Qatar’s role in building sustainable peace

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The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University hosted the Minister of State of Qatar, His Excellency Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, for a presentation on "The Role of Qatar in International Mediation and Peacemaking," on May 6 at Mason Square.

His Excellency Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi with Carter School dean Alpaslan Özerdem. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Students, alumni, faculty, and partners gathered to hear Al-Khulaifi talk about the critical considerations for effective mediation and sustainable peace, illustrated with examples of the successes and complexities Qatar has addressed as a neutral mediator.

"Hosting H.E. Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi at the Carter School was both timely and deeply valuable for our community," said Carter School dean Alpaslan Özerdem. "At a moment when the international system is becoming increasingly fragmented and unpredictable, hearing directly from a practitioner and policymaker operating at the highest levels of international mediation offered a rare opportunity to reflect on how peacemaking itself is evolving.

"What particularly stood out was the emphasis on trust, persistence, and sustained engagement as the foundations of effective mediation-principles that are becoming ever more critical in today's conflict environment."

Al-Khulaifi focused on the critical importance of gaining the trust of all parties in the mediation process, based in part on the consent of both parties and respect for the cultures involved.

His Excellency Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Neutrality, a thorough understanding of the root issues, location, and the sustainability of the agreement are all critical elements in modern mediation, he said, noting that sustainability is one of the most crucial parts yet also the most difficult to maintain, especially in a complex and politically volatile landscape. Terms must be clear, and not open to misinterpretation, and mutually agreed-upon mechanisms must be established to provide peaceful recourse when a dispute arises, he said, all of which depends on strong communication.

Al-Khulaifi shared several real-world mediation examples. For instance, at the World Cup, representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo approached him about a dispute with Rwanda. After encouraging the envoys to watch the remainder of the match, they met at the diplomatic club. A week later, the parties had an agreement in principle.

He also reflected on the difficulty in creating a sustainable solution to the presidential power vacuum in Lebanon, Qatar's work to reunify more than 100 children with their families in the Ukraine-Russia War, as well as other disputes, including Libya, Afghanistan, Gaza, and Venezuela.

George Mason alumna Isabella Cuevas, MS Conflict Analysis and Resolution '25, said she was deeply impressed by the presentation. "Instead of it being a distant concept, [His Excellency] grounded the work of international mediation, bringing faces and actions to international peacebuilding," she said. "The work being done by Qatar and the academic work being performed at the Carter School shouldn't be separate; we're working toward the same goals."