DID Press: Qatar’s PM and FM, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, emphasized at the annual Doha Forum that the participation of Taliban representatives in the event should not be interpreted as political support from Doha. Rather, he said, the objective is to provide a neutral platform for dialogue and mediation, citing the lessons learned from the 2020 Doha Agreement between the United States and the Taliban.
“Experience has shown that without open channels of communication, complex crises cannot be resolved,” Al-Thani said. “Qatar’s role is to provide a space where parties can engage constructively. This does not imply support for any side; our goal is to sustain dialogue and reach outcomes that end conflict and reduce human suffering.”
The Doha Forum, which began yesterday in the Qatari capital and will continue until December 8, brings together representatives from over 160 countries, including a delegation from the Taliban government. The forum’s theme this year is “Justice in Action: Delivering Progress.”
On the second day of the forum, discussions will focus on Afghanistan under the theme “Advancing Afghanistan Through Regional Connectivity.” Key speakers include Abdul Hai Qanit of the Taliban government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ismatullah Irgashev, Special Representative of the President of Uzbekistan; Eldar Arifov, Director of the Center for Strategic and Regional Studies of Uzbekistan; Waleed Zaid, professor at Georgetown University in Qatar; and Zahra Babar, Executive Director of the Center for International and Regional Studies at Georgetown University.
Other topics on the agenda include the war in Ukraine, developments in the Middle East, tensions between Israel and Iran, and issues affecting global trade.