Qatar is ruled by the Al Thani royal family. The Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, came to power on 25 June 2013 after his father, the Father Amir, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, stepped down.
In Qatar, the Amir is the ruler of the country. Rule is hereditary with power transferred from father to son. If there is no son available, power is transferred to the person whom the Amir chooses within the Al Thani family. The Amir is head of the constitutional authorities, holding both legislative and executive powers.
The Amir appoints the prime minister and ministers. The Council of Ministers or Cabinet, the supreme executive authority in the country, assist in implementing the general policies of the State. A 16-member Advisory Council debates economic, political and administrative matters referred to it by the Cabinet. The current Cabinet, which includes the 16 ministers of Qatar, is as follows:
Cabinet of Qatar
Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani
*Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister HE Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (also appointed Deputy previously in charge of international cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
*Minister of State for Defense Affairs and Deputy Prime Minster HE Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah (also member of the Council of Ministers and previously Foreign Minister)
Minister of State for the Council of Ministers Affairs HE Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud
*Minister of State for Energy Affairs and Member of the Cabinet HE Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi
Minister of Energy and Industry HE Mohammed Saleh Al Sada
Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs HE Ghaith bin Mubarak Al Kuwari
Minister of Finance HE Ali Sharif Al Emadi
*Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs HE Dr Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi
Minister of Education and Higher Education HE Mohammed Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi
*Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs HE Yousef bin Mohammed Al Othman Fakhro
**Minister of Minister of Municipality and Environment HE Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie
*Minister of Public Health HE Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari
*Minister of Culture and Sports HE Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali
*Minister of Economy and Commerce (also referred to as Minister of Commerce & Industry) HE Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani
*Minister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti
Minister of Development Planning and Statistics HE Saleh Mohammad Al Nabit
Minister of Youth and Sports HE Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali
Amiri Order No 2 of 2016
In January 2016, the Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued Amiri Order No 1 of 2016 amending the formation of the Council of Ministers, replacing the foreign minister and merging some ministries. Seven changes to the Cabinet were announced as several ministries were merged (Indicated above with *).
Amiri Order No 7 of 2018
In November 2018, the Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued Amiri Order No 7 of 2018 reshuffling the government for the first time since early 2016. Fives changes to the Cabinet were announced (Indicated above with *).
Two Deputy Prime Ministers
In November 2017, the Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued Amiri order No 4 of 2017, appointing Minister of State for Defense Affairs HE Dr Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah and Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani as Deputies to the Prime Minister, in addition to their posts.
Ministry of Education and Higher Education
As well as the merger of some ministries, the Supreme Education Council was abolished and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education was established. State-run Independent schools are expected to see major structural changes – the term ‘Independent school’ may be cancelled and facilities may remain as boys and girls schools. The new ministry has confirmed strategies and work plans set by the SEC will continue.
The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) was also abolished. The new Ministry of Public Health, which has taken over the responsibilities of the SCH, will also regulate the Primary Healthcare Corporation (PHCC) that runs the primary health centres across the country, and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) that manages the public hospitals. HMC’s Director General will be under the supervision of the Minister. The PHCC will continue providing integrated primary healthcare services according to the ministry’s regulations and standards.
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