(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The Doha Forum: Youth Edition 2025 opened Wednesday at Education City's Student Centre, Multaqa, bringing together more than 150 emerging leaders from more than 100 countries.

The two-day event is jointly organised by QatarDebate Centre and the Doha Forum, in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Sports and Youth and Media City Qatar.

The opening ceremony drew high-level officials, including Her Excellency Lolwah bint Rashid al-Khater, Minister of Education and Higher Education, and chairperson of the Board of Directors of QatarDebate Centre; His Excellency Sheikh Dr Abdulla bin Ali al-Thani, chairman of Media City Qatar; His Excellency Yasser al-Jamal, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth and vice chairman of QatarDebate; His Excellency Mubarak Ajlan al-Kuwari, executive director of the Permanent Committee for Organising Conferences; and D Hayat A Maarafi, executive director, QatarDebate, alongside a distinguished group of diplomats and international experts.

Al-Jamal emphasised the pivotal role of youth in shaping the future, addressing the participants by stating:“Your participation today sends a clear message that young people are not merely present on the scene, but are a force capable of transforming dialogue into initiatives, and visions into actionable steps that create real impact.”

Al-Kuwari said:“Justice is not only debated within the halls of conferences but is tested in real-world contexts such as classrooms, digital spaces, workplaces, and communities.”

He explained:“The Youth edition of the Doha Forum was launched specifically to ensure that your perspectives, interests, and priorities are genuinely integrated into the discussions before they reach the main stage”.

Abdulrahman al-Subaie, director of Administration and Strategy at QatarDebate, said:“The relationship between the QatarDebate Centre and the Doha Forum is not a mere signed document or a partnership preserved in files, but a convergence of visions and a profound recognition that the voice of youth is not a fleeting echo, but a compass guiding the direction of the future.

The event offers a global platform for youth to develop solutions and policy recommendations to be presented at the main Doha Forum. Held under the theme“Justice in Action: Beyond Promises to Progress,” the programme tackles key issues in geopolitics, economic development, emerging technologies, cultural diplomacy, and security.

The ceremony also featured a dialogue with Sheikh Dr Abdulla on the role of media in empowering young people. He said:“Media is the true language of this generation. We are moving beyond simply consuming content; we are building an ecosystem where young creators lead the narrative”.

The first day continued with a series of high-level panels examining global challenges. A key session,“Who Holds the Line: Rethinking Responsibility in Geopolitics,” explored shifts in global power dynamics and proposed new frameworks for accountability and international cooperation driven by young leaders.

The first day of the forum also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between QatarDebate Centre and Qatar Foundation for Social Work. The three-year memorandum forms part of a partnership aimed at strengthening dialogue and communication skills within Qatari society through training programmes that foster a sound environment for constructive debate under the supervision of the QatarDebate Centre.

Doha Forum Youth Edition 2025 Education City QatarDebate Centre

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