Doha Forum 2025 kicks off in Qatar’s capital
The 23rd edition of the Doha Forum commenced on Saturday in the Qatari capital, focusing on the theme “Justice in Action: Beyond Promises to Progres...
The 23rd edition of the Doha Forum commenced on Saturday in the Qatari capital, focusing on the theme “Justice in Action: Beyond Promises to Progress.”
The two-day event brings together world leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss pressing international issues, from conflicts and humanitarian crises to technology and global governance.
Qatari Prime Minister highlights global justice crisis
Speaking at the opening session, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani warned of “serious setbacks” in justice, the rule of law, and accountability worldwide. Sheikh Mohammed, who also serves as foreign minister, said weakened legal systems have exacerbated global crises and described today’s conflicts and humanitarian emergencies as stemming from a “culture of impunity,” creating an “unprecedented cycle of crises.”
He stressed that mediation is central to Qatar’s foreign policy, describing it as “not a political luxury but a deep-rooted and consistent method.” Sheikh Mohammed called for the restoration of trust in the international legal order, emphasising the need for a fairer global system, and noted that regional challenges are closely linked to a broader decline in respect for international norms.
High-profile attendees and key sessions
The 2025 forum programme, developed in collaboration with global think tanks and research institutions, includes sessions such as “The Gaza Reckoning: Reassessing Global Responsibilities and Pathways to Peace,” “Gulf–EU Relations in the Age of Strategic Isolation,” “AI as a Double-Edged Sword: Strategies for Responsible Use in the Military Domain,” and “US–China Relations: Navigating the Risks and Opportunities of a Changing Global Order.”
Notable participants include Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, World Economic Forum President and CEO Borge Brende, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates.
Building on past success
The previous edition of the forum, held in December 2024 under the theme “The Innovation Imperative,” drew more than 5,000 attendees, including over 350 speakers, underscoring Doha’s growing role as a hub for dialogue on global challenges.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., has finalized the group stage for the tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, setting the schedule and matchups for next summer’s expanded 48-team event.
Israel was cleared on Thursday to participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, a decision made by the organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which sparked a major controversy.
Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy fire along their shared border late on Friday, a reminder of how sensitive the frontier remains despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for its support of the claims by United Arab Emirates on three Iranian islands.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping accompanied French President Emmanuel Macron to Chengdu on Friday, a rare gesture seemingly reserved for the head of Europe's second-largest economy that highlights Beijing's focus on Paris in its ties with the European Union.
A railway hub near Kyiv was struck during a large-scale Russian drone and missile assault, damaging the depot and railway carriages, the Ukrainian state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia reported on Saturday.
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Flood survivors in Indonesia’s Aceh Tamiang district say they had to live off looted shop goods for days, accusing authorities of a slow aid response more than a week after deadly floods and landslides tore through their communities.
Australia has moved to directly pressure the Taliban leadership, imposing financial sanctions and travel bans on four senior officials it says are responsible for the steady erosion of women’s rights in Afghanistan.
The U.S. State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of M1085A2 and M1078A2 Medium Tactical Vehicles (MTVs) and related equipment to Lebanon, with the total cost estimated at $90.5 million, the Pentagon’s Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said Friday.
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