Zurich, June 12 (QNA) - HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi has highlighted the growing complexity of modern conflicts and the need for stronger international cooperation to support mediation and peacebuilding efforts.

Speaking during a keynote dialogue session at the 2026 MAS ETH Mediation in Peace Processes Policy Forum in Zurich, Al Khulaifi discussed the future of mediation initiatives in a changing geopolitical landscape.

HE Al Khulaifi said the international mediation environment is undergoing significant transformation as conflicts become increasingly complex and interconnected across political, security, economic and technological dimensions.

He noted that contemporary conflicts are no longer limited to clearly defined parties but increasingly involve multiple actors at the local, regional and international levels, creating new challenges for peaceful conflict resolution.

HE the minister also addressed the impact of technological developments, including artificial intelligence, on crisis management and decision-making. He stressed the importance of using such tools to support conflict prevention and strengthen mediation efforts, while cautioning against the risks posed by misinformation and its effect on building trust between parties.

Despite changes in the international landscape, HE Al Khulaifi said the fundamental principles of successful mediation remain unchanged, particularly trust, dialogue and access to all relevant stakeholders.

"Trust remains the cornerstone upon which mediation efforts are built," he said, emphasizing its role in creating conditions conducive to progress towards peaceful solutions.

During the discussion, Al Khulaifi outlined several mediation initiatives undertaken by the State of Qatar, including support for dialogue in Afghanistan, facilitating humanitarian assistance and the release of hostages and detainees in Gaza, contributing to the reunification of children with their families in Ukraine, and mediation efforts in Africa and Latin America.

He said the success of these initiatives had been based on sustained engagement, dialogue and confidence-building measures with all parties involved.

Looking ahead, Al Khulaifi argued that the future of international mediation would increasingly depend on partnerships between governments and institutions involved in peacebuilding.

He noted that the State of Qatar has strengthened cooperation in recent years with a number of international partners, including Switzerland, Finland and Norway, reflecting a shared belief that contemporary conflicts require collective approaches combining diplomatic expertise, technical capabilities and coordinated regional and international support for dialogue and peaceful settlement.

Al Khulaifi also underlined the distinct role of mediators, saying their objective differs from that of the parties to a conflict. Rather than pursuing specific outcomes, mediators seek to create conditions that allow parties to achieve their objectives through peaceful means, maintain channels of communication, reduce misunderstandings and foster opportunities for compromise.

He called for more sustainable approaches to conflict resolution that can adapt to rapidly changing circumstances while preserving the human dimension that remains central to any successful mediation process.

Concluding his remarks, HE Al Khulaifi reiterated that mediation is a strategic necessity for promoting international peace and security, and that dialogue remains the most effective tool for transforming confrontation into communication and differences into opportunities for cooperation. (QNA)