The Global Security Forum in Qatar will take place from May 20 to 22, featuring a distinguished group of international leaders, security experts, and policymakers from around the world, held under the theme "Strategic Competition: The Complexities of Interdependence." The prestigious forum is hosted under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, and will witness in-depth discussions on various sensitive issues related to global security, aimed at addressing and discussing the challenges and opportunities posed by an interconnected world.
The event attracts high-level participation from government leaders, ministers, security agencies, law enforcement, and media figures from around the globe. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani will deliver the opening speech at the forum, expected to set the trajectory for subsequent discussions and emphasize Qatar's pivotal role in fostering international dialogue and cooperation amidst increasing global tensions.
The forum program includes a series of side talks among ministers, as well as speeches and panel sessions addressing a multitude of issues featuring prominent personalities, including the impacts of global strategic competition on small states, the effects of the war in Gaza, and the international threats in the growing geopolitical landscape. Other topics include post-conflict reconciliation, hostage-taking and settlement, the African security landscape, national security, counter-terrorism, human security threats in Global South countries, and the implications of artificial intelligence and emerging technology in fueling a potential arms race in the modern era.
Additionally, a number of sessions and side discussions, both open and closed, will cover a variety of topics such as conflict resolution, education, cooperation, and law enforcement relations. Commenting on this topic, Colin P. Clarke, Director of Research at the Soufan Group, stated, "The Global Security Forum plays a crucial role in addressing the growing challenges the world faces amid changing geopolitical threats. The dialogues at the forum are essential to understanding the complexities surrounding global security in our interconnected world. The insights gleaned from the forum contribute to enhancing collective efforts to effectively address urgent global challenges and pave the way for innovative solutions and strong partnerships to help achieve and maintain global stability and peace."
The results of this year’s forum are expected to be compiled into a Key Insights report to provide an overview and conclusions on future strategies discussed in the sessions, covering several aspects of global security, such as technological advancements, geopolitical tensions, and collaborative peace frameworks. The 2024 Global Security Forum is organized by the Qatar International Academy for Security Studies (QIAS) and the Soufan Center, in collaboration with several high-profile agencies and institutions, including the Executive Directorate of the UN Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee; the New America Foundation; Defense One; and the Soufan Group.
