Doha Forum

The 23rd edition of Doha Forum, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, opened with a strong call for justice, accountability, and collective action amid an increasingly volatile global landscape.

The Forum brings together more than 6,000 participants from over 150 countries, including global leaders, policymakers, and international experts. Held under the theme “Justice in Action: Beyond Promises to Progress,” the 2025 edition addresses the world’s most pressing geopolitical, humanitarian, economic, and technological challenges. Participants include heads of state, ministers, policymakers, researchers, and thought leaders engaged in shaping concrete solutions to today’s global crises.

The Agenda: Diplomacy, Dialogue, Diversity

This year’s Doha Forum convenes world leaders and experts to address mediation in Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen, and Syria; global trade tensions; AI and security; health financing in the Global South; and cultural diplomacy, featuring heads of state, UN officials, and institutions shaping peace, governance, and economic resilience.

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Opening Session

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, emphasized the urgency of advancing fair, accountable, and inclusive global governance at a time of escalating conflict, rising humanitarian needs, and intensifying geopolitical divisions, saying, “This year’s forum is held under the theme “Justice in Action: Beyond Promises to Progress.” It reflects a reality we all observe: the widening gap between rhetoric and action, and the frequent absence of justice in the application of international law - especially in a world where interests take precedence over principles and force often replaces law.”

Keynote Speech: Bill Gates

Bill Gates, Chair of the Gates Foundation and Founder of Microsoft, announced, ‘Today, our foundation is announcing a new partnership with Qatar Fund for Development. Together, we’ll support economic empowerment and expanded access to health and education in Africa and Asia. Qatar has shown that collaboration drives meaningful progress, from its commitments to global partnerships like Gavi and the Global Fund to its leadership in regional initiatives like the Lives and Livelihoods Fund and helping tackle polio in Afghanistan. And you’ve shown how investing early and staying committed makes all the difference when it comes to tackling complex issues. That approach is exactly what the world needs now.”

Opening Panel: Mediation in a Time of Fragmentation

The Forum’s first high-level panel, “Mediation in a Time of Fragmentation,” brought together: H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani; H.E. Kaja Kallas; H.E. José Manuel Albares; and H.E. Hakan Fidan. Moderated by CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, the discussion explored the erosion of trust in multilateral systems and the need for adaptable, principled approaches to mediation. Speakers emphasized opportunities to rebuild cooperation, reinforce humanitarian norms, and prevent further regional and global escalation.

Shockwaves and Safety Nets: Rethinking Trade in the Age of Disruption

The global ripple effects of trade policy have highlighted the interconnectivity of markets and their vulnerability to economic shocks. As services and digital platforms pave new paths for growth, the stakes remain high for global commerce cooperation. How can trade discussions evolve amidst these changes to reap opportunities, and yet also take care of those impacted by disruptions?

H.E. Mehmet Şimşek: Minister of Treasury and Finance, Republic of Türkiye; Rebeca Grynspan: Secretary-General, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); H.E. Dr. Ahmad Al-Sayed: Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs, State of Qatar; Jared Cohen: President of Global Affairs and Co-Head of the Goldman Sachs Global Institute, Goldman Sachs; H.E. Børge Brende: President and CEO, World Economic Forum (Moderator)

In Conversation with Donald Trump Jr and Omeed Malik

Donald Trump Jr said the United States would no longer be “the big dumb guy with the chequebook” expected to “cover all of the world’s problems”. He spoke of a “transactional perspective”, a “pragmatic foreign policy” aiming to allow Gulf States to “become real partners to the United States”, given the region’s vast energy reserves.

Donald Trump Jr.: Partner, 1789 Capital; Omeed Malik: Founder and President, 1789 Capital.

Counterpoint Live: A One-on-One Conversation with Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton, former US Secretary of State said, “There is a very clear message from the strategy that was issued that the United States is taking a very big turn away from the kind of alliances that have been the hallmark of our foreign policy, and, I would argue, our real strength in influencing events in the world.” She went on to say, “I’m angry about what happened on October 7th in Israel and what happened in Gaza.”On suffering in Gaza, saying, “So of course the suffering in Gaza is horrific. Full stop.”

Newsmaker Interview: H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani

H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, speaking in conversation with Tucker Carlson at Doha Forum 2025, said, on Hamas, Gaza, and Qatar’s role, “The communication was started back more than 10 years, 13 years ago at the request of United States… it was used only for the communication and to facilitate ceasefire, facilitating aids to Gaza … If you have no one speaking to those non-state actors, how are we going to resolve or to reach a solution at the end of the day? … All our aid and all our support… went to Gaza, went to the people, and it was under very transparent process that United States is fully aware about. Israel is the one who’s facilitating.”

A Future to Believe In: Rebuilding Trust through Shared Action

As the world grapples with conflict, inequality, and eroding faith in institutions, the path forward depends on restoring trust—between nations, leaders, and the people they serve. This closing conversation brings together global voices from politics and diplomacy to explore how renewed accountability and collective action can turn commitments into tangible progress. In a moment when promises alone no longer suffice, how can leaders rekindle confidence in the possibility of a fairer, more stable world?

H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud: President, Federal Republic of Somalia; H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al-Alimi Bawazeer: Vice President of the Presidential Leadership Council, Republic of Yemen; Francesca Albanese: Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, United Nations; Ghida Fakhry: Master of Ceremonies, Doha Forum (Moderator)

Closing Statement

HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation (QF) and Education Above All Foundation (EAA) delivered today the closing remarks at Doha Forum 2025, saying, “Justice, at its core, is a faith, a culture, and a practice deeply rooted in reality. Justice must be perceived and experienced, not just used as a rhetorical slogan. Those slogans are empty promises and false commitments deliberately designed to remain unfulfilled." HH went on to say, "The international system is marred by an absence of the principles of justice as scenes of injustice spread across the globe an injustice that is clearly observable but intentionally ignored and dismissed". Her Highness concluded her remarks by reaffirming the pivotal role of Doha Forum as a global platform for dialogue and policy-making, noting that its import lies in its ability to bring together leaders and decision-makers to address the intractable challenges gripping our world - most of which are man-made.