Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani led Qatar's transformation into global energy power

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, known as the Father Emir, established the foundation for modern Qatar through an 18-year reign that ended in 2013. During his tenure, the state transitioned from a regional economy into the world’s leading exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Economic shift and LNG expansion Under his leadership, Qatar prioritized the industrial development of the North Field, the world’s largest non-associated gas field. This strategic focus resulted in Qatar’s GDP growing from approximately $8 billion in 1995 to nearly $200 billion by the time he abdicated in favor of his son, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The expansion included the establishment of QatarEnergy (formerly Qatar Petroleum) as a global player in the energy sector. Media and international diplomacy In 1996, Sheikh Hamad abolished the Ministry of Information and provided the initial $137 million grant to launch Al Jazeera, the first independent news channel in the Arab world. His reign was also characterized by a proactive foreign policy, positioning Doha as a primary mediator in regional conflicts across Lebanon, Sudan, and Yemen, while strengthening ties with international…