Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs, HE Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed, participated in the Pax Silica Summit held from June 23 to 25, 2026, in Washington, DC. The event convened member countries of the Pax Silica initiative to discuss industry developments, government cooperation, and strategies to enhance collaboration in advanced technologies and supply chain security.
The summit’s first day focused on private sector engagement and industry-related topics, while the second day centered on government coordination and efforts to strengthen partnership among member states. During the event, Dr. Al Sayed signed the Joint Statement on AI Opportunity between Qatar and the United States, an annex to the Pax Silica Declaration initially signed in January 2026. This declaration aims to bolster bilateral cooperation in advanced technologies, enhance supply chain security, and contribute to a more resilient global economic framework.
Alongside his participation in the summit, Dr. Al Sayed held several bilateral meetings with senior officials from member countries and international organizations to discuss trade, investment, and technological cooperation. Attendees included Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of Kazakhstan; Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, UAE Minister of State; Jacob Helberg, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment; Dr. Ceferino S. Rodolfo, Undersecretary for Industry Development and Investment Promotions of the Philippines; Chng Kai Fong, Permanent Secretary of Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information; David Copley, Special Assistant to the U.S. President and Senior Director for Global Supply Chains at the National Security Council; and Ben Black, CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.
These meetings explored avenues to strengthen trade and investment ties, expand economic cooperation, harmonize policies, and identify opportunities for collaboration in artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. Discussions also emphasized facilitating trade exchanges and fostering partnerships between business communities in ways that align with mutual interests.
In addition to engagements with government officials, Dr. Al Sayed met representatives of global companies to review Qatar’s investment landscape and explore growth prospects in key sectors such as artificial intelligence, advanced technology, the digital economy, and supply chain development. These efforts reflect Qatar’s strategic aim to attract investment and deepen cooperation in innovation-driven industries.
The Pax Silica Declaration, signed earlier this year by Qatar and the United States, represents a strategic initiative to strengthen technological collaboration and supply chain resilience. The accord underlines the commitment of both countries to support global economic stability and security through enhanced bilateral partnership and joint development of emerging technologies.