Where will the Doha Forum take place?

The Doha Forum will be held in the city of Doha, QAT.

What is the central theme of the Doha Forum?

The central theme for this iteration of the Doha Forum is "Redefining Global Trust."

When is the Doha Forum scheduled to occur?

The Doha Forum is scheduled to take place during the month of December.

Doha Forum 2026

Name: Doha Forum 2026
Start: 2026-12-05T00:00:00Z
End: 2026-12-06T00:00:00Z
Location: Doha

Dec 5–6, 2026Doha, QatarIn-person

Registration open

The Doha Forum will convene in Doha, QAT, during the month of December. This iteration of the forum is set to explore the theme of "Redefining Global Trust," bringing together a diverse array of global leaders, policymakers, and experts. The event provides a crucial platform for high-level dialogue on contemporary international challenges and opportunities, fostering discussions aimed at understanding and rebuilding trust in an increasingly complex global landscape. The forum's focus on trust is particularly salient given current geopolitical dynamics and the evolving nature of international relations. Participants will engage in a series of discussions, panels, and workshops designed to dissect the multifaceted aspects of global trust, from economic cooperation to security paradigms. The event aims to generate actionable insights and collaborative strategies to navigate the challenges inherent in re-establishing and maintaining trust among nations and within international frameworks.

Committees & topics

Topics
Economic Development and Trade · Education and Knowledge Economies · Energy Transition and the Green Economy · Women in Leadership · Health Systems and Global Preparedness · Global South Cooperation · Water Security and Natural Resource Management · Defense and Security Policy

Why it matters

The theme "Redefining Global Trust" is profoundly relevant in an era marked by shifting geopolitical alliances and persistent global challenges. Trust is the bedrock of effective international cooperation, enabling collective action on issues ranging from climate change and economic stability to conflict resolution and humanitarian crises. When trust erodes, the capacity for multilateral engagement diminishes, leading to increased fragmentation and a reduced ability to address shared problems.

This forum offers a vital opportunity for stakeholders to critically examine the factors contributing to the current state of global trust and to explore innovative approaches for its restoration. By convening influential figures from various sectors and regions, the Doha Forum facilitates candid conversations that can help bridge divides and foster a more collaborative international environment. The discussions are expected to delve into the underlying causes of mistrust, including geopolitical rivalries, economic disparities, and differing normative frameworks, providing a comprehensive understanding of the landscape.

Furthermore, the forum's location in Doha, QAT, positions it as a significant hub for dialogue between the Global North and South. QAT's role as a mediator and bridge-builder in various international contexts lends particular weight to the discussions held here. The insights and recommendations emerging from the forum could significantly influence policy directions and diplomatic efforts worldwide, contributing to a more stable and predictable international order.

How to prepare

To effectively engage with the theme of "Redefining Global Trust," delegates should undertake a comprehensive review of contemporary theories of international relations, particularly those concerning cooperation, conflict, and institutional design. Understanding the historical evolution of international trust and its various manifestations across different political and economic systems will be crucial. A strong grasp of the current geopolitical landscape, including major power dynamics and regional flashpoints, will also provide essential context for the discussions.

Delegates should prepare to analyze the concept of trust through multiple lenses, considering its economic, political, social, and cultural dimensions. This involves examining how trust is built and eroded in various international contexts, from bilateral agreements to multilateral organizations. Familiarity with case studies of successful and failed trust-building initiatives will be beneficial. Consider applying frameworks such as those discussed in the lesson on "Dynamic Analysis" to understand the interplay of various factors influencing trust.

Furthermore, participants should be ready to articulate specific policy proposals or strategic interventions that could contribute to the redefinition and restoration of global trust. This requires not only identifying problems but also formulating concrete, actionable solutions. Engaging with the lesson on "Engagement Strategies" can help in preparing to present and advocate for these solutions effectively within a multi-stakeholder environment. Understanding the perspectives of diverse actors, including those from different cultural and political backgrounds, will be paramount for constructive dialogue.

Country perspectives

Where the most-relevant 6 countries stand on the core issues in play. Click through for the full country profile.

