news

The 15th Doha Forum 2015 and Enriching the Middle East's Economic Future Conference concluded today with the participation of more than 100 countries. Discussions during the three-day event focused on a variety of issues including Arab Spring issues, prospects for democratic change, social security matters, regional and international stability, human development, security, economy, energy, media and human rights as well as regional challenges and crises.
They also touched on key issues such as the importance of stability and development in East Africa and security, justice, equality and the fight against terrorism in Iraq, in addition to the role of international organizations, international community and the Security Council in meeting people's aspiration for stability.
In his remarks to the closing session, HE Assistant Foreign Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi said over three days the Doha Forum discussed fully and thoroughly topics on its agenda, pointing out that the participants highlighted the importance of issues and topics that were discussed.
Al Rumaihi added that the Doha Forum provided a comprehensive assessment of hot issues related to democracy, development and trade in the Middle East, the Arab countries and the world, pointing out that through discussions participants reached a common vision on crucial issues related to political, economic, social and security and strategic issues in the region that is witnessing a state of instability because of the obvious inability of the international community.
The State of Qatar, he said, stressed that the promotion and protection of human rights are one of the most important demands for the Arab peoples who have been demanding change and commitment to the principles of good governance as a real guarantee of freedom and social justice.
He continued by saying that the realization of people aspirations would lead to the provision of security and political and social stability and would achieve comprehensive development, adding that development is a shared responsibility between government and private sector and civil society by participating in the economic and social development efforts.
He stressed that peace is the best and strategic option for the Middle East, expressing his confidence that the Doha Forum through discussions has reached conclusions to this end.
HE Assistant Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs spoke of the Syrian issue saying it represented a major failure of the international community which failed to find a solution to the suffering of the Syrian people.
Al Rumaihi added the State of Qatar urged the Security Council to shoulder its responsibility and to take all measures guaranteed by international law and international humanitarian law to maintain the security and protection of the Syrian people as well as achieve their legitimate aspirations in accordance with the decisions of Geneva. 
Steven L. Spiegel, Director of University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Center for Middle East Development, who chaired the closing session, said participants in the Doha Forum spent 72 hours discussing several issues and challenges facing the Middle East region, underlining their belief that the United States started to withdraw from the region at the same time suspicions of the region's population are growing about western intervention in it. 
He added that participants agreed that disputes in Iraq, Yemen and Syria are not sectarian but rather a conflict over geopolitical ambitions. 
For his part, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said in his address that the forum focused on significant issues that aim to dig into the economic future of the region, adding that the event provided a platform for those keen on the future of the region to meet and has gained international reputation. 
The topics discussed in the forum tackled historic issues that date back for decades and also touched on post-Arab spring issues that dominated the public opinion, including unemployment, gender gap, healthcare, the role od democracy and youth, Block said.