The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, and His Excellency Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, to advance Canada’s partnerships in the Gulf region and reinforce cooperation on shared priorities.
During her meeting with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Minister Anand conveyed Canada’s full solidarity with Qatar amid evolving regional developments and discussed the impact of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s strikes on Qatar, as well as the broader implications of the ongoing conflict for regional security and stability. She thanked Qatar for its continued support for Canadian citizens residing in the country.
Building on the momentum generated by Minister Anand’s and Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Qatar in January 2026, the two ministers reviewed progress in bilateral relations and identified concrete opportunities to deepen cooperation. To support these efforts, they signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a strategic dialogue at the ministerial level focused on cooperation in the security, defence, and economic sectors.
Minister Anand and Sheikh Mohammed also highlighted the Qatar–Canada 2026 Year of Culture as an important opportunity to strengthen people-to-people ties and foster resilient partnerships grounded in dialogue and shared experiences. Minister Anand reiterated Prime Minister Carney’s invitation for His Excellency to visit Canada in the coming year.
In Oman, Minister Anand met with Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi to build on more than 50 years of positive bilateral relations and a shared commitment to expanding cooperation. The two ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations, formally establishing a regular bilateral dialogue to advance engagement in areas including trade, clean technology, critical minerals, education—particularly in the health sector—tourism, and people-to-people ties.
The ministers also discussed opportunities to strengthen trade and economic cooperation between Canada and Oman, as well as across the broader Gulf region. They exchanged views on the ongoing conflict in the region and emphasized the importance of protecting civilian lives, supporting de-escalation efforts, and safeguarding freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Minister Anand acknowledged Oman’s longstanding contributions to regional diplomacy and mediation efforts. Both ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to international law, including respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity. Minister Anand also expressed her appreciation for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman, underscoring Canada’s commitment to building a substantive and future-oriented partnership with Oman.
These meetings underscore Canada’s commitment to strengthening relationships with key partners across the Gulf region, advancing economic prosperity, enhancing security cooperation, promoting cultural and people-to-people connections, and supporting peace, stability, and respect for international law.
Minister Anand and her counterparts in Qatar and Oman agreed to remain in close contact as they continue to advance shared priorities and deepen bilateral cooperation.
