IETO was invited to the Doha Forum Co-hosted by UNITAR and ADN Group, generously supported by the Govt of Qatar, Doha. World Negotiation Day 2024 took place in collaboration with the much-anticipated Doha Forum in Doha (Qatar) on December 9th 2024 at Sheraton Grand Doha.
Doha Forum (DF) (Arabic: منتدى الدوحة) is a forum held annually since 2003 in Doha, the capital city of Qatar. It is aimed at promoting dialogue, brining together leaders in policy making to discuss critical challenges facing the world, and building innovative and action-driven networks.
The event began with an opening ceremony, followed by two panels and the bestowing of the ‘Doha Best Negotiator of the Year 2024’ Award.
Round Table 1: International Negotiation in an Age of Disruption
In an era marked by geopolitical tensions, economic shifts, and technological disruptions, the art of international negotiation faces new challenges. This panel explored the adaptive strategies, skills and mindsets utilized by negotiators to navigate complexities, bridge divides, and drive impactful global solutions.
Speakers:
- H.E. Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, Former President of the UN General Assembly, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Former Minister of National Defense of Ecuador
- Mr. Miguel Bautista, Secretary of the Trade and Development Board, Director for Intergovernmental Outreach and Support, UNCTAD
- Mr. Ahmed Essa Al-Sulaiti, Trade Diplomat and Legal Counsel at Qatar Mission to the Trade and Economic Organizations in Geneva
Round Table 2: The Complexity of Bilateral Negotiations
In our increasingly complex and globalized world, bilateral negotiations offer a key focused, constructive and flexible environment for reaching agreements. With the ability to foster direct communication, establish economic and political cooperation, and build trust between stakeholders, bilateral negotiation remains a fundamental method in reaching mutually beneficial outcomes. This panel focussed on the complexities of bilateral negotiations, analyzing the impacts of power imbalances, changing circumstances, time constraints and cultural and communication barriers on the bilateral negotiation process.
Speakers:
- Ms. Joelle Germanier, Executive Director, Centre of Competence on Humanitarian Negotiation
- Mr. Kirk Kinnell, Professional Negotiator, Former Chief of Negotiation at Scotland Yard
- Mr. Julien Morel, Supply Chain & Logistics Director, Parfums Christian Dior (LVMH)
This forum comes at a time when active armed conflicts around the world have reached their highest level since World War II, indicating that the nature of these conflicts has evolved, with battlefields expanding to include civilian-populated areas.
Qatar has adopted innovative approaches to successful mediations and conflict resolution at all levels, either by directly intervening as a mediator in some conflicts, hosting peace agreement negotiations, or supporting research and innovation fields that explore new horizons and strive to create solutions to facilitate mediators’ tasks and help communities overcome the devastating effects of war and conflict.