Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed said that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani's opening of the Doha Forum 2019 promotes enthusiasm for more in-depth discussions in the presence of a number of world leaders, officials, experts, researchers and academics, to reach visions on the current global challenges and improve the standard of living for the world's population, expressing his gratitude to Qatar for the warm welcome during his current visit.



His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani greets Dr. Mahathir Mohamad

Addressing the opening session of the forum, the Malaysian prime minister said that the topics addressed by the Doha Forum affirm that Qatar is on the right track in identifying the current developments in the world, adding that the forum presents a great opportunity for experts from around the world to exchange experiences and information about the best solutions to the current challenges.

He noted that the world today is largely intertwined and no country can live in isolation from the other, noting that the forum's slogan this year 'Reimagining Governance in a Multipolar World' indicates the need for world countries to work jointly away from unilateralism and isolationism.

He stressed that this this multiplicity stimulates innovation and co-operation in various fields.

He said that countries that believe in control create nothing but sensitivity and tension, and today's multipolar world needs partnership and co-operation, noting that the world is facing increasing concern about the sustainability of economic growth in light of the current economic, social and political challenges, which require a global partnership to address them.

He referred to the experience of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in co-operation and partnership to achieve peace, stability and prosperity in the region for 52 years despite the social, economic and political multiplicity, saying that his country, a member of this association, continues to consolidate regional integration as a priority in its foreign policy.

The Malaysian prime minister expressed rejection for imposing sanctions in order to compel states and force them to accept some ideologies and changes, saying that the countries targeted by the sanctions do not suffer alone, but also their commercial and economic partners, and that no international law allows for the imposition of unilateral sanctions which are unfair and a form of dictatorship.

In this context, he underlined that his country does not support the re-imposition of unilateral sanctions against Iran, saying that these measures violate the Charter of the United Nations and international laws.

He called on the UN General Assembly to work towards defining a law to control such sanctions.

The prime minister warned against trade wars, saying that these wars support the strong side and do not respect human values and rights, and their implications are greater for the poor and destitute around the world.

He called for resolving trade conflicts through negotiations and dialogue, or through resorting to the courts agreed upon by the countries concerned, and for trade negotiations to restore balance to the world.

Dr Mohamed also touched on the challenges of climate change, and his experience as the prime minister and the changes he has led in Malaysia and the plans of his government to achieve more economic recovery and meet related challenges.


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