Qatar

As the host nation, QAT aims to facilitate open dialogue and position itself as a neutral convener for discussions on global trust.

Role in topic

QAT plays a significant role in international diplomacy and mediation, often acting as a bridge between different geopolitical blocs. Its hosting of the Doha Forum underscores its commitment to fostering global dialogue and addressing complex international issues, particularly those related to trust and cooperation.

United States

The USA will likely emphasize the importance of democratic values and rule of law as foundations for global trust, while also addressing challenges posed by rising powers.

Role in topic

As a major global power, the USA's actions and policies significantly impact international trust. Its perspective will focus on maintaining a rules-based international order and addressing challenges to trust stemming from geopolitical competition and ideological differences.

China

CHN will likely advocate for a new model of international relations based on mutual respect and win-win cooperation, challenging traditional Western-centric notions of trust.

Role in topic

CHN's growing economic and political influence means its approach to international relations is central to discussions on global trust. Its Belt and Road Initiative, for example, is often framed as a trust-building endeavor, though it also raises questions about transparency and debt sustainability.

Germany

DEU will likely champion multilateralism and international institutions as key mechanisms for building and sustaining global trust.

Role in topic

As a leading economy within the European Union, DEU is a strong proponent of multilateralism and international cooperation. Its perspective will likely emphasize the importance of shared values and institutional frameworks in fostering trust among nations.

Brazil

BRA will likely highlight the need for greater equity and inclusivity in global governance to rebuild trust, particularly among developing nations.

Role in topic

As a prominent voice from the Global South, BRA often advocates for reforms in international institutions and a more balanced global power structure. Its perspective will be crucial in discussing how to build trust through more equitable global frameworks.

India

IND will likely focus on the importance of sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs as prerequisites for genuine global trust.

Role in topic

IND's rising global stature and its commitment to strategic autonomy will shape its contributions to discussions on trust. It will likely emphasize the need for respect for national sovereignty and a multipolar world order as foundations for trust.

Topics & background

The background behind each topic and the actors that shape it.

Economic Development and Trade

The post-pandemic global economy has been shaped by fragmenting supply chains, rising protectionism, and a sovereign debt crisis across the Global South. The WTO's dispute settlement system remains partially paralyzed since the United States blocked Appellate Body appointments in 2019, while bilateral and regional trade pacts — from RCEP to the AfCFTA — have proliferated as substitutes for multilateral progress. Industrial policy has made a sharp return, with the US Inflation Reduction Act, the EU's Net-Zero Industry Act, and China's Made in China 2025 strategy reshaping competition in semiconductors, EVs, and clean tech. For developing economies, the picture is bleaker: UNCTAD estimates that more than 3.3 billion people now live in countries spending more on debt service than on health or education. The G20 Common Framework has delivered slow restructurings for Zambia, Ghana, and Chad, but middle-income debtors remain excluded. Gulf states, including Qatar and the UAE, have positioned themselves as both creditors and investment partners, deploying sovereign wealth into emerging markets. The core debate in 2026 centers on reconciling industrial sovereignty with open trade, financing the SDGs amid fiscal stress, and updating multilateral institutions — particularly the WTO and IMF — to reflect the weight of emerging economies.

Key players

Education and Knowledge Economies

Global education systems are still recovering from pandemic-era learning losses, which the World Bank estimates pushed learning poverty in low- and middle-income countries above 70%. The 2022 UN Transforming Education Summit produced national commitments on financing, foundational learning, and digital connectivity, but follow-through has been uneven. At the same time, the rise of generative AI has upended assumptions about curricula, assessment, and the future of work, prompting UNESCO to issue its 2023 guidance on AI in education. Knowledge economies are increasingly defined by competition for talent, research capacity, and control over standards in AI, biotech, and quantum. Gulf states have invested heavily in higher education hubs — Qatar's Education City, Saudi Arabia's KAUST, and the UAE's MBZUAI — to diversify beyond hydrocarbons. Meanwhile, restrictions on international student mobility in some Western states, and tightening export controls on research collaboration, complicate the traditional model of open science. The central tensions involve closing the digital and learning divide, governing AI's role in classrooms, financing teacher capacity in low-income states, and ensuring that knowledge-economy gains are not captured solely by a handful of technology hubs.

