Doha: HE Minister of State for Energy Affairs Eng. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi has highlighted the significance of Qatar National Day as a moment of pride and unity for the nation. In remarks to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE Al Kaabi emphasized that the day is more than a date; it is a unifying national moment that celebrates loyalty, unity, and appreciation for the country's leadership. He paid homage to the founder, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, and applauded the substantial achievements under Qatar's current leadership, particularly in the energy sector, which he described as pivotal to the country's development and global standing.
According to Qatar News Agency, Al Kaabi stated that National Day embodies "values of loyalty and belonging," serving as a time to reaffirm commitment to the nation's leadership and honor the sacrifices of earlier generations. He stressed that the day fosters a sense of responsibility among the youth and inspires future generations to continue advancing the country's progress. He also noted a broad national consensus around the principles laid down by the country's founder and reinforced by successive Qatari leaders, highlighting the leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in embedding these values in Qatar's long-term strategic goals.
Reviewing the past year's developments, HE Al Kaabi reported that Qatar's energy sector has sustained robust growth despite global economic and geopolitical challenges, ensuring the uninterrupted production and supply of energy worldwide. He highlighted major expansion projects by QatarEnergy, including the North Field West expansion, which will elevate Qatar's LNG production capacity to 142 million tons per year, and the Golden Pass LNG project in the United States, which is expected to further increase production.
QatarEnergy has also embarked on its largest fleet expansion, receiving new LNG carriers from shipyards in China and South Korea and signing long-term contracts to operate 128 new vessels. Progress continues on the Ras Laffan Petrochemicals Complex and the Golden Triangle Polymers plant in Texas, expanding the nation's petrochemicals production capabilities.
In the fertilizer sector, a significant project in Mesaieed is set to more than double Qatar's urea production capacity, contributing to global food security. The inauguration of the Ras Laffan and Mesaieed solar power plants marks another milestone, increasing total solar generation capacity to 1,675 megawatts. Additionally, Qatar is expanding its carbon capture and storage facilities and advancing its "One Million Trees" initiative.
Looking ahead, Qatar is preparing to host the 21st International Conference and Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG2026) in February, expected to reinforce Qatar's leadership in the global gas industry. HE Al Kaabi concluded that Qatar's achievements reflect the country's strategic vision and its ability to transform challenges into opportunities, ultimately strengthening national prosperity and safeguarding the interests of future generations.