Power players come to Doha for Qatar Economic Forum
Art at Mathaf, Travis Scott live and Table tennis world finals.
Welcome to Al-Monitor Doha.
Doha hosts a dynamic lineup of events this week, spanning global finance and contemporary art. The Qatar Economic Forum returns as a global ideas hub, charting a bold course toward 2030 with leaders from finance, technology and policy. At Mathaf, the legacy of Qatari artist Wafa al-Hamad lights up the local art scene, while Travis Scott ignites the stage on his record-breaking Circus Maximus Tour.
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1. Leading the week: Qatar Economic Forum
Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil Darren Woods (R), Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies Patrick Pouyanné (2nd R) and Qatar's Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President & CEO of Qatar Energy Saad Sherida al-Kaabi attend a session at the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha, on May 15, 2024. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP)
Global finance, innovation and leadership take center stage in Doha this week as the Qatar Economic Forum, powered by Bloomberg, returns for its fifth edition from May 20-22 at the Fairmont Doha. Under the theme “The Road to 2030: Transforming the Global Economy,” the forum underscores Qatar’s growing role as a hub for international dialogue and economic transformation.
More than 1,500 global leaders — including CEOs, investors, policymakers and cultural figures — will convene to explore five editorial pillars: geopolitics and trade, business outlook, energy and security, sports and entertainment, and technology and AI. This year’s lineup includes Michael R. Bloomberg, Mary Callahan Erdoes (JP Morgan), Tony Elumelu (Heirs Holdings) and Tan Su Shan (DBS Bank), offering high-level insights into the forces reshaping global capital, policy and industry.
Hosted by Media City Qatar in collaboration with Bloomberg, the forum aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, emphasizing innovation, sustainability and economic resilience. With registration now closed, audiences can tune in to the live broadcast and follow key moments via social media.
Location: Fairmont Hotel, Doha
Dates: May 20-22
More details here.
2. Word on the street: “Wafa al-Hamad: Sites of Imagination”
Photo by Mathaf. (via official website)
Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art presents “Wafa al-Hamad: Sites of Imagination,” the first major exhibition dedicated to pioneering Qatari artist, educator and designer Wafa al-Hamad (1964-2012).
Featuring 23 works across painting, woodwork, collage, digital art and archival material, the exhibition traces four decades of her practice — from early surrealist landscapes to bold optical illusions and calligraphy-infused abstractions rooted in Gulf heritage.
Curated by Lina Ramadan, the exhibition unfolds in three thematic sections exploring illusion, cultural memory and Arab modernism. It also includes works by regional contemporaries such as Palestinian-American Samia Halaby and Kuwaiti artist Thuraya al-Baqsami.
Dates: Through Aug. 9
Location: Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art
More details here.
3. Doha diary
Travis Scott performs onstage during the UTOPIA – Circus Maximus Tour at the Gelredome, on June 28, 2024, in Arnhem, Netherlands. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images for Live Nation )
Travis Scott – Circus Maximus Tour
Don’t miss Grammy-nominated rap icon Travis Scott live in Doha on his record-breaking Circus Maximus Tour, featuring tracks from his chart-topping album, “UTOPIA.”
Date: May 16
Location: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium
More details here.
Lubnaniyat with Omar Rahbany
A powerful reimagining of Lebanon’s beloved musical masterpieces is performed by Omar Rahbany and the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in a one-night-only concert.
Date: May 16
Location: Al Mayassa Theater, QNCC
More details here.
ITTF World Table Tennis Finals Doha 2025
Witness world-class athleticism as the planet’s top table tennis players face off in Doha for the sport’s most prestigious global title. A must-see for fans of speed, precision and elite-level competition.
Dates: May 17-25
Location: Lusail Sports Arena
More details here.
"Make With Me" at Qatar National Library
Ignite your child’s creativity at this lively arts and crafts session designed for kids ages 6-11. With vibrant materials and imaginative prompts, this joyful program nurtures artistic expression in a fun and welcoming environment.
Dates: May 20
Location: Qatar National Library
More details here.
4. Book of the week: “Qatar - Securing the Global Ambitions of a City-State”
David B. Roberts charts Qatar’s transformation from a quiet Gulf monarchy into an assertive, globally engaged state. Following the 1995 power shift, Qatar emerged with a bold new vision — launching Al Jazeera, mediating in international conflicts and leveraging its energy wealth to craft a distinct global identity known as “Brand Qatar.”
Through diplomatic risks and strategic diversification, Roberts explores how this small nation has navigated influence, security and controversy on the world stage.
5. View from Doha
Visitors tour the 34th edition of the Doha International Book Fair at the Qatari capital's Exhibition and Convention Center, on May 9, 2025. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)
6. By the numbers
- Since its launch in May 2019, the Doha Metro has served over 228 million passengers, achieving an impressive 99.84% on-time performance and 99.91% customer satisfaction, according to Qatar Rail. With 37 stations, 63 Metrolink routes and 10 MetroExpress hubs, it has become a vital backbone of transport in the city.
- Meanwhile, in the 2024 Government Electronic and Mobile Services (GEMS) Maturity Index by ESCWA, Qatar ranks third in the Arab world with a score of 0.78, reflecting strong performance in service availability, user satisfaction, and digital accessibility across 100 evaluated services.