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In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful

May peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you.

At the outset, I would like to express my condolences to the brotherly people of Iran for the passing of the President of the Republic, my colleague the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and their accompanying delegation, following yesterday’s accident. May Allah the Almighty grant them forgiveness.

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I would like to  welcome you all to the sixth edition of the Global Security Forum,  under the theme “Strategic Competition: The Complexity of Interdependence.”

We meet again in Doha to discuss the security challenges facing the world, and to objectively consider elements of the global security reality, the risks posed and ways to neutralize them, and the opportunities that we can seize.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In our world, which has witnessed major transformations in the past few years, we see crises and conflicts reoccurring and threatening global peace and security in unprecedented ways. These crises include:

• wars and military conflicts,
• cyberattacks and the expansion of espionage and digital hacking,
• environmental disasters, humanitarian crises, and waves of mass migration.

  Geopolitical tensions have escalated between various powers around the world, leading to the return of the threat of nuclear      proliferation and new wars with unconventional weapons. All of these are challenges with catastrophic consequences that transcend national and regional borders, and even go beyond battlefields to cyberspace.

  With the emergence of multiple and competing centers of influence, new conflicts and unconventional wars between      major powers put the international system in real danger, those include, but are not limited to:

  • The war in Ukraine, which has shaken global energy markets and caused a widespread decline in food security,
  • The crisis in Africa, the effects of which are evident in Sudan and its surroundings,
  • Political polarization in the Americas,
  • The escalation between the United States and China, with its implications for global supply chains and international trade.

    On top of it all, our region is now facing many security concerns with the spillover of regional conflicts – civil and intraregional           – and living under continuous and increasing escalation that threatens the security of the region and the world.

     

    The war that is currently taking place in the Gaza Strip has claimed and continues to claim thousands of lives, and the scale of the humanitarian tragedy there is exacerbated every day.      This requires intensifying international efforts, whether it is           ending the conflict or ensuring the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

     

    History has shown us that the cost and consequences of any occupation are always greater than any expected return for the occupier. The policies of occupation, forced displacement,and collective punishment have never brought an end to any conflict, but rather have fueled the continuation and expansion of violence.

     

    Distinguished guests,

     

    Any conflict that is intensifying is exacerbated by the accumulated humanitarian consequences, foremost of which are waves of refugees, illegal migration driven by poverty resulting from state failure, the collapse of political structures, and extremism reinforced by despair and loss of hope for a better future.

    Any humanitarian disaster has its impact on global supply chains, as has been the case in the Russia-Ukraine war, and what we are currently witnessing in the Red Sea as a result of the war in the Occupied Palestinian territories and the Gaza Strip.

     

    Indeed, today we are witnessing the expansion of this war to other areas in the region, where the confrontationshave extended to the Red Sea and have included direct confrontations between Iran and Israel, with the escalating risk of confrontations on the southern border in Lebanon. Not to mention the consequences of this dangerous escalation on reinforcing the narrative of extremism that is gnawing at many countries in the region.

     

    Distinguished guests,

    Amid this gloomy picture of the regional and global situation, the State of Qatar has made every effort  to contribute to its vital role in promoting global peace and security through mediation efforts, conflict resolution, reviving the global economy, and rebuilding what has been destroyed by wars and epidemics.

     

    In a world beset by crises, joint action is needed now more than ever. In this context, our foreign policy is based on the principle of cooperation in the face of common challenges, and      enhancing international cooperation and multilateral action is      considered an  integral part of our foreign policy.

     

    Our development and humanitarian efforts have also extended to the countries that are most in need by providing assistance to build resilience and strengthen the institutional capacities of countries in various sectors.

     

    In order to strengthen global peace and security, mediation and conflict resolution efforts have become one of the main pillars of our foreign policy. Thanks to this approach, the State of Qatar has been able to reach several truces and agreements that would mitigate conflicts and find peaceful solutions to them.

     

    These efforts have not been limited to our region, but have also      extended to include mediation between Russia and Ukraine to reunite children affected by the war with their families, and      mediation between Venezuela and the United States of America, and other mediations that are currently taking place,at the same time that we continue mediation efforts between Israel and the Hamasmovement.

     

    Our commitment in Qatar to work to prevent the collapse of peace, security and stability in the region, and to employ diplomacy to resolve disputes by peaceful means is not just a political commitmentbut a moral obligation, stemming from our collective responsibility to advance the most vulnerable people and to spread global security and stability.

     

    Distinguished attendees,

    It is important that we meet in this forum and other spaces of dialogue to seek creative solutions to the problems of our world,      but It is most important that we agree on ethical solutions that reflect our humanity and our belief in the principles that we have agreed upon in the international community.

     

    Solutions that apply the same principles to all of uswithout discrimination, in the belief that human beings are all the same, and that alleviating their suffering should not be subject to political considerations or prioritization based on race or national affiliation.

     

    The large number of crises and challenges that are plaguing us - most of them are of our own making, is frustrating and painful. Yet, in Qatar, we have learned that it is always darkest before dawn. We are all confident in the ability of our people to overcome the challenges facing us, and we believe that good intentions, conscience, and human will shall win. 

    I wish you fruitful discussions over the next two days.

    Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you