The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, opened today, Saturday, the "Doha Forum 2019", which is organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is held under the slogan "Governance in a Multipolar World" and hosted by the capital, Doha, for two days.
The opening ceremony was attended by heads of state, heads of government, ministers, ambassadors, and current and former officials, in addition to a selection of decision makers and thinkers in the field of politics, economics, energy, media, culture, and a number of representatives of international institutions and civil society organizations.
In his speech at the opening, the Emir of Qatar said that the glitches that caused many people to lose confidence in the existing international mechanisms, including double standards, must be sought.
And he considered that the common international vision that was clear at the beginning of the millennium was confused in several fields "whether in terms of international legitimacy and issues of poverty, environment and climate, or with regard to holding war criminals accountable."
Sheikh Tamim added - in his speech - that violent extremism is not limited to religion or race, nor does it differentiate in targeting innocent people based on gender, race, or religion.
He also said, "We have taken it upon ourselves in Qatar to contribute to the peaceful settlement of disputes around the world through mediation and to provide a space for dialogue."
He continued, "We must all celebrate human welfare and achievements wherever they are found. For this purpose in particular, I am pleased today to start a new tradition in honoring a global personality in this forum."
At the end of his speech at the Doha Forum, the prince announced the selection of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad as the Person of the Year, noting that he is "an example to be emulated in good governance."
For two days, the forum will discuss various global issues in an effort to find common grounds for solutions to the challenges the world is witnessing. Among the most prominent issues discussed by the crises in Syria, Yemen, Libya, Gulf security, confronting extremism and militancy in fragile states.