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Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani Opens World Security Forum 2026 in Doha
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Global Security Forum 2026 opens in Doha under the Future of Alliances theme. Delegates from over 100 countries attend; three-day forum runs to October 21.
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Doha forum opens
Doha started the eighth edition of the World Security Forum 2026 under the title Future of Alliances, with Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani opening the event at the Qatar International Academy for Security Studies in cooperation with the Sova(n) Center. Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), delivered opening remarks that stressed international security cooperation based on trust and shared responsibility, writing, "In my remarks, I emphasised the importance of international security cooperation based on trust and shared responsibility".
Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, opened the forum’s first fireside chat with CNN national security analyst Peter Bergen, addressing regional security challenges Qatar has faced amid escalating conflicts. The forum runs from 19 to 21 October, and it brings together leaders, officials, and experts in security, strategy, and policy to discuss the future of alliances and mechanisms of cooperation between states.
Defense and alliances
Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said Qatar would soon reveal a local defense production center and new partnerships with allies as part of an initiative to enhance its defensive capabilities. Sheikh Saoud Al Thani explained that a defense review conducted by Qatar last year prioritized air defense, countering drones, cyber and electronic threats, and he said Qatar was working on developing its local capabilities alongside expanding partnerships.
Sheikh Saoud stressed that Al Udeid Air Base is a Qatari facility used by allied forces, and he said it has hosted forces from more than 20 countries at one time. Brigadier General Khalid Mohammed Al-Nuaimi said Qatar repositioned its defence assets within around six hours to counter emerging threats, describing the response as "unprecedented and successful".
Iran, energy, and mediation
Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said achieving sustainable peace among Gulf Cooperation Council states and Iran requires regional dialogue that also involves Pakistan and Turkey, built on trust and a non-aggression agreement. Sheikh Saoud said Doha has not halted its contacts with Tehran despite disagreements, and he expressed hope that Iranian attacks on a Qatari-flagged vessel, five days after signing a memorandum of understanding in Geneva, were a surprise to Doha.
Sheikh Saoud warned that the wave of energy supply disruption impacts on consumers and prices has not peaked yet and that its consequences may continue in the coming months. Sheikh Saoud argued that mediation efforts by Pakistan, in cooperation with Oman and other partners, complement one another, and he said mediation and military readiness are not mutually exclusive, explaining that preventing wars requires sustained diplomatic engagement alongside the development of capabilities necessary to protect national sovereignty.