Key players

Energy Transition and the Green Economy

COP28 in Dubai produced the first UNFCCC outcome calling for a transition away from fossil fuels, alongside pledges to triple renewables and double energy efficiency by 2030. COP29 in Baku then agreed a new climate finance goal of at least USD 300 billion per year by 2035 — widely criticized by developing states as inadequate against estimated needs above USD 1.3 trillion. The IEA reports record renewables deployment, but fossil fuel demand also reached new highs in 2024, underscoring the gap between pledges and emissions trajectories. The transition is geopolitically uneven. Major hydrocarbon producers — including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Russia — are positioning gas as a transition fuel while investing in hydrogen, CCUS, and renewables. China dominates clean-tech manufacturing supply chains for solar, batteries, and EVs, prompting tariff responses from the US and EU. African and small island states are demanding faster delivery on loss-and-damage financing operationalized at COP27. Key 2026 questions include how to scale concessional finance and carbon markets, how to manage stranded-asset risks for producer economies, and how to ensure critical-minerals supply chains for renewables do not replicate extractive patterns.

Key players

Women in Leadership

Three decades after the 1995 Beijing Declaration, women remain underrepresented at every level of political and economic leadership. UN Women reports that as of 2024, women hold roughly 27% of parliamentary seats globally and head only about 15 governments. The World Economic Forum estimates that closing the global gender gap at current rates would take more than 130 years. Conflict, climate displacement, and post-COVID labor market shifts have disproportionately affected women, while rollbacks of reproductive rights in several jurisdictions have reframed the global rights debate. Regional pictures diverge sharply. Rwanda continues to lead the world in female parliamentary representation; Nordic states maintain near parity in cabinets; in the MENA region, Gulf reform agendas — including Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and Qatar's National Vision 2030 — have expanded women's labor force participation, though structural gaps remain. In Afghanistan, the Taliban's bans on girls' secondary and university education have triggered ongoing UN scrutiny under the framework of "gender apartheid." The 2026 conversation focuses on translating Beijing+30 commitments into enforceable benchmarks, expanding women's role in peace processes under UNSCR 1325, and addressing online gender-based violence and AI-driven discrimination.

Key players

Health Systems and Global Preparedness

COVID-19 exposed deep inequities in pandemic response — particularly in vaccine access — and prompted the negotiation of a new WHO Pandemic Agreement, adopted at the World Health Assembly in May 2025 alongside amendments to the International Health Regulations. The agreement's implementation phase centers on pathogen access and benefit sharing (PABS), technology transfer, and surge financing, with several middle-income states withholding final ratification pending clarity on these mechanisms. Beyond pandemics, health systems face compounding pressures: rising non-communicable diseases now account for roughly three-quarters of global deaths, antimicrobial resistance is projected to cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050, and conflict zones from Sudan to Gaza have seen near-total collapse of health infrastructure. Climate-driven outbreaks of dengue, cholera, and mpox have stretched WHO emergency capacity, even as the organization faces funding shortfalls after the 2025 US withdrawal announcement. The core debates concern equitable financing of preparedness, manufacturing capacity in the Global South, and how to safeguard health workers and facilities in armed conflict under international humanitarian law.

Key players

Global South Cooperation

South-South cooperation has accelerated as developing states seek alternatives to traditional Western-led institutions perceived as slow to reform. The BRICS grouping expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE, with Saudi Arabia participating selectively; the bloc now represents over 45% of the world's population and roughly 35% of global GDP at PPP. The New Development Bank, the African Continental Free Trade Area, and initiatives on local-currency settlement are reshaping economic geography. At the same time, the G77+China continues to push for reform of the UN Security Council, the international financial architecture, and climate finance delivery. The 2023 Voice of the Global South Summits hosted by India, the 2024 Pact for the Future at the UN Summit of the Future, and the 2025 Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville highlighted persistent grievances over debt, representation, and unmet aid commitments. Gulf states have emerged as significant South-South donors and investors, often working through Islamic Development Bank and OPEC Fund channels. The central questions involve how to translate demographic and economic weight into governance reform, how to coordinate positions across an increasingly diverse Global South, and how to avoid new forms of dependency in South-South finance.

