Leaders Urge Dialogue, Diplomacy, and Collaboration to Tackle Hybrid Threats at Day Two of the Global Security Forum 2025

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• Qatar reaffirms its leadership in global mediation, peacebuilding, and security cooperation.
• World leaders and experts call for urgent, innovative strategies to address the rise of non-state actors.
• Forum discussions emphasize the critical role of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving modern conflicts.
• Security specialists warn of hybrid threats reshaping the Sahel and destabilizing international systems.
• Qatar’s commitment to conflict resolution across Africa and the Middle East recognized by global leaders.

Doha, Qatar 29 April 2025:

The second day of the Global Security Forum 2025, held in Doha under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, continued with urgent calls for innovative mediation strategies and comprehensive action to counter the growing impact of non-state actors worldwide.

Opening the day, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, Minister of State for the State of Qatar, underscored that mediation remains the backbone of Qatar’s foreign policy. In a high-level fireside chat with NBC’s Richard Engel, he highlighted Qatar’s commitment to building trusted relationships across Latin America, Africa, and Europe, conveying that today’s borderless conflicts require early engagement, collective solutions, and an enduring sense of hope to sustain pathways to peace.

Building on the theme of diplomacy and resilience, General Rudzani Maphwanya, Chief of the South African National Defence Force, emphasized the indispensable role of dialogue in today’s security landscape. “Dialogue is not a sign of weakness,” he affirmed. “It is a testament to our collective wisdom and strength, both as global leaders and as nations striving for peace, security, and sustainable development.” General Maphwanya also praised Qatar’s leadership, noting that “Qatar has been central to matters of conflict resolution, mediation, and peacebuilding within the Middle East region and beyond.”

The Forum, organized by the Qatar International Academy for Security Studies (QIASS) and The Soufan Center under the 2025 theme “The Impact of Non-State Actors on Global Security”, continued to convene international leaders, experts, and practitioners to address evolving threats and promote global stability.

Turning to operational challenges, a key panel discussion sponsored by Arizona State University and New America, “Combatting Non-State Actors and Proxy Groups: Lessons Learned,” explored the blurred boundaries between state and non-state forces. Participants highlighted the urgent need for adaptive security frameworks capable of confronting new hybrid threats.

Delivering high-level remarks, The Rt. Hon. Mark Pritchard, Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom, reinforced the need for unified approaches. “This Forum reminds us: strategic collaboration between government, the private sector, and international partners is essential to counter threats in the digital and geopolitical grey zones,” he stated, spotlighting the GSF’s integral role in advancing dialogue at the nexus of security, technology, and diplomacy.

Further spotlighting Qatar’s leadership, Col. Ali Al Ali, INTERPOL Executive Committee Member, State of Qatar, reflected on the nation’s enduring pledge to international law enforcement cooperation. “Qatar is a committed leader in global security, proudly driving key law enforcement initiatives and celebrating 50 years of Interpol membership with new leadership on the Interpol Executive Committee,” he noted.

H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Former Chairperson of the African Union Commission and Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Chad, praised Qatar’s longstanding dedication to peacebuilding efforts in Africa. “I want to thank Qatar for its involvement in conflict resolution in the Sahel and Africa. I witnessed its commitment firsthand here in Doha 15 or 16 years ago,” he said, reflecting on Qatar’s sustained diplomatic engagement.

The security dynamics across Africa remained in sharp focus during the “Unraveling the Sahel” panel, where experts from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, and the United Nations analyzed the intersecting forces of climate change, transnational insurgency, state fragility, and economic marginalization shaping instability across the region.

The afternoon sessions shifted toward bold conversations tackling identity, resistance, and international security frameworks. In a rare dialogue, Dr. Ilan Pappé and Ms. Diana Buttu engaged in an honest confrontation of the divides between Israeli and Palestinian citizens, exploring painful histories and the search for coexistence. Simultaneously, a major panel discussion assessed the evolving scope of the “Axis of Resistance,” examining how its factions have adapted ideologically and strategically in the wake of leadership losses and operational challenges. A UN CTED-sponsored session gathered leading researchers to evaluate the legal and policy complexities of addressing violent non-state actors, highlighting the growing challenges to international counterterrorism frameworks.

Day two concluded with a series of specialized side events that showcased the Forum’s commitment to innovation and collaboration: a high-level mediation dialogue, an AI-driven cybersecurity exercise hosted by QIASS, and the UN CTED Global Research Network reception—all reinforcing the Forum’s emphasis on resilience and the importance of coordinated action.

The Global Security Forum 2025 continues tomorrow with high-level sessions examining crisis response, the future of hybrid warfare, and the evolving role of non-state actors in shaping international institutions.