H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani: Regional Alliances Are Still Valid but Need to be Reshaped

Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister stresses super powers are not only contributors to global order at 18th Edition of Doha Forum

15 December 2018

DOHA, QATAR – H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in the 18thedition of Doha Forum in the opening plenary session, The Global Order Revisited: Old Actors, New Alliances, with H.E. Hassan Ali Khaire, Prime Minister of Somalia, H.E. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Teodor-Viorel Meleşcanu, Foreign Minister of Romania, and H.E. Wolfgang Ischinger Chairman, Munich Security Conference, who moderated the panel.

Discussing Qatar’s foreign policy and commitment to dialogue, His Excellency discussed the role of superpowers and the changing dynamics of regional and international alliances. He commented, “We believe that the global order is being revisited, but this isn’t new to us. The world experiences this cycle every few decades. However, technology, connectivity and communication have shortened the cycle of change. This is a main contributor to the change in the global order and how countries view shaping their alliances.”

“Regional alliances are still valid and important because we share common concerns and interests [with our neighbours]. But, these alliances need to be revisited not just by big countries and superpowers, but also by member states in the UN and as part of the region,” he added.

His Excellency also touched on the Gulf dispute, stressing dialogue as a crucial tool to resolving this crisis. He continued, “We are a firm believer that a dialogue with blockading countries based on mutual respect will end the crisis that exists in the region. The regional alliance has been undermined by the crisis. Therefore the alliance that existed needs to be reshaped and redesigned to ensure future stability and security of the region,” he added.

H.E. Teodor-Viorel Meleşcanu, Foreign Minister of Romania, remarked, “We firmly believe in the power of dialogue. We want to organize a dialogue between GCC nations to resolve the issue that exists in the region. We see the GCC as a pillar of security that exists in the Arab World.”

“The resolution of the GCC crisis must come through political negotiations, but I have to add that it has to respect the principles and rules of international law, but also equality,” he added.

The panel discussed the dawn of a new world order, both examining the state of regional cooperation and stability as well as the formation of new and unconventional alliances under the overarching theme “Shaping Policy in an Interconnected World.” Panel members explored how countries can change the way they are perceived globally, and in doing so carve out a new future, as in the case of Somalia.

H.E Hassan Ali Khaire stated: “The challenge we are facing in the new interconnected world is how to change the old narrative and showcase Somalia’s real potential.”

H.E. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the United Nations General Assembly, stated: “The United Nations is the world’s umbrella. It is the parliament of humanity. It is the norm setter for policy making.”

The two-day annual policy gathering brings together ministers, heads of state, business leaders and advocates to discuss “Shaping Policy in an Interconnected World.” Held annually against the backdrop of Qatar’s visionary development and history of global mediation, the 18th edition of the Forum tackles key topics across four themes: Security, Economic Development, Peace and Mediation, and Trends and Transitions.