Javier Colomina, NATO’s first Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood, outlined the Alliance’s strategic priorities under the Southern Neighbourhood Action Plan, adopted earlier this year at the NATO Summit in Washington.
He emphasised the interconnected nature of global security and the need for robust collaboration with Gulf partners, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
"Now, more than ever, we understand that security is global,” Colomina said. "The Gulf, the Middle East and North Africa, and the Atlantic area share many concerns, including terrorism, hybrid threats, and disruptive technologies. Therefore, we see numerous opportunities for cooperation on issues of mutual interest.”
Colomina highlighted NATO’s strengthened presence in the Gulf region through its Regional Center in Kuwait, which has played a key role in capacity building and training for GCC states since 2017.
He also announced plans to establish NATO’s first liaison office in Jordan to deepen engagement with regional partners.
Colomina praised Qatar for its proactive contributions to NATO initiatives, citing the certification of Qatar’s Air Force 101 Squadron as fully NATO-interoperable on December 1—the first such achievement in the region. Qatar also hosted the Venice Air Force Symposium, further cementing its role as a strategic partner.
"Every one of our ICI partners has tailored its cooperation with NATO to align with national priorities,” he said. "Qatar has consistently demonstrated its leadership, particularly in advancing military interoperability and fostering dialogue on security challenges.”
The meeting concluded with a call for collective action to address shared global challenges.
Both Al Misnad and Colomina stressed the need for holistic approaches that go beyond military solutions to include societal awareness, sustainable development, and the protection of human rights.
As the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative celebrates its 20th anniversary, Qatar’s leadership and NATO’s commitment to the region reaffirm the enduring value of partnership in achieving peace and security for all.