HKHamad Al-KawariOfficial Website
HomeBiographyBiographyGrowing up and ChildhoodEducational PathInheriting SuccessTrials of Exile and SurvivalFuture DreamCareerProfessional and Diplomatic BeginningsThe New York ExperienceQatar UN RepresentativeMinistry of CultureAdvancing Freedom of ExpressionPositions in International OrganizationsThe UNESCO ExperienceMedals and HonoursBooksA Journey into the World of WritingQatar National LibraryQatar National LibraryTravelsAfrican MemoriesLove of TravelPhotography and Science
Minister of State · Diplomat · Author

Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari

A Qatari statesman who has served his country for decades in culture, media and diplomacy — building bridges between Qatar and the world. President of Qatar National Library.

Read the biographyExplore his books
Dr. Hamad Al-Kawari with his family at a graduation ceremony
Inheriting SuccessA family that carries the journey forward

I was destined to live among books — gathering those that spoke to me, and searching within them for the wisdom of wayfarers: the ancestors of humanity who have left us a legacy woven through every art and literary tradition.

Hamad Al-Kawari
1972Among the first diplomats of Qatar’s newly founded Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1984–90Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations
1992Minister of Information and Culture, expanding media freedom in Qatar
2020President of Qatar National Library
The Journey

A life of mindful diplomacy

From a childhood in Al-Ghariya to the halls of the United Nations and UNESCO, each chapter of Dr. Hamad’s life added a new bridge between Qatar and the world.

Full biography
ChildhoodGrowing up in Al-GhariyaBetween the mountain and the sea in the north of Qatar EducationFrom Doha to CairoSalah al-Din School, the religious institute, then university in Cairo 1972Diplomatic beginningsFrom school principal to the founding team of the Foreign Ministry 1984The New York experienceQatar’s representative to the United Nations 1992Ministry of CultureMinister of Information and Culture, then of Culture, Arts and Heritage 2017The UNESCO experienceCandidate for Director-General — approaching a dream 2020Qatar National LibraryA cultural, scientific and diplomatic beacon
Dr. Hamad Al-Kawari with the staff of Qatar National Library
Qatar National Library

A cultural, scientific and diplomatic beacon

Led by Dr. Hamad since April 2020, the Library plays a pivotal role in disseminating knowledge and documenting the history of Qatar and the Gulf, alongside Arab and Islamic documentary heritage.

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The Intellectual Legacy

Books as testimonies to history

All books
Cover of The Global Majlis
English edition · HBKU Press, 2016

The Global Majlis

An intellectual and diplomatic autobiography tracing a life devoted to cultural work, dialogue between civilisations and international relations.

Cover of Bridges not Barriers
English edition

Bridges not Barriers

A new approach to North–South relations, revealing the story behind his UNESCO campaign. Also translated into French, Spanish, Persian and German.

Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-KawariIn Proportion to Men of ResolveArabic edition
Intellectual autobiography

In Proportion to Men of Resolve

Personal stories, professional milestones and reflections — from negotiation and cultural diplomacy to education, literature and freedom.

Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-KawariSome of Me… Cultural Diplomacy After the Qatar World CupArabic edition
2023

Some of Me… Cultural Diplomacy After the Qatar World Cup

Intercultural dialogue, soft power and the cultural legacy of the World Cup, and the journey of books and libraries in the digital age.

Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-KawariThe Deficient KnowledgeArabic edition
Riyad El-Rayyes, Beirut, 2005

The Deficient Knowledge

Arab human rights seen through the defining events of the decade before 2005 — and the Arab identity crisis that followed.

Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-KawariDialectics of Conflicts and SettlementsArabic edition
Dar Al-Mustaqbal Al-Arabi, Cairo, 2001

Dialectics of Conflicts and Settlements

How wars and conflicts shape the possibility of peaceful settlements in international and regional relations.

His Highness the Amir presenting an honour to Dr. Hamad Al-Kawari
Medals and Honours

Recognised for a lifetime of service

Sash of His Highness the Father EmirQatar’s highest award, October 2017
Honorary DoctorateUniversity of Rome Tor Vergata
All honours

Explore his life

African MemoriesTies with leaders and universities across Africa Freedom of ExpressionPioneering media freedom in Qatar Love of TravelMore than 80 countries, a lifetime of journeys PhotographyA passion that began in New York Difficulties and ChallengesAlienation, and surviving an earthquake Inheriting SuccessIman, Tamim and Imran International RolesUNESCO and the United Nations Future DreamDocumenting experience for the next generation