The first plenary session of the 17th Doha Forum, held under the theme "The Changing Global Political Landscape", has discussed a number of issues affecting the international arena, the most important of which is the refugee crisis.
At the beginning of the session, Vice-President of the European Parliament Ryszard Kazzynski said that the world is currently witnessing exceptional moments, which may represent a major turning point due to the situation of refugees around the world.
He called on the international community as a whole to contribute to resolving the refugee crisis. If the refugees crisis is not resolved, it will lead to major changes that will affect the whole world, he said. 
Europe has played a vital role in the world, but has now given it up to the United States, he stressed, urging rich countries, in particular, to participate more actively in resolving the refugee issue.
For his part, British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Minister for the Middle East and Africa Tobias Elwood said that the exchange and trade interdependence between countries at the present time represent an exceptional global phenomenon.
The changes taking place in the world are occurring at a rapid pace, he said, pointing out that the bodies and organisations responsible for decision-making are working slowly and unable to keep up with changes.
Brexit must not mean isolation of Britain from the rest of the international community or end its role in solving the crisis, he said, stressing his country's commitment to its role in the international arena.
Elwood called on the international community to focus on countering extremism and terrorism, adding that it was important to focus on post-crisis and support local communities.
With regard to the United Nations, the British official stressed that it was important to undertake reforms within the international organisation so that it could play its role effectively. 
In this context, Stephen O' Brien, the Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator at the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) thanked the government and people of Qatar for organising this important forum.
He also praised Qatar's ongoing efforts to support the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) with additional funding and humanitarian assistance, which reinforces the role and status of Qatar as a leader in global relief efforts.
The world needs more humanitarian assistance to support nearly 100mn people in need of aid and rescue around the world, he said, adding that a large number of refugees are fleeing wars and armed conflicts in their countries and are now in desperate need of help and support.
For his part, General Co-ordinator of the Supreme Negotiations Body of the Revolutionary Forces and the Syrian Opposition Dr Riyad Farid Hijab thanked the leadership and people of Qatar for the continuous support to the Syrian people in their current plight.
The current conflict in the Arab region stems from three projects aimed at dividing the region, which are: the Iranian expansion, which is based on two pillars: sectarian tension and support of sectarian militias; religious extremism and re-dividing the region, Dr Hijab stressed.
Dr Hijab said that Syria needs a political solution to end the deteriorating humanitarian situation, urging the international community and the new American administration to take a firm stand against the Russian and Chinese veto, which hinders every UN resolution aimed at helping the Syrian people.
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