Doha, January 27 (QNA) - QatarDebate Center, founded by Qatar Foundation, concluded the third edition of the Mutual Dialogue Summit following two days of focused discussions on pressing issues at the local and regional levels. The Summit was organized in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Sports and Youth, and with Msheireb Museums serving as the cultural partner.

During the closing session, Engineer Yasser Al Jamal, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth and Vice Chairman of QatarDebate Center, highlighted that the Summit reflects a strong belief that youth empowerment is achieved not through slogans, but through genuine dialogue that develops critical thinking, enhances analytical skills, and transforms ideas into responsible action and tangible outcomes.

His Excellency added that the Summit was designed as a practical, outcome-oriented experience, enabling youth to interact directly with experts and decision-makers in substantive dialogue while demonstrating their ability, when empowered, to deliver proactive solutions to emerging challenges.

Abdulrahman Al Subaie, Director of Administration and Strategy at QatarDebate Center, remarked: "Throughout the Summit, we witnessed specialized workshops, engaging roundtable discussions, and deep dialogue sessions with leading experts and professionals. These initiatives allowed the Center to elevate young voices, enhance their skills, and build understanding across different perspectives. This reflects our strong belief that youth are not merely subjects of debate

but active partners in decision-making in a world where challenges are growing faster, and issues are increasingly interconnected."

Following the closing remarks, a panel discussion titled "From Local Ideas to Regional Enterprises: The Rise of Startups in the Gulf" took place, bringing together Hamad Al Hajri, Qatari entrepreneur, founder of Snoonu, and CEO of International Markets at Jahez International, and Talal Al Awadhi, Kuwaiti founder and CEO of Ottu. The discussion was moderated by Jamal Al Mulla, a media professional, content creator, and podcast host from the United Arab Emirates.

The panelists traced their journey from humble local ideas to well-established entrepreneurial ventures across the Gulf, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities they encountered as their companies grew. They emphasized that the initial idea served as the foundation for their projects and reflected on the most challenging stages of their entrepreneurial paths.

The second day of the Summit featured a panel discussion titled "Beyond Algorithms: Gulf Efforts in Building Artificial Intelligence Models," moderated by Moza Al Hajri, Ambassador at QatarDebate Center.

The discussion brought together a distinguished group of experts, including Eman Al Kuwari, Director of Digital Innovation at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology; Dr. Hoda Al Khzaimi, Research Assistant Professor and Associate Vice Provost for Research Translation and Entrepreneurship at New York University Abu Dhabi; and Dr. Ibrahim Al Muslim, Assistant Research Professor at the National Center for Artificial Intelligence at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.

The speakers explored how Gulf countries are advancing AI development through localized technologies, enhanced scientific research, and the establishment of sustainable innovation ecosystems that can maintain pace with global digital transformation and drive future growth.

Another panel discussion focused on the role of youth and sports in facilitating societal dialogue. The session was moderated by Asrar Al Ansari, Director of the Youth Department at the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council from Kuwait. It featured Jassim Al Jassim, CEO of the Local Organizing Committee for Football Events, who highlighted the significance of major sporting events in empowering youth and enhancing the Gulf's presence on the global sports stage.

The Summit provided a comprehensive platform for discussions on education, architecture, and innovation. One of the panels, titled "Redefining Education in the Digital Age through EdTech,"

examined how digital innovation can transform education systems, enhance learning quality, and shape future opportunities. The session was moderated by Salem Al Shamakhi, QatarDebate Center Ambassador, and featured Aldana Alsemaitt, Program Associate at the World Innovation Summit for Education; Mohammad Alsuraye, Co-Founder and CEO of Dawrat; and Ahmed Faraj, entrepreneur, founder, and EdTech expert.

Another session, "Gulf Architecture between Memory and Innovation," featured Ibrahim Jaidah, Group CEO and Chief Architect of the Arab Engineering Bureau, and Bashar Al Salem, a Kuwaiti architect and CEO of Kayan. It was moderated by Mozah Al Obaidan, architect and public policy researcher. The session discussed how to balance the preservation of Gulf architectural identity with innovation in contemporary urban design.

Two workshops were also held on the first and second days of the Summit to enhance participants' leadership, public speaking, and problem-solving skills. The first-day workshop focused on simulating cybersecurity crisis management scenarios, allowing participants to test decision-making and teamwork under pressure. On the second day, a Policy Lab was held to address challenges in agriculture, technology, and economic development, guiding participants to develop practical recommendations and present them through concise 3MT-style pitches. (QNA)