjoy close ties on many levels:
20,000+
British Nationals living and working in Qatar.
175,000
visits from Qatar to the UK in 2019.
3,000
students come to study in the UK every year.
Annually
A British Festival to strengthen the UK’s position as Qatar’s cultural partner of choice.
Working Together
The two allies work together to provide aid in crisis-stricken places such as Afghanistan, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya and the Horn of Africa providing vital support for distressed and vulnerable populations, including refugees and the internally displaced.
In 2021 Qatar and the UK decided to deepen their alliance by strengthening co-operation in a wide range of areas including:
- developing trade
- investment
- defence
- security and technology
- combating terrorism
- public health
- climate change
- energy
- culture
- sports
- education
Boris Johnson meets with Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar at 10 Downing Street, 24th May, 2022.
Strategic Dialogue
The Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, and the UK Foreign Secretary held the first UK- Qatar Strategic Dialogue in London on 20 February 2023.
The two allies committed to hold an annual dialogue to further strengthen their partnership in bilateral trade, investment; defence, security, and counterterrorism; foreign policy, climate change and energy, humanitarian and development assistance cooperation, global cooperation in conflict management, health, education, and culture.
Qatar is a valued partner for the UK, supported ”by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad’s leadership.
The Father Emir, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani and HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser at Windsor Castle.
