HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani has affirmed that the Doha Forum has become a global platform for deep constructive dialogue, thanks to the patronage and the continuous support of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the Minister welcomed the participants to the 17th edition of the Forum, which will be held on May 14 and 15, noting that the size and level of participation reflect the distinguished position enjoyed by the Forum regionally and internationally, as well as its role in analysing the reality of the region and the world and its contribution to addressing pressing issues.
The Foreign Minister said that the foreign policy of Qatar adopts the principle of dialogue in resolving issues, conflicts and crises, adding that the commitment of the State to organising this forum for the 17th year in a row is consistent with its orientation in support of the global dialogue for peace, stability and development.
HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said that the participation of leaders, politicians, specialists, intellectuals and civil society organisations in this session of the forum is an ideal opportunity to discuss major changes in the global political scene, challenges of economic development, investment, political and economic roles and human rights in addition to legal and humanitarian dimensions in tackling refugees’ issues.
He pointed out that the title of this edition of the Forum -  “Development, Stability and Refugee Issues” - reflects the great attention attached to pressing issues, adding that armed conflicts, terrorism, extremism, poverty and unemployment currently being witnessed by the region and the world require thorough discussions to address their root causes.
The Doha Forum, organised annually by the Permanent Committee for Organising Conferences at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is one of the most prominent international forums in the field of the current international affairs, which has gained great importance and attention through its previous sessions, since its inception, as a basis for political and social security, in particular human development.
The 17th session of the forum discusses development and stability issues at the regional and international levels, focusing on the refugee issue.
The opening session of the forum will address the topic of international co-operation and the importance of political and economic stability.
The forum will feature four main themes, respectively: the changes in the global political scene, the challenges of economic development and investment in the global changes including oil and energy issues, the political and economic role in refugee issues, and the legal, human and rights dimension in dealing with refugee issues.
The first theme will discuss a number of issues under important subtitles, including the developments of the Gulf-Iranian relationship, in addition to another topic entitled “America, the European Union, Russia and a new political stage in the Middle East,” in which context the new American policy and its impact on world peace, the Russian military presence in the Middle East and its implications, and the decline of the role of the Security Council in resolving international disputes will be discussed.
It will also discuss the political situation in the Far East and the Indian Subcontinent”.
The second major theme, titled “The Challenges of Economic Development and Investment in the Global Change Stage”, will address the global economic situation, oil and renewable energy, and discuss the new prices of oil and the economies of the region and Opec’s ability in maintaining the stability of oil prices, and the strategies to deal with energy alternatives and their impact on regional and international movements, as well as new energy policy and economic changes, the Asian economy, besides the future of new energy, alternative energy patterns and their impact on the economy.
It will also feature the future of international trade agreements and investment as well as the challenges facing the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and protective measures as the most important obstacle to the growth of the global economy, investment opportunities and transfer of technology, free trade agreements, the world economy, international development and investment opportunities.
It will also discuss the global economic downturn and the ways to build a strong global economy, where participants will discuss the international economic system, and its impact on sustainable development, the assessment of global economic performance, the outlook for the future as well as the developmental role of women and youth, civil society and the private sector and its role in promoting economic development, labour market policies and associated challenges.
The third theme of the 17th session of the Doha Forum focuses on ‘Political and Economic Aspects in Refugee Crisis’, where participants will discuss refugee issues and states’ policies; disparity of international reactions to wars and refugee issues; varying modes of reception for of refugees in accordance with the objectives, policies and economic capabilities of hosting countries; unilateral deterrent actions to curb the increasing flow of refugees; the impact of refugee crisis on international relations; the division among the European Union on refugees; consequences of reluctance of some countries to receive refugees; and imposition of social isolation on refugees in some countries and failure to integrate them in local communities.
The fourth theme of the forum is ‘The Legal and Humane Dimension of dealing with the Refugee Crisis’. Under this theme, participants will address the role of the international community and human rights organisations in dealing with the refugee crisis.
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