HH The Amir Participates in Opening Session of World Economic Forum

His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani participated Monday afternoon in the opening session of the World Economic Forum, which is being held in Davos under the theme "History at a Turning Point".

HH The Amir delivered a speech at the opening session, here is its transcript: 

Mr. Chairman, 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The current session of the World Economic Forum is of exceptional importance, for it is happening in the midst of economic challenges and geo-political turmoil. 
Before we can hope for economic prosperity, we must first examine, repair, and enforce our framework for peace. And we need to send, a re-assuring message to people around the world: Only through unity can we overcome the conflict that divides us. I can tell you that after years of peace-facilitation, through mediations, that we can never give up hope. We should never give up, trying to bring parties together. As long as we believe, our efforts, could help save, even a single life, our attempts to mediate will be worth it. Our united efforts need to be based, on the principles already agreed-on: in the Charter of the United Nations, international law, and respecting each others sovereignty.
In recent decades, we have witnessed the marginalization of the role of the United Nations, the transgression of the rule of law in international relations, and the breakdown of basic respect for one-another’s independence. 
Solving disputes through aggression is on the rise, and has reached one of its worst peaks, in the war here in Europe. We are in touch with all parties concerned in the Ukrainian crisis, and I am ready, to contribute to every international and regional effort, to find an immediate, peaceful solution to the conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
QATAR FIRMLY REJECTS the aggression on the sovereignty of States, and any act that would constitute a violation of international law. We stand in solidarity with the millions of innocent refugees who are victims of this European war, and with the victims, of All the other wars taking place, right now. Victims of every race, nationality, and religion. I want us to help all of them.
As we rightly-apply laser-focus to find a diplomatic solution to the Ukrainian crisis, I hope we can equally give as much attention and effort to resolving, all those forgotten or ignored conflicts. They all deserve peace, security, and dignity.
The most glaring example, is in Palestine, which has been an open wound, since the establishment of the United Nations. Those families have been occupied for decades, with no relief in sight. The escalation, in illegal settlement-aggression, has been relentless, and the same goes for the continual attacks against the Palestinian people. I keep praying that the world wakes up, to the injustice, and violence, and finally acts.  
Shireen Abu Akleh, a Christian, Palestinian-American journalist was killed 2-weeks ago in Palestine, and then robbed, of a dignified-burial. Shireen was covering the suffering, of the Palestinian people for decades, and our hearts, are broken. 
Her death was just as horrific as the 7 journalists killed in Ukraine since March of this year, ...and the 18 other journalists killed in Palestine since 2000, ...and the many other journalists killed in the line of duty in Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Yemen. 
In the 21st Century, we should not tolerate these aggressions. And we should not accept a world, where governments have double standards about the value of people, based on their region, race, or religion. We consider the value, of each European life, to be just as precious, as someone from our region.
Distinguished audience,
As a small state, maintaining regional and international, peace-and-security, constitutes a special priority for the State of Qatar. We work tirelessly to help manage, solve, and mitigate conflicts, including our ongoing work in Afghanistan. We were honored to be able to help with the evacuation efforts in Afghanistan. And it was only possible, thanks to the years-spent investing in peace-keeping: Expert mediation, state-of-the-art military and special forces, search-and-rescue teams, ranked, as some of the best in the world, and the countless hours of sweat and tears, from so many. All those years of investment, training, and building strategic partnerships, paid off. ...At a time, when we were needed to step-in, and RESCUE people. I am so grateful for all your sacrifices.
My friends,
I also consider protecting the environment to be a responsibility for all of us. Qatar has placed sustainability, front and center, and focus our resources, to develop emission-reduction technologies, and cleaner energy. We intend to play an active role in encouraging, regional and international policy-development, surrounding both energy, and the environment. We have all seen over the past months, what happens, when we don’t work together. At this critical moment in time, we must wisely balance the need to take care of the environment, and simultaneously, provide energy security for the world.
This will take coordination and intense collaboration, between all governments, companies, stakeholders, and every one of us. Because every single one of us needs energy, and right now, almost one billion people are still without a reliable energy source. 
As one of the largest producers of liquified natural gas in the world, Qatar invested in LNG expansion-efforts for years, understanding that LNG is a critical base-load energy-source, needed during the transition, which is already underway. Increased LNG-production can provide the world, with a cleaner, safer, more reliable, and flexible energy supply. Achieving global energy-security will lead to market stability, and reduce the economic effects of the current energy crisis.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As most of you know, for the first time in the Middle East, Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup later this year. We are working hard, so this major sports-event, can allow our entire region, the chance to host the world. For decades now, the Middle East has suffered, from discrimination. And I have found, that such discrimination, is largely based on people not knowing us, and in some cases, refusing to get to know us. 
Even today, there are still people who cannot accept the idea, that an Arab-Muslim country, would host a tournament, like the World Cup. These individuals, including many in positions of influence, have launched attacks, at a pace never seen before, when a mega-sporting event was hosted, by other countries on different continents. Despite the fact, that each of those countries, has its own particular problems and challenges. Qatar is just like your own country… NOT PERFECT. Constantly trying to improve, and full of hope, for a brighter future.
We are so proud of the development, reform, and progress we have made, and we are grateful for the spotlight that the World Cup provided, which inspired us, to make these changes at lightening-speed. 
I assure everyone listening, that this edition of the World Cup, will be a special one. We believe that sport is a tool, for positive change, promotes tolerance and respect, empowers-youth, and inspires unity. We stand by that belief, and I hope you’ll join us to discover the beautiful game, as it is played in our county.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our common interest, our common responsibility, and the common destiny of all humanity, requires partnership. So that all of us, can live in peace.
I thank you very much.

