Doha, April 28 (QNA) - The sessions of the Global Security Forum 2025 on Monday discussed an array of issues related to the growing conflicts worldwide, driven by non-state actors, armed groups, and transnational networks, as well as the challenges these conflicts pose to mediation efforts.

The deliberations zeroed in on the evolving dynamics between governmental entities and non-state actors in shaping the contours of global security, with the participants unanimously affirming that the world today is in need of new, advanced mechanisms of action and more flexible and innovative diplomatic approaches to bolster the opportunities for achieving global security and peace, given the complex realignments besting the world order.

During a plenary session titled "Conflict Resolution and Mediation in an Age of Non-State Actors and Fragmented Power," Senior Expert at the Center for International Policy Research (CIPR) in Qatar, Dr. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Khalifa asserted that the State of Qatar possesses a unique strategic advantage in the area of mediation thanks to its capability of engaging with all parties in a flexible and agnostic manner.

The success of the Qatari mediation is alluded to a plethora of key factors, foremost among which are neutrality, openness to all parties, adherence to international legitimacy, and strict confidentiality in managing negotiations, Al Khalifa explained, adding that contemporary conflicts now involve multiple actors and intertwined interests, necessitating a new and innovative approach to address them.

Al Khalifa highlighted that, in its approach, Qatar pursued credible interaction with all conflicting parties with the objective of reaching enduring solutions that ensure security and stability in the region and beyond. He stressed that counter-terrorism requires building powerful and unified nations, alongside concerted international efforts to support nations in countering the factors leading to extremism.

For his part, Distinguished Chair in Diplomacy and Security at the RAND Corporation Ryan C. Crocker stated that today the world is grappling with one of its worst security moments, underlining the desperate need to reinvigorate the roles of non-governmental organizations in resolving conflicts and curbing crises.

Former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Pekka Haavisto said the State of Qatar performs a pivotal role in conflict settlement, particularly amid the disruption of the United Nations Security Council's work due to the use of veto power and the inability of the UN General Assembly to deliver effective solutions.

He emphasized the importance of trust as a fundamental factor in the success of any peace process, underscoring the necessity of involving all concerned parties.

Former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Afghanistan Fawzia Koofi stressed the importance of zeroing in on soft diplomacy to achieve balance in international relations. She highlighted that non-state actors offer more inclusive models for conflict resolution through capitalizing on unconventional and indirect channels of communication.

Koofi called for restructuring multilateral organizations such as the UN to raise their efficiency and bolster their role, noting that the new reality reinforces the rise of small powers and non-state actors in conflict management.

In side events on the margins of a key plenary session titled "The Future of Global Security: State Influence vs. Non-State Impact," Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism at the New York Police Department (NYPD) Rebecca Weiner said the world witnesses profound evolution in conflict patterns with the rise of non-state actors, alongside official entities.

She highlighted that wars have become more complex due to the introduction of cutting-edge technologies, particularly in the cybersecurity domain, thereby spawning a complex system of new capabilities.

In a high-level conversation at the forum, HE Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management in the Syrian Transitional Government Raed Al Saleh underscored the importance of combining flexibility with rigor in managing the current challenges.

The previous regime in Syria left the country in a difficult situation, prompting the current government to rebuild societal cohesion and achieve national reconciliation and transitional justice, in addition to countering economic crises arising from the sanctions imposed on Syria, HE Al Saleh highlighted.

The remnants of wars, including anti-personnel mines, have adversely affected food security and agricultural production. These challenges require an integrated and comprehensive task to reach a new, prosperous, and secure Syria, His Excellency said.

Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Armenia Armen Grigoryan called for extracting lessons from the experiences of non-state actors in conflicts through unifying international efforts to counter these challenges.

Regarding the future of non-state actors, Grigoryan highlighted that the existence of these entities will benefit nations, affirming that they need to constantly evolve and adapt to global realignments. He pointed out that enhancing regional engagement and building cemented economic relations are the key factors to achieving joint peace and prosperity.

In light of the realignments on the global security stage, the three-day forum shines a spotlight on the challenges facing the frameworks of governmental security operations under the influence of actors such as transnational terrorist groups, private military companies, criminal organizations, and cybercriminals, while examining the role of these actors in reshaping the contours of geopolitical dynamics. (QNA)