Doha, February 12 (QNA) - Global attention turns tomorrow (Friday) to the German city of Munich, where the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) will commence. Widely regarded as the world's foremost platform for discussing security and defense policy, this year's gathering takes place amid an exceptionally complex and sensitive international landscape.

The conference will run until February 15 and will see unprecedented participation, with around 65 heads of state and government and nearly 100 foreign and defense ministers in attendance, alongside senior military commanders, policymakers, and strategic experts. Representatives from approximately 120 countries- nearly two-thirds of United Nations member states-are expected to take part, underscoring the political and security weight of the annual event.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will open the conference. High-profile participants include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, in addition to prominent political, security, and economic figures from across the globe.

This year's edition convenes at a time described as one of the most turbulent periods since the end of the Cold War. Armed conflicts are escalating in multiple regions, the rules-based international order is under strain, and questions are mounting about the future of traditional alliances, particularly the transatlantic partnership.

The international system faces a decisive test, amid growing doubts over its ability to adapt to profound geopolitical shifts marked by the rise of new powers, intensifying competition among major states, and declining confidence in certain multilateral institutions.

Regional stability and human rights are expected to top the conference agenda, alongside the war in Ukraine and its implications for European security, developments in the Middle East-particularly the war in Gaza and its humanitarian and security repercussions-tensions among major powers, the future of the international order, energy security, cybersecurity, and challenges associated with technological advancement and artificial intelligence.

Commenting on the significance of the conference and Qatar's participation, Assistant Professor of Political Science in the Department of International Affairs at Qatar University, Dr. Nafjah Sabah Al Buafra Al Kuwari stressed that the Munich Security Conference has evolved beyond a traditional forum for discussing military and security challenges. It has become a strategic arena reflecting structural transformations in the international system, where cross-border threats intersect with humanitarian, economic, and environmental dimensions of security.

She noted that Qatar's role at the MSC goes beyond symbolic participation, extending to active contributions in shaping priority discussions. Doha has advanced issues such as mediation and conflict resolution, human security, energy security, maritime security, and countering extremism-while linking these files to sustainable development. She emphasized that Qatar's experience in international mediation, whether in Afghanistan or other regional dossiers, has granted it credibility in promoting approaches based on dialogue, confidence-building, and gradual settlements, rather than zero-sum polarization that further complicates crises.

Dr. Al Kuwari added that amid sweeping transformations in the international system, Qatar seeks to consolidate a model of "flexible” or "smart” diplomacy-one that combines openness toward major powers with the preservation of national decision-making independence and balanced international relations. In this sense, Qatar's participation in Munich conveys a dual message: regionally, that Gulf and Middle East security cannot be separated from collective dialogue, cooperative security frameworks, and the integration of economic and environmental dimensions into stability; and internationally, that small states are not marginal actors but can serve as trusted mediators contributing to the shaping of international understandings, particularly at a time when the effectiveness of some multilateral institutions is declining.

On regional concerns, Dr. Al Kuwari explained that migration, environmental issues, and sustainability have become core national security challenges. Protracted conflicts, developmental imbalances, and climate change are generating waves of internal and cross-border displacement, placing pressure on infrastructure, labor markets, and public services, and raising concerns about exploitation by organized crime networks or extremist groups. Labor-receiving countries also face challenges in managing demographic balances, protecting rights, and ensuring social stability.

On the environmental front, she noted that the Middle East is among the region’s most vulnerable to climate change impacts-from rising temperatures to water scarcity, desertification, and threats to food security. Without structural solutions, these challenges could intensify environmental migration and heighten social and economic tensions. The transition to clean energy, she said, represents both a challenge and an opportunity: while it requires profound economic restructuring, it also offers a chance to reposition within the global green economy.

For his part, Editor-in-Chief of Qatar's Al Raya daily newspaper, Abdullah Al Merri said that Qatar continues to consolidate its role as a strategic partner at the Munich Security Conference through a comprehensive vision that goes beyond diplomatic dialogue to contributing to sustainable security solutions. He affirmed that Doha seeks to steer global discussions toward energy security, regional mediation, and cybersecurity as top priorities for global stability at the current stage.

He explained that Qatar's role is anchored in the principle of trusted mediation. Doha has contributed to resolving conflicts once deemed intractable, particularly in Gaza, Afghanistan, and Iran, reinforcing its standing as a responsible actor in the international system.

Al Merri also highlighted Qatar's vital role as a reliable global supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG), which contributes to stabilizing the global economy and preventing energy-related geopolitical crises, especially during times of turmoil. He stressed the importance of Qatar's approach linking security and sustainability by addressing the root causes of conflict and migration through investment in education, development, and climate action. Security, he noted, cannot be achieved through military tools alone but requires a comprehensive vision that tackles the structural causes of crises.

In turn, Assistant Professor in the Department of International Affairs at Qatar University, Dr. Abdullah Bandar Al Otaibi underscored that the significance of this year's conference lies in the exceptional circumstances shaping international relations, particularly between Europe and the wider world, amid escalating security challenges and the redefinition of alliance priorities. The conference, he said, provides an important opportunity to reassess paths of international cooperation and identify ways to de-escalate tensions and enhance stability.

He emphasized that Qatar's participation is grounded in a firm belief in diplomacy, dialogue, and mediation as essential tools for conflict resolution-an approach that has become increasingly urgent given the complexity and interconnectedness of today's crises. Energy security, he added, remains a major concern for consumer countries, particularly during winter and amid global economic volatility, highlighting the importance of Qatar's vision of strengthening international partnerships and ensuring sustainable energy supplies to promote regional and global stability.

The Munich Security Conference was founded in 1963 by German publisher Ewald von Kleist under the name "International Defense Studies Meeting," later evolving into the "International Conference on Defense Studies" before adopting its current name. Over more than six decades, it has grown from a limited Cold War-era defense gathering into a premier global platform bringing together leading political, military, economic, and academic minds from around the world.

The conference is currently chaired by former German diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger, who assumed the role in 2010 following a distinguished diplomatic career that included serving as Germany's ambassador to Washington. Under his leadership, the conference expanded significantly in both scope and participation, incorporating non-traditional security issues such as cybersecurity, energy security, climate change, and health security alongside traditional geopolitical concerns.

Since its launch, the MSC Contact Group has convened more than a dozen meetings across eight countries-Egypt, Germany, India, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates-aimed at identifying priority issues and promoting long-term peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. This reflects the conference's practical dimension in supporting regional and international dialogue.

Against the backdrop of profound geopolitical transformations and intertwined security challenges, the 62nd Munich Security Conference stands as a pivotal moment to reassess the foundations of the global security order and explore more flexible and resilient mechanisms of cooperation.

With record attendance by heads of state and government, Munich this year is set to become a decisive forum for debating the future of the transatlantic partnership, Europe's pursuit of greater defense autonomy, the role of emerging powers, and the prospects for building a more inclusive and balanced security architecture.

Within this context, Qatar's active participation stands out as a model of dynamic diplomacy aimed at consolidating dialogue and peaceful settlements, while strengthening the nexus between security, development, and sustainability-reflecting a deep understanding of contemporary challenges and the need for more integrated and cooperative approaches to address the world's multiple crises.

The discussions in Munich are expected to help shape the trajectory of global security policy in the years ahead, at a time when the world is increasingly in need of a shared vision that revitalizes multilateralism, restores trust, and opens new horizons for constructive international cooperation. (QNA)