DOHA: The third and final day of the 2024 Global Security Forum in Doha heard a rallying call for global partnerships to secure world peace from the Maldives’ minister of homeland security and technology.
Delivering high-level remarks at the forum, which ran under the theme ‘Strategic Competition: The Complexity of Interdependence,’ HE Ali Ihusaan underscored the profound impact of terrorism on societies and economies, highlighted the universal threat of cybercrime, stressed the importance of education, awareness, and cybersecurity measures in safeguarding citizens and institutions and emphasized the significance of international partnerships in addressing global challenges.
He said: "As we confront the daunting challenges of the 21st century, let us reaffirm our commitment to global partnerships for world peace. Let us eradicate divisions, bridge differences, and work together in pursuit of a shared vision of a world where peace, justice and prosperity prevail for all.”
Minister Ali Ihusaan also expressed solidarity with innocent civilians affected by conflict, particularly in Gaza, emphasizing the Maldives' commitment to peace and justice, its resilience in the face of threats and highlighting its robust counter-terrorism measures and international cooperation efforts. The minister also lauded Qatar’s dedication to promoting peace and stability worldwide.
The final day of the 2024 forum, which was organised by the Qatar International Academy for Security Studies (QIASS) and The Soufan Center, also saw USAmbassador to the State of Qatar HE Timmy Davis, proffer insights into resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict. In a fireside chat, Ambassador Davis emphasized the importance of Qatar's diplomatic engagement with Hamas and advocated for a two-state solution.
He added, "I do think we have learned the lesson that ultimately for parties to live with any resolution to their conflict, it has to be theirs. Often people think the United States is problematic in the world, and we have made decisions that we have had to live with and that we've had to fix; … it is also true that if there's going to be a solution, the United States must be a part of it.”
Later in a compelling address on the current global security landscape, Ambassador Robert C O'Brien, former US National Security Advisor, highlighted tensions in Europe, the South China Sea, and the Taiwan Straits and underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive approach towards achieving peace in the Middle East.
Discussions continued with a focus on interdependency in a multipolar world, with Ambassador Bilahari Kausikan, a former Ambassador-at-Large in Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasizing the inherent competition in international relations and the importance of strategic partnerships.
He stated: "Competition among sovereign states, whether big or small, I think is an inherent condition of international relations. And of course, competition, unfortunately, sometimes becomes conflict.”
The geopolitical implications of the Gaza conflict were also explored, with Dr Ilan Pappe, Director of the European Centre for Palestine Studies at the University of Exeter, calling for global cooperation to address the humanitarian crisis and advocate for human rights in the region.
He warned: "The next few years are going to be very tough. The kind of Israel that develops since November 2022, especially after the 7th of October, is a menace to the Palestinians and to the area. And there should be a global coalition that can stop it and tame it, because otherwise, we will see one cycle of bloodshed after the other, and we are always at the risk of having a global, or a regional war.”
However, the President of Al Sharq Forum Wadah Khanfar emphasized the necessity of understanding the region’s intricate dynamics when addressing its future.
He said: "Forecasting the future of this region requires background knowledge, depth of understanding, and patience to unravel its complexity. Conferences and conversations of this nature are indispensable in gaining a deeper comprehension of regional dynamics. Patience is key in delving into the nuances of the situation."
Armen Grigoryan, Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, later outlined his nation’s efforts in promoting regional stability through economic interdependence, emphasizing the importance of peace agreements and economic growth.
Later, during a fireside chat, Brigadier Mubarak Sherida Al Kaabi, Commander of the Qatar International Search and Rescue Group, emphasized the importance of international collaboration in disaster response.
He stated: "With more than 15 years of experience working with search and rescue groups in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, our search and rescue groups have gained valuable experience and are able to transfer information to others at the international level. Our goal is to share expertise and knowledge with countries that can benefit from our experience and assistance."
Final Forum features also included panels on Energy Security and Economic Interdependence in an Era of Global Competition, the Security Implications of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, and Threats to Human Security in the Global South.
The 2024 Global Security Forum was committed to fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration, underscoring the dedication of global leaders to tackle shared security challenges and promote peace and stability worldwide.