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Al-Khor and Al-Thakhira, Qatar
Al-Khor and Al-Thakhira is a coastal municipality whose economy combines tourism, fisheries and light industry. The area has also grown through regional development in energy and infrastructure.
groups
City population
140,453
person
Member since
2025
Vision
The municipality places lifelong learning at the centre of health, inclusion and sustainability, aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030. It participates in the WHO Healthy Cities Network, expands awareness campaigns and develops community learning spaces. Medium term, it aims to scale health education, school partnerships and mobile clinics. Long term, it plans cycling schools, intergenerational workshops and educational parks with interactive sustainable-development pathways.
“Learning cities facilitate lifelong learning for all; they help to realize the universal right to education, promote education for sustainable development, establish flexible learning pathways, and support skills development for employment.”
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Mr Abdullah Al Sada
Mayor of Al-Khor and Al-Thakhira
Policies, plan and implementation
Sustainability and health
The municipality links infrastructure with education through major facilities such as the waste recycling plant, wastewater treatment plant and desalination plant, complemented by school campaigns like Tree Week. The Al Bayt Stadium sustainability strategy for the FIFA World Cup 2022 integrated recycling, clean transport and public awareness, leaving a long-term environmental and educational legacy.
Equity and inclusion
Equity is advanced through partnerships with 30 schools (circa 13,000 students) and tailored community programmes for women, youth and people with disabilities. Dedicated spaces such as Al Qurma Beach Women’s Park and Social Media Park provide literacy, cultural and fitness activities in safe environments, fostering intergenerational and intercultural learning.
Decent work and entrepreneurship
Employment pathways combine municipal training centres, women’s leadership initiatives and online vacancy platforms. The Integrated Workers’ City links housing, recreation and continuous learning, providing migrant workers with courses in languages, financial literacy and vocational skills. These programmes strengthen job security, support entrepreneurship and reflect the city’s commitment to inclusive economic participation.
Good practices
Aquaculture Research Centre
The Aquaculture Research Centre develops sustainable fish-farming methods and applied research to strengthen food security. It trains young researchers in marine ecology and aquaculture, provides technical support and organizes community learning visits. The centre links environmental stewardship with economic resilience, positioning aquaculture as both a livelihood pathway and an educational resource.
Al-Khor and Al-Thakhira Sewage Treatment Plant
The Sewage Treatment Plant uses advanced water-reuse systems to produce reclaimed water for agriculture and landscaping. Beyond its technical role, it functions as an educational site, hosting school visits and public campaigns on water scarcity, safe reuse and circular-economy practices, while promoting awareness of health and environmental challenges in arid settings.
Baladna Farm Food Factory
Baladna Farm is one of Qatar’s largest agribusinesses, combining large-scale dairy production with educational outreach. It receives schools, families and professional groups for guided visits that highlight animal care, food processing and supply-chain management. The initiative supports local food security, creates employment and raises public awareness of nutrition and sustainable farming.