The second edition of the Autonomous e-Mobility Forum closed in Doha on 9 September after three days that brought more than 1,500 attendees, 71 speakers and 33 exhibitors to Qatar to work through what it will take to put driverless and electric transport into everyday service.

Hosted by the Ministry of Transport of the State of Qatar, under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani, Minister of Transport, the Forum ran across two conference days at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) on 7 and 8 September, closing on 9 September with the AEMOB Ecosystem Tour. Delegates travelled from 68 countries and included government leaders, policymakers, industry representatives, researchers, academics, technology innovators, and mobility specialists.

The second Autonomous e-Mobility Forum (AEMOB) has opened in Doha, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers and technology experts to examine what it will take to move autonomous and electric mobility from ambition to practical deployment.

Hosted by Qatar’s Ministry of Transport, the two-day forum comes as the country builds on its investments in transport infrastructure, electrification and intelligent transport systems, while confronting the regulatory, technological and safety questions shaping the next phase of mobility.

With more than 70 regional and international speakers and discussions spanning autonomous mobility, electric transportation, infrastructure, regulation, sustainability and real-world deployment, AEMOB 2026 places collaboration at the centre of the mobility transition.

As Doha convenes this growing international conversation, the forum provides a window into how Qatar and the wider region are approaching the shift towards a more connected, electrified and increasingly autonomous mobility ecosystem.

If Karachi is one example of how the electric-mobility transition is being actively discussed and developed elsewhere, Doha offers a different dimension of the same global transformation.

The second Autonomous e-Mobility Forum, or AEMOB, will be held at the Qatar National Convention Centre from September 7 to 8, followed by an ecosystem tour on September 9. With Qatar's Ministry of Transport serving as Host and Strategic Partner, the forum will bring together policymakers, technology companies, researchers and mobility specialists for discussions spanning electric and autonomous transport.

This combination also reflects AEMOB's emphasis on innovation diplomacy, bringing together governments, technology companies, researchers and mobility specialists to explore how emerging technologies can translate into practical solutions and international cooperation.

Qatar is further advancing at the forefront of the global driverless mobility transformation as Doha prepares to host the second Autonomous e-Mobility Forum (AEMOB) on September 7–8.

Bringing together international and regional leaders from across mobility relevant sectors, the Forum comes at a time when Qatar has been moving from ambitious visions for smart and sustainable transport toward real-world testing and deployment.

The country’s rapid electrification of public transport, growing community interest in autonomous electric vehicles and investment in smart infrastructure are creating an important testbed for emerging intelligent mobility technologies. Beyond that, the development also raises questions around regulation, digital connectivity, data security, safety, and how autonomous and electric systems can be integrated into the fabric of cities and communities worldwide.

Against this backdrop, the AEMOB Forum provides an important platform for examining the technologies and policy choices that will shape the next generation of transportation. The Forum is also an opportunity to showcase forward facing mobility ambitions, engage with global industry leaders and reinforce Doha’s emerging role as a regional hub for innovation in driverless and electric mobility.

Beyond technology, autonomous mobility could increasingly form part of Qatar’s broader soft power portfolio. The push into driverless and electric transport reinforces its image as a forward-looking, innovation-driven nation, attracting partners, talent and investment beyond just hydrocarbons.

By hosting events like the Autonomous e-Mobility Forum, Qatar solidifies its position at the center of global sustainable mobility conversations, fostering positive ties and knowledge-exchange amongst policymakers, innovators, and technology firms from otherwise quite possibly competing nations.

Comparable to other regional initiatives such as the UAE’s Mars mission or Dubai’s smart-city branding, leadership in autonomous e-mobility could become a pillar of Doha’s innovation diplomacy. Just as global sporting events amplified Qatar’s visibility, mobility innovation offers a quieter, yet potentially more durable, area of impact.

Doha, Qatar: Minister of Transport HE Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti inaugurated the Autonomous e-Mobility Forum on Tuesday, hosted by the Ministry of Transport at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) for two days.

The opening ceremony was attended by a number of Their Excellencies Ministers, high-profile state officials, and chairpersons of entities working in the transportation industry.

In his opening speech, HE Minister of Transport stressed that Qatar, under the wise leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, will continue developing a coherent, sustainable, integrated, and eco-friendly transportation system in a fashion that enhances the country’s leading position on the world map of green and smart transportation, in addition to sharing its expertise in the field with the rest of the world through its real-life experiences of hosting major continental and international events, where transportation is a key success factor.

Earlier this year, H E Lothar Freischlader, Germany’s Ambassador to the State of Qatar and Thomas Triller, Deputy Head of Mission responsible for economic affairs, met for a talk with representatives of the Autonomous e-Mobility Forum’s Executive Committee. Providing the perspective of a leading technology exporter and traditional automotive nation, the diplomats shared their observations and views on Qatar’s trajectory as a hub for dialogue, Qatari-German relations, global collaboration for a common good, and the potentials of autonomous e-mobility going forward. The German embassy indeed is the first diplomatic representation in Doha to utilize an electric vehicle as a staff car.

As we approach the upcoming Autonomous e-Mobility Forum in Qatar, it’s timely to assess our current status in smart mobility and the hurdles that await us.

The connected, autonomous, shared, and electric vehicles (CASE) mobility framework has been our guidepost for over a decade, providing insights into the most significant opportunities and predicting developments within these domains. With the Autonomous e-Mobility Forum on the horizon, what is our progress report, and what challenges remain unresolved in these critical areas of mobility?