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The 5th Global Security Forum convenes in Qatar, a safe haven amid global turmoil
The 5th Global Security Forum in Doha took place earlier this month, gathering high-level political, academic, and diplomatic figures to discuss security issues. At a time of heightened development and economic crises and global tensions, the powers-that-be convened in Qatar.
Qatar is the world’s safest country according to the Numbeo Crime Index by Country 2023 having topped the index in the last five years after regaining the number one spot from Japan in 2019. Now one of the most mature nations in cyber security preparedness worldwide, the hosting of the Global Security Forum in Doha since 2018 is a testament to Qatar’s leading role in security on all levels, be it nationally, regionally, or internationally.
Under the theme: “Reshaping the Global Order: Conflict, Crises, and Cooperation”, the 2023 Global Security Forum (GSF) was inaugurated by His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. Newly appointed as Prime Minister as well as simultaneously being reappointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohamed navigated the Gulf nation through its most testing times, namely the 43-month long blockade.
In his opening statement, Sheikh Mohamed addressed the world’s regional and global security challenges, from major global conflicts to food insecurity, and the energy crisis, calling for collaborative global efforts towards sustainable solutions, sharing Qatar’s approach towards economic and food stability that proved effective.
When His Excellency also called for a sustainable framework for peace and stability in the Middle East, he stressed the “importance of adhering to the basic global consensus principles of justice, equality, solidarity, and the absolute rejection of double standards”.
GSF’s panel discussions and keynote speakers also included President Kagame of Rwanda, Moussa Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission; Ambassador Carstens, US Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs; Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security of Singapore; as well as academics such as Carolyn Kissane, Assistant Dean of New York University; mayors such as that of Tunis, Soad Abdherrahim and Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy of the State of Qatar, the organiser of the 2022 World Cup.
The speakers covered the war in Ukraine, the various conflicts in Africa, developments in Afghanistan and Iraq, far-right and extremists’ networks and the evolution of global terrorism and their financing, and the emerging threats such as online threats to global security such as disinformation and fake news.
