Sybiha, Slovakia's State Secretary for EU Affairs discuss joint energy projects, transborder cooperation

Qatar's Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, HE Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, addressed the opening session of the Geneva Peace Forum on Monday. In his address, Al Khulaifi stressed the significance of rules and standards governing mediation for peace. He emphasized that these rules and standards have become even more crucial in light of Qatar's experience in mediation.

Al Khulaifi explained that mediation is more than just bringing two parties together; it is built on trust, impartiality, confidentiality, inclusivity, and a genuine dedication to a peaceful resolution. He noted that these principles are not mere theories, but practical conditions that enable parties to take risks in pursuit of peace, test compromise solutions, and remain committed to the negotiation process, even when an agreement seems far-fetched.

He highlighted that protecting the principles of mediation, the space for mediation, and multilateral peacebuilding efforts is of utmost importance. Wars today are often far from decisive victories and rarely reach clear resolutions, making the path to victory and agreement increasingly narrow. Al Khulaifi asserted that mediation serves as the means to keep this path open.

The Minister of State explained that dialogue requires a secure and safe political and physical environment, with parties confident that engaging in negotiations will not expose them to new risks. He emphasized that the more challenging dialogue becomes, the more essential mediation is. Moreover, the less robust the rules and standards governing mediation, the greater Qatar's responsibility to defend them.

Al Khulaifi called on the international community, including the United Nations, to remain vigilant and prepared to defend mediation when it is under threat. He reminded that the pursuit of peaceful settlement is one of the fundamental pillars of the international system, as outlined in the United Nations Charter, specifically in Article 33, which calls for negotiation and mediation as means of peacefully resolving disputes.