During the session, HH The Amir answered a question from Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab on how Qatar balances its ties with both the United States and China. Schwab noted that U.S. President Biden designated Qatar as a major non-Nato ally. HH The Amir said that the State of Qatar enjoys very strong and strategic partnership with the U.S. His Highness said that this designation was a recognition for the role of Qatar in the Middle-East and around the world. On ties with China, His Highness said that he visited China during the Beijing winter Olympics recently and had the chance to meet HE President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping following an invitation from His Excellency, describing ties with China as strong, particularly in the economic fields. His Highness added that those strong ties with both sides confirms the State of Qatar's efforts to facilitate peace.

On Qatar's international efforts, HH The Amir said that Qatar has many different activities on different fronts whether in education, creating jobs, and countering terrorism. His Highness said that the best way to resolve disputes is by having a dialogue. His Highness referenced what was done in Afghanistan, affirming that Qatar encourages Iran and the international community to negotiate and reach an agreement.

In another question about the energy crisis in Europe, HH The Amir said that the energy crisis existed for years, noting that Qatar as an energy producer and investor is using the most modern technology to limit emissions and conserve the environment while supplying the international partners around the world.

On the State of Qatar's international diplomacy and its priorities in that regard, His Highness expressed his gratitude for the trust put in the State of Qatar, highlighting that the country's track record of being honest and bringing people together. His Highness stressed that what distinguishes the State of Qatar is that it does not give up even if negotiations were difficult. His Highness said that the State of Qatar, despite being a small country, but it plays the mediator role to establish peace.

HH The Amir said that the of Qatar's role is to facilitate peace talks and to supply the market with energy, given its status as an honest and trusted country by everyone and puts all the efforts in that regard, stressing that the State of Qatar will spare no efforts in maintaining its approach based on finding peaceful solutions to different conflicts.

Professor Schwab welcomed HH The Amir in the opening session and His Highness' first participation, praising the strong cooperation between the State of Qatar and the forum. He noted that Qatar has become a major force in global affairs by enhancing its ties with the region and the world's countries, and negotiating on many issues. He noted that everyone now looks to Qatar when it comes to mediation due to its ties, expressing appreciation for the State of Qatar's efforts in many fields, including energy, education, and sports.

The opening session was attended by a number of Their Excellencies Ministers, heads of state delegations, and ranking political and economic officials, as well as experts and CEOs of many international companies, and the participating delegations.