Key players

Water Security and Natural Resource Management

Roughly two billion people lack safely managed drinking water, and the UN projects a 40% gap between water demand and supply by 2030 under current trends. Transboundary basins — the Nile, Tigris-Euphrates, Indus, Mekong, and Helmand — are sites of growing political friction, exacerbated by upstream dam construction, glacial melt, and shifting monsoon patterns. The 2023 UN Water Conference, the first in nearly half a century, generated the Water Action Agenda but produced no binding commitments. The MENA region, including the Gulf, is among the most water-stressed in the world, relying heavily on desalination and non-renewable aquifers. Disputes over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan remain unresolved, while drought across the Horn of Africa and the Sahel has driven displacement and conflict. Beyond water, competition over critical minerals — lithium, cobalt, rare earths — is reshaping resource governance, with concerns over both environmental damage and concentration of supply chains. Key 2026 issues include strengthening transboundary water frameworks like the 1997 UN Watercourses Convention, financing climate-resilient water infrastructure, and ensuring that the energy transition does not produce a new wave of extractive harm.

Key players

Defense and Security Policy

The global security environment has shifted markedly since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with NATO enlargement to include Finland and Sweden, record European defense spending, and the reinforcement of US alliances across the Indo-Pacific via AUKUS and the Quad. The war in Gaza since October 2023, Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, and Israel-Iran direct exchanges in 2024 have widened Middle Eastern conflict dynamics, while Sudan's civil war has produced the world's largest displacement crisis. Defense policy is also being reshaped by technology: drones, AI-enabled targeting, cyber operations, and space-based assets are altering the character of warfare, even as arms-control frameworks — New START, the CFE Treaty, and the Open Skies Treaty — have collapsed or are expiring. Global military expenditure surpassed USD 2.4 trillion in 2023, according to SIPRI, the steepest year-on-year rise in over a decade. Gulf states, including Qatar (host of US CENTCOM forward headquarters at Al Udeid), have expanded their roles as mediators and as defense-procurement hubs. The core debates concern alliance burden-sharing, the future of strategic arms control, governance of military AI and autonomy, and how regional powers can stabilize overlapping conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, the Sahel, and the Indo-Pacific.

Key players

Resources

News, lessons, and country profiles to prep for Doha Forum 2026.

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Lessons

Bite-sized lessons to build the basics

Dynamic Analysis

Hidden Stakeholders

Engagement Strategies

Stakeholder Mapping Workshop

Courses

Guided courses that go deeper on the topic

Crisis Management

Policy Brief Writing

Advanced Negotiation

Multilateral Negotiation

Qatar December 2026

By committee

Frequently asked questions

Doha Forum 2026

Dec 5–6, 2026Doha, QatarIn-person

Registration open

Committees & topics

Topics
Economic Development and Trade · Education and Knowledge Economies · Energy Transition and the Green Economy · Women in Leadership · Health Systems and Global Preparedness · Global South Cooperation · Water Security and Natural Resource Management · Defense and Security Policy

Why it matters

How to prepare

Country perspectives

Where the most-relevant 6 countries stand on the core issues in play. Click through for the full country profile.

Qatar

As the host nation, QAT aims to facilitate open dialogue and position itself as a neutral convener for discussions on global trust.

Role in topic

United States

The USA will likely emphasize the importance of democratic values and rule of law as foundations for global trust, while also addressing challenges posed by rising powers.

Role in topic

China

CHN will likely advocate for a new model of international relations based on mutual respect and win-win cooperation, challenging traditional Western-centric notions of trust.

Role in topic

Germany

DEU will likely champion multilateralism and international institutions as key mechanisms for building and sustaining global trust.

Role in topic

Brazil

BRA will likely highlight the need for greater equity and inclusivity in global governance to rebuild trust, particularly among developing nations.

Role in topic

India

IND will likely focus on the importance of sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs as prerequisites for genuine global trust.

Role in topic