General

Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s profile as a global mediator continues to rise as geopolitical tensions and increasingly complex armed conflicts reshape international diplomacy, an official has said. Speaking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of the 23rd edition of Doha Forum, Isak Svensson, Professor at Uppsala University, noted that the world is entering a phase where successful mediation is becoming “not only more urgent, but significantly harder to achieve,” as peace agreements decline and conflicts persist or reignite despite years of negotiation efforts. He mentioned that global mediation efforts are facing new and complex challenges, making peace agreements increasingly difficult to achieve, according to Isac Svensson, professor at Uppsala University, speaking ahead of his participation in a panel on international mediation, yesterday. Read Also Doha Forum highlights its growing importance as a global platform for dialogue and development Chances of scattered, thundery rain in Qatar starting December 12 Brookfield, Qatar’s Qai forge $20bn strategic partnership to bolster AI infrastructure Svensson, a peace and conflict researcher, said this year marks his first time attending the Forum, where he hopes to expand his network and deepen his understanding of global trends shaping conflict resolution. The Forum, he noted, provides a valuable platform for experts, policymakers, and mediators navigating today’s shifting diplomatic environment. “I’m here to network and get a more global perspective on the issues that relate to my field, which is peace and conflict research,” he said. “I’m participating in a panel on international mediation and the changing landscape of international mediation.” The panel examined why peacemaking appears to be losing momentum worldwide. Although the exact discussion format is yet to unfold, the lecturer said his contribution will focus on empirical evidence showing a decline in mediation success rates. “Peacemaking has become more difficult, so the landscape for peacemaking has become more difficult,” he explained. “We see fewer peace agreements, fewer cease-fire agreements, fewer conflicts being terminated, and more conflicts that restart after they have terminated. All this signals that peacemaking success has become more difficult to attain.” According to Svensson, researchers have yet to fully understand the root causes of this trend, and debates continue. However, two broad explanations are emerging. “Conflicts have become more difficult with more international actors, more fragmented, more radical actors, and so forth,” Svensson said. “Many wars now include transnational networks, private armed groups, ideological militias, and shifting alliances, complicating negotiations.” Second, the international system that traditionally supported mediation efforts has weakened. “The international system to handle conflicts has been more paralysed and less effective,” he stressed, pointing to geopolitical divisions that challenge coordinated diplomacy. Svensson highlighted the roles of emerging and established mediators on the global stage. He remarked that Doha has become increasingly active and visible as a facilitator of negotiations across multiple regions. “Qatar plays a very important role as a mediator in many different countries around the world and has become more active on the scene,” he said. He also pointed out that Nordic countries such as Norway, Finland and historically Sweden have contributed significantly to peace processes, suggesting room for collaboration and shared learning. “There are exchanges that can be done in order to think about how to be an effective peacemaker today,” Svensson stated. He added that peacemaking is still possible, but the tools required to achieve it may need to evolve.

General

Doha, Qatar: The Doha Forum continues to demonstrate its value as a critical global platform for dialogue, collaboration, and action, according to Rachida Kaout, President of the High Commission of the African Diasporas in France. Speaking to The Peninsula, Kaout emphasised that the Forum is more than a gathering of leaders, it is a space where new global actors, including African diasporas, are shaping the future of development and international cooperation. Kaout highlighted that attendance at the Doha Forum is essential for African diasporas, who today play an increasingly significant role in helping the African continent advance and thrive. “African diasporas are the new actors who can help Africa to be more developed,” she stated, stressing that the continent holds vast potential across multiple sectors. Being present at a high-level global gathering like the Doha Forum, alongside “big presidents and actors of development,” provides an opportunity to build partnerships that can accelerate growth and unlock new possibilities for Africa’s future. Discussing the objectives of her delegation, Kaout noted that the Doha Forum offers a vital opportunity for engagement with organisations capable of supporting Africa’s progress across key areas such as health, education, and agriculture. She explained that the African Diaspora is looking for concrete pathways and support mechanisms that can lead to real transformation on the ground. She praised the Forum’s emphasis on moving beyond dialogue and turning commitments into tangible results. By motivating the most influential global figures to step forward for peace, development, and human advancement, the Doha Forum is positioning itself as a catalyst for meaningful change. Kaout also commended Qatar for its leadership in creating and sustaining platforms like the Doha Forum, which she described as crucial to establishing peace and security worldwide. She emphasised that Qatar’s initiatives, combined with the contributions of diasporas across the globe—hold the potential to shape a more peaceful and secure international environment. By fostering dialogue and encouraging global cooperation, Qatar is helping to lay the groundwork for solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Kaout voiced optimism about the power of collective action and diverse representation at global platforms such as the Doha Forum. She praised the event’s inclusive environment, which brings together individuals “from everywhere,” and noted that she travelled from France specifically to participate. “Everybody can be an actor of change,” she affirmed, urging communities and leaders alike to continue moving forward with confidence and determination. Her message, “go ahead and believe in the way we can build a new world”, captured the spirit of the Doha Forum as a space that inspires hope and mobilises action for a better future.

Weather

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Meteorology Department (QMD) has said the country is expected to be affected by an extension of a low-pressure system starting on Friday, December 12, 2025. In a post on its social media, the department said this low-pressure system will lead to an increase in cloud cover, with chances of scattered rain in some areas, possibly becoming thundery at times. Meanwhile QMD, in its daily weather report, said that the weather inshore will be moderate during the daytime with some clouds and relatively cold and misty by night. The wind will be mainly southeasterly at 3-13knots.