Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani[1] (Arabic:محمدبنعبدالرحمنبنجاسمبنجبرآلثاني;born 1 November 1980) is a Qatari diplomat,economist,and politician who has been serving as the Prime Minister of Qatar since 7 March 2023,[2] and as Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2016.[3] He has also been serving as Chairman of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) since 2014,and is a member of Qatar's Supreme Council for Economic Affairs and Investments (SCEAI) since 2014. Sheikh Mohammed previously served as the country's deputy prime minister from 2017 to 2023,[1] and as chairman of the Qatar Investment Authority from 2018 to 2023.[4]
Sheikh Mohammed was born and raised in Doha,Qatar. He is part of the Qatari royal family as a member of the House of Thani.[5] He holds a bachelor's degree in economics and business administration from the College of Business and Economics at Qatar University (2003).[6]
Career
Early in his career,Sheikh Mohammed worked as an economic researcher at the Ruling Family Council in 2003 where he later served as the Director of Economic Affairs from 2005 to 2009.[6]
In 2009,Sheikh Mohammed was appointed Director of the Department of Public and Private Sectors Partnership at the Ministry of Business and Trade and launched "Enterprise Qatar" –an organization that provides technical and financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises.[7]
From 2010 to 2011,Sheikh Mohammed served as Secretary of the Personal Representative of His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani for Follow-up Affairs at the Amiri Diwan.[7]
In the same year,he became chairman of the Board of Directors of Qatar Mining Company.[8]
In 2011,Sheikh Mohammed became the chairman of the executive committee of the Development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and chairman of the Board of Directors of Aspire –Katara Investment Company.[citation needed]
In 2013,Sheikh Mohammed joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Assistant Foreign Minister for International Cooperation Affairs,having attained the career rank of Undersecretary the year before.[7][9] His policies focused on promoting multilateral cooperation,implementing Qatar's foreign development policy,and applying international cooperation strategies based on the Qatar National Vision 2030.[10]
Premiership
Sheikh Mohammed with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg on 5 March 2023Sheikh Mohammed with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Amman,Jordan on 4 November 2023Sheikh Mohammed with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Doha,Qatar on 19 December 2023
Sheikh Mohammed's priorities as prime minister include advising Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the formation of ministries in the country,and assisting him in performing his duties and exercising his roles. Sheikh Mohammed also heads the cabinet sessions,including managing discussions and supervising the coordination of work between ministries to achieve unity between governmental agencies and ensure the integration of their activities.[10]
Role as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister
Sheikh Mohammed's responsibilities as Minister of Foreign Affairs[10] include planning and implementing Qatar's foreign policy,maintaining and extending the country's strategic bilateral and multilateral relations,leading mediation efforts,and consolidating international peace and security.
On 7 October 2023,Hamas started an extensive armed conflict with Israel. Due to its escalation,on 9 October,he made urgent talks to attempt to arrange the release of 36 Palestinian women and children from Israeli prisons in exchange for the release of Israeli women and children held by the militant group that were being detained in Gaza. Qatar has played a crucial role in facilitating the release of American and Australian hostages who were stranded in Israel and Gaza.[11]
On 1 November 2023,Qatar mediated an agreement between Egypt,Israel,and Hamas. This agreement,which was coordinated with the U.S.,enabled the evacuation of civilians from besieged Gaza.[12][13] Sheikh Mohammed met with CIA Director William J. Burns and head of Mossad David Barnea in Qatar in November.[14][15] They extended the 2023 Gaza war ceasefire by two days and organised the exchange of more than 100 Israeli hostages for 240 Palestinian prisoners.[16][17][18][19][20] Sheikh Mohammed condemned Israel's bombing of the Gaza Strip and called for an "immediate,comprehensive and impartial international investigation" into what he called Israeli crimes in Gaza.[21]
In late January 2024,Sheikh Mohammed met US officials in an effort to continue ceasefire negotiations in Washington,D.C.[22] and welcomed US Secretary Antony Blinken in Doha on 6 February 2024.[23] With Qatar and Egypt as mediators,Hamas proposed a deal which would include the release of all Israeli hostages in Gaza and hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons,and an end to the war.[24] On 7 February 2024,Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected the proposal.[25]
The humanitarian efforts by Mohammed and Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani were praised by various global leaders,such as Antony Blinken,Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau,US president Joe Biden and the EU's high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrell.[26][27][28]
TIME magazine recognized Sheikh Mohammed as one of the "100 Most Influential People" in the world for 2024. According to the magazine,Sheikh Mohammed's inclusion in the list is attributed to his notable role in the negotiations between Hamas and Israel.[29]
In January 2025,Sheikh Mohammed facilitated negotiations that led to a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas after over a year of conflict in Gaza. Under his mediation,Qatari officials hosted talks in Doha,resulting in a truce involving a hostage-prisoner exchange and measures to address the humanitarian situation in the region.[30]
In February 2025,Sheikh Mohammed visited Beirut,Lebanon,reaffirming Qatar's support for the country. During his one-day visit,Al Thani met with Lebanese officials,including President Joseph Aoun,Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri,Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam,and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. He pledged Qatar's active involvement in Lebanon's reconstruction,particularly in the southern region affected by the recent conflict with Israel.[31]
Role as Chairman of Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD)
Sheikh Mohammed became the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) in 2014. His appointment coincided with a major restructuring of the fund,which he spearheaded. He served in this capacity for a decade until 2024,[32] when he was succeeded by Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al Thani.[33]
Several humanitarian and development initiatives were launched by the Fund during his tenure,including the "Qatar Creates Vision" initiative in India and Bangladesh,[34] the "Quest" initiative for educating displaced Syrians and refugees in Syria and neighboring countries,[35] and the "Business Incubator Laboratories" initiative in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program.[36]
Role as Chairman of Qatar Investment Authority (QIA)
On 24 May 2023,the President of Paraguay,Mario Abdo Benítez,awarded the National Order of Merit to Sheikh Mohammed.[37] Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs,Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi,[38] received the honor on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed.
This award was in recognition of Sheikh Mohammed's role in supporting and strengthening relations between the two countries.[37]
This award was in recognition of his diplomatic efforts to strengthen relations between the State of Qatar and the United States,to support and advance peace efforts in Afghanistan (including the signing of the US–Taliban peace deal on 29 February 2020,as well as the launch of the Afghan peace process on 12 September 2020),to promote stability and prosperity in the Middle East North Africa region,and to resolve the Gulf Crisis through diplomacy.[39]
Republic of Ireland honour
Sheikh Mohammed was the 2024 recipient of the Tipperary International Peace Award. He received the award in a ceremony in Tipperary Town on 1 July 2025.[40]
Asterisk (*) indicate an acting head of government·Italics indicate a head of government of non-UN member state
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