The recent visit to Doha, Qatar by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney coincided with the launch of the Qatar Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture, a year-long program designed to complement diplomatic momentum with cultural exchange across art, sport, education, and commerce.

In fact, the Prime Minister’s visit to Doha underscored Canada’s expanding partnership with Qatar, with culture positioned alongside trade, education, and innovation as a strategic driver of long-term bilateral cooperation.

Here in Canada, the year-long celebration was launched in Toronto at the Aga Khan Museum and in Ottawa at the Qatari Embassy during the last week of January.

“Through the Year of Culture with Canada, Qatar is investing in connections to sustain a strong, forward-looking strategic partnership,” said Qatar’s newly appointed Ambassador to Canada, His Excellency Mr. Tariq Ali Faraj Al-Ansari. “These connections include skills-based development in sport sectors, creative exchanges, and bolstering the creative industries. By linking cultural exchange with economic opportunity and institutional cooperation, we are building relationships to endure beyond 2026.”

The initiative reflects a shared approach to partnership that links cultural exchange with trade diversification, skills development, and market access, reinforcing cooperation beyond traditional state-to-state channels.

Celebrations include everything from gastronomy to sport, from education and literacy to public space and design and economic partnership.

On hand for the event in Toronto were HE Tariq Ali Faraj Hashim Al Ansari, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Canada; HE Mohammed Al Kuwari, Years of Culture Advisor; Fahad Al Obaidly, Acting Director of Design Doha; Michael Bartlett, President and CEO of Canada Basketball; Rowan Barrett, General Manager/Executive Vice President, Canada Basketball.

For more, go to www.yearsofculture.qa .

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