Doha Forum returns at a time when the world is witnessing another crisis in the form of Israel’s war on Gaza in which around 18,000 Palestinians mostly innocent children and women have been killed. The participants of the Doha Forum expressed shock over continued violation by Israel of all international laws and human rights principles.
Day one of the two-day conference saw over 3,500 participants from over 140 countries in attendance, with high-level speakers including an array of top diplomats, experts, and changemakers. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, in his opening speech at the forum, said the catastrophe in Gaza has shown the wide gap between the East and the West.
“This crisis has clearly demonstrated the gap between successive generations and the double standards adopted by the international community, which have divided the world between those demanding an end to this war and to stop the killing machine, and those who are reluctant to even call for a ceasefire,” he added.
“And we see those who were calling for a global stance against occupation in another context, refuse to even condemn the crimes of the occupation in the Palestinian territories today, and stand as an obstacle to achieving international consensus to stop the conflict,” he pointed.
António Guterres: Secretary General, United Nations remarked on the struggles his organization is facing in ending crises around the world, including that in Gaza. “The preeminent forum for the peaceful resolution of international disputes is paralyzed by geostrategic divisions. This fact is undermining solutions from Ukraine to Myanmar to the Middle East.” The session “The Imperative of Palestinian Political Renewal,” held in partnership with Georgetown University Qatar, spotlighted the urgent need for reevaluation and restructuring in the aftermath of the Gaza crisis.
The session “Education for Her, Progress for All: Reconstruction of Education for Women in Afghanistan”, sponsored by the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, underscored the historical significance of education as a source of hope for future generations, acknowledging its profound impact on nations throughout history.
The opening ceremony of the forum also witnessed H H the Amir honour UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) with the Doha Forum Award, in recognition of the organisation’s remarkable contributions to stability and hope in the lives of Palestine refugees. The UNRWA has been supporting Palestine refugees through aid, schools and shelters for 75 years, with now 700 dedicated schools operating across the Middle East. Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini received the award on behalf of UNRWA.
