The Qatar National Library (QNL) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (Unitar) convened an expert panel of global delegates recently in a virtual forum examining the vital role of national libraries in the developing world.
The forum, entitled Cultural Diplomacy: The Role of National Libraries in Developing Nations, brought together government leaders, foreign ministers, high commissioners and independent policy advisers to discuss the importance of national libraries and cultural diplomacy across the world.
The forum was convened by HE the Minister of State and QNL president Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, who began by expressing deep sympathies regarding the recent explosion in Beirut – a city he called “a truly distinguished capital of culture not only in the Middle East, but across the whole world.” 
“Lebanon’s intellectual freedom made it a refuge from the harshest conditions for every oppressed writer, thinker, novelist and creative artist. Doha, under its slogan ‘Arab culture is a homeland, and Doha is its capital,’ shares Beirut’s grief and affirms its confidence in the continuing cultural status of Beirut,” al-Kuwari said.
He spoke about cultural diplomacy, stating that it “has long been complementary to, and supportive of, traditional diplomacy through the mutual representation of countries and the role of embassies. Transcending official channels, cultural diplomacy is manifested in many forms throughout human history. Let’s take advantage of our time of advanced technology. Through such online meetings, we bring libraries closer together than ever before and enhance our co-operation.” 
“Our Children’s and Young Adults’ Library is one of the most active areas in the library, with a rich collection of books and materials along with a busy programme of activities and workshops. Those with visual impairments have their own rights to access knowledge, and we have a dedicated area in our Library to meet their needs, and we provide them with accessible equipment and books. Our library’s mission and vision are to be a hub of knowledge, research and science for the community, the region and the world. Co-operating together, we can achieve this,” he added.
The forum was moderated by Rabih El-Haddad, director of the Unitar division for multilateral diplomacy. 
“Cultural diplomacy is the foundation of knowledge sharing, embracing cultural relations and building bridges across nations towards achieving cosmopolitan peace,” he said.
Other speakers at the online forum included Félix Ulloa, vice president of El Salvador;  Simon Anholt, an independent policy adviser and expert on nation branding; Dr Amina Mohamed, minister of sports, heritage and culture of Kenya; Mamadou Tangara, minister of foreign affairs of Gambia; Bocchit Edmond, adviser to the president of Haiti;  Ramonjavelo Manambahoaka Valery Fitzgerald, secretary general of the Presidency of Madagascar; Ali Said Faqi, Office of the President of Somalia, Somali ambassador to Benelux and the European Union and Peter David, foreign minister of Grenada, who spoke about the national library project on the island. 
Harold Tavares, chief of staff to the Prime Minister of Cabo Verde; Moses Mose, Solomon Islands ambassador to the EU; Dr Simon J Rofe, reader in Diplomatic and International Studies in the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy at SOAS University of London and Humberto Gabriel López La Bella, director general of cultural diversity, Rights and Processes, Ministry of Culture in Paraguay were also among the participants.
The forum received a number of recommendations to boost co-operation and enhance interaction between libraries across the world.
These include harnessing technology to enhance the digitisation of libraries, enhancing communication and interaction between libraries as part of cultural diplomacy to spread science and knowledge, and boost intercultural interaction to improve security, stability and international understanding, and using co-operation between national libraries as a means to enhance cultural and educational relations between countries.
Some of the participants also suggested exchanging information between national libraries to achieve better partnerships in ways that create constructive interaction between cultures, and adopting a more active role by national libraries for the protection and repatriation of cultural heritage, as well as exchanging information in this area.