Events

CIPR Director, Dr. Majed Al Ansari, visited three German institutions for consultations on the geopolitical situation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. He met with the executives and the experts from the Berghof Foundation, Konrad Adaneur Stiftung and Korber Stiftung on 19-20 May 2022 in Berlin.

- He met with Alun Cairns, Edward Lister, Gavin Williamson, and Lord Wharton of Yarn. They discussed Qatar's foreign policy and its position on international and regional issues, and the bilateral relations and cooperation with the United Kingdom.

- He had meetings with four high profile think-tanks personnel’s: from Chatham House, Overseas Development Institute (ODI), ECFR and Bourse & Bazaar Foundation. They discussed regional and international challenges such as Iran’s nuclear case, Palestinian cause, Afghanistan, energy crisis, and cooperation with research institutions in Qatar.

- He met with James Landale from the BBC, David Hearst from Middle East Eye, and Patrick Wintour from The Guardian. At all meetings regional and international conflicts were discussed.

- He met Philip Parham the UK Government Envoy to the Commonwealth, Stephanie Al-Qaq the Director of Middle East and North Africa, and Vijay Rangarajan the Director General: America, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Middle East, Overseas Territories in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. They discussed Afghanistan case, the energy crisis and Qatar’s role, mediation, and conflict resolution, bilateral relations and cooperation with the United Kingdom, Iran nuclear agreement, Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and Israel-Palestine issue.

- He participated in two roundtables organized by Dr. Tobias of RUSI think-tank, and the Qatar Embassy based in London. In which the roundtables were attended by academic experts discussing GCC region domestic politics and foreign relations, Qatar foreign policy, and Middle East turbulences.

- He participated in London Second Century Conference, organized by the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House). In plenary session titled "Perspectives on the future of global order", he addressed international politics, especially current global developments effect on small and medium powers, and the chaotic nature of the global world if large and competing powers disregard global order to pursue national interests.

The Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) in Milano recently hosted a panel discussion featuring Dr. Majed Al Ansari, CIPR director and Advisor to the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. The discussion centered around the evolving dynamics of global diplomacy and the crucial role that small and medium-sized countries play in addressing the challenges of international polarization.

Overview:

Dr. Al Ansari began by highlighting the current state of international affairs marked by a discernible sense of polarization. He emphasized the need to move beyond oversimplified narratives that often fail to capture the complexities of global diplomacy. Drawing historical parallels, he noted the stark divisions during the Cold War era and how the present-day narrative has evolved into Western values versus Eastern ideals.

Qatar's Unique Position:

Dr. Al Ansari used Qatar as a prime example of a small and medium-sized country navigating the complexities of international relations. He shed light on Qatar's role as a major ally of the United States, a mediator in talks between the U.S. and Taliban, and its engagements with countries such as Ukraine, Russia, Iran, and China.

The Mismatch in Narratives:

Addressing the mismatch between global narratives and actual state actions, Dr. Al Ansari stressed the importance of recognizing the nuanced positions of small and medium-sized countries. He pointed out that these nations often find themselves in a unique situation that does not align neatly with the prevailing East-West dualism.

Economic Considerations:

From an economic standpoint, Dr. Al Ansari argued that activating the role of small and medium-sized countries outside the East-West division is crucial. He emphasized that the outdated idea of a universally applicable global model has given way to diverse paths, necessitating Western models to become more inclusive and adaptable.

Active Diplomacy and Multilateralism:

Dr. Al Ansari underlined the active role played by small and medium-sized countries in diplomacy, particularly in preventive measures, mediation, and the pursuit of practical solutions. He expressed the belief that these countries are essential participants in advocating multilateralism and reducing tensions between major powers.

HE Dr. Majed Al Ansari, CIPR Director and Advisor to the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, represented the State of Qatar in the 21st Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) Coordination Committee Meeting during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Overview:

During the meeting, Dr. Al Ansari emphasized Qatar's unwavering commitment to combatting terrorism, considering it not only a strategic priority but an essential element of national, regional, and international policies. He highlighted the comprehensive approach adopted by Qatar to address this global challenge.

Education as a Tool Against Extremism:

A key point of Dr. Al Ansari's remarks centered around the pivotal role of education in combating extremism. He asserted that Qatar firmly believes in the transformative power of education to empower youth and counter extremist ideologies. The country is actively involved in strengthening educational initiatives with the goal of contributing to the global fight against terrorism.

Qatar's Initiatives in Education:

Dr. Al Ansari shared insights into Qatar's active efforts to enhance education, emphasizing its positive impact on preventing extremism and radicalism. The State of Qatar is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for at-risk youth, enabling them to resist the lure of extremist ideologies. Furthermore, Dr. Al Ansari highlighted Qatar's belief in the deterrent effect of productive work against extremism.

Global Collaboration and the GCTF:

Qatar's participation in the GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting underscores its commitment to global collaboration in the fight against terrorism. During this occasion, Dr. Al Ansari expressed Qatar's dedication to working with the international community to address this shared challenge comprehensively.

In a significant engagement, CIPR Director and Advisor to the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Majed Al Ansari, actively participated in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Forum. The event, organized by the Middle East Institute and SRMG Research Advisory, took place on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Qatar's Role in the MENA Region:

Dr. Al Ansari, in his role as the Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided a comprehensive review of the State of Qatar's significant geopolitical role in the MENA region. He highlighted Qatar's unique position as a major player, emphasizing the multifaceted contributions that Qatar makes to regional stability and development.

US-Iranian Agreement and Detainee Exchange:

During the forum, Dr. Al Ansari addressed the repercussions of the US-Iranian Agreement on the exchange of detainees. Offering insights into Qatar's perspective, he shed light on Qatar's role in facilitating diplomatic initiatives to navigate the complexities of the agreement.

Qatar's Diplomatic Engagement:

Dr. Al Ansari's participation in the MENA Forum reaffirms Qatar's commitment to active diplomatic engagement on regional issues. The discussion underscored the country's dedication to fostering dialogue and contributing to solutions that promote stability and cooperation in the MENA region.