*His Highness Sheikh Tamim opens Doha Forum 2018
*Exclusionary and totalitarian tendencies have recurred to overwhelm the world and usher in regimes that do not recognise the least of basic human rights: Amir
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani inaugurated on Saturday the 8th Doha Forum highlighting the importance of dialogue "in this difficult time" and "the inevitability of diversity".
Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno, Somalia Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khairi, President of the UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, and a number of ministers from different Arab and foreign countries attended the event at Grand Sheraton Doha.
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, HE the Shura Council Speaker Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, and a number of ministers and heads of diplomatic missions in Qatar also attended the opening session.
“Out of our belief in the importance of views, the necessity of dialogue and the inevitability of diversity, we have been keen to keep the dialogue forums and networking platforms active and open to exchange views in a free environment for all, irrespective of their intellectual affiliations and political perceptions, and this forum is a relevant epitome. Dialogue is what bridges the gap between adversaries, no matter how intense the differences are, it is the point of inception and the point of conclusion in this difficult time,” explained the Amir.
Speaking about the blockade against Qatar, the Amir said dialogue is the only way forward.
“This applies to the Gulf crisis, which is represented by the blockade on our country. Our position towards solving this crisis has remained unchanged; lifting the blockade and settling differences through dialogue based on mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. The issue of coexistence and good neighbourliness among nations is separate from any other issues,” said the Amir.
Sheikh Tamim recalled that His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani launched the Doha Forum in 2000 as a global dialogue platform when the United Nations heralded principles of a new era of international co-operation.
The Amir noted that exclusionary and totalitarian tendencies have recurred to overwhelm the world and usher in regimes that do not recognise the least of basic human rights.
“The gravity of these challenges has exacerbated due to the increasing political tensions engulfing the current world order with their negative impact on international co-operation, the selectivity in dealing with some issues and resorting sometimes to the use of force, as well as the growing racism in all its forms. In this context, repression, despotism, double standards that render the principles of justice devoid of its essence, in addition to the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms have become a threat to humanity or what can be described as human security,” the Amir said.
“Stability should not be based on repression and injustice, as true peace is based on justice, and not on occupation. Also the narrow concept of security poses a threat to security itself, because the lack of human security falls back to threaten the very security and stability in their narrow sense. And as economic development cannot be achieved in the long run without human development, it is essential to achieve security in all its economic, political, environmental and societal dimensions," the Amir said.
The Ecuadorean president stressed that the Doha Forum was a global platform to achieve the most ambitious goals in the modern world and to launch a serious and effective global dialogue among all people on the challenges ahead, which he said were increasing.
He noted that the world remains fragmented regarding the challenges it faces despite the ever-greater role that globalisation plays. He also stressed on the importance of dialogue to resolve differences and conflicts and remove fear among the people.
He said that cyberspace, the smartphone, and the Internet all helped enhance dialogue under shared goals and joint interests without marginalising any segment of society. He also stressed on the importance of technology in achieving those goals.
The UN General Assembly president praised the Doha Forum, its topics and important issues to be discussed, including security, peace, mediation, economic development, and policy-making trends in an interconnected world.
Maria Garces said next week will see a meeting in New York City to discuss the agreement related to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that the world celebrated on December 10. The UN General Assembly president pointed to the failure of the international community, including the United Nations and multilateral institutions to respect such covenants, and to the failure in finding solutions to challenges, inequality and migration and development crises. She also called for dialogue to resolve disputes and end conflicts.
