Name: Doha Forum 2025: World leaders urge dialogue must turn to action
Uploaded: 2025-12-26T14:11:14.819Z
Duration: 5 min
Description: Doha Forum 2025 brought world leaders together to confront rising global tensions, deepen EU–GCC ties and support Syria’s transition. With Qatar’s mediation role in focus, the Forum emphasized moving from dialogue to real results.

Doha Forum 2025 brought world leaders together to confront rising global tensions, deepen EU–GCC ties and support Syria’s transition. With Qatar’s mediation role in focus, the Forum emphasized moving from dialogue to real results.

Doha

The Doha Forum 2025 convened in Qatar with a renewed emphasis on moving from dialogue to tangible action, especially amid ongoing global conflicts and divisions. Leaders from the European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council highlighted the economic and diplomatic potential of closer cooperation, representing a significant portion of the global economy and trade.

The forum addressed pressing issues such as the transition in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, with calls for continued progress on human rights and stability. The event also featured discussions on other regional conflicts and showcased new architectural projects symbolizing renewal, all under the theme 'Justice in Action, Beyond Promises to Progress.'

Doha Forum 2025: World leaders urge dialogue must turn to action

In a year defined by conflict and widening global divides, the Doha Forum returned with a renewed focus on dialogue, mediation, and long-term stability. And this year, a large contingent from the European Union was on hand, looking to strengthen ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council states. Frankly, in full disclosure, when I was coming here for the first time yesterday, I thought of it as a regional event, but it's not. It's a global event. And as such, it merits the active involvement of key European figures. These two markets, the GCC market and the European market, together they represent the 20%, almost the 20% of the global economy, almost the 18% of the global trade. So we have a huge potential. So it means even that we can reach a huge leverage together, a joint leverage for dealing all over the world and for working in the direction of more peace and more prosperity. Peace and stability remain top of mind, especially for Syria. It's been one year since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad's government, a moment that unfolded during the 2024 Doha Forum. Now, one year later, Syria's new president, Ahmad al-Shara, is on the forum's center stage. Not only Doha Forum, but the state of Qatar always promotes dialogue and for peace process. Always welcome the outcome of what happened during sessions. The Doha Forum always open for diverse voices and discussing the pressing issues around the world, aiming for good results out of those sessions. The Doha Forum in particular has been a place that convenes thought leaders and political figures and people working on humanitarian assistance. We saw last year this forum happened at the same time that the regime fell in Syria and everyone was here. The seeds of how you move forward in Syria happened here because everyone was at this forum. Still, experts say there's plenty of work left to be done. There is an incredible hunger for transition, for human rights protection, for truth on the part of the Syrian people. And there are changes. There is absolutely no doubt that this is not the same country as a year ago. For a start, we were there. And Amnesty has never been able to legally enter Syria until the fall of the Assad regime. Each year, the Doha Forum brings together heads of state, thought leaders and experts to tackle the world's biggest problems. As the growing divide widens between the global north and south, this year's gathering seems more essential than ever. It's a real credit, I think, to Doha, bringing together so many also disparate and different voices to come together and discuss the difficult issues of our day, just like my panel. And coming from the European space, I noticed some of the debates about, for example, Armenia-Azerbaijan, the conflict there and the solution for that conflict, and the conflict in Ukraine, things which are very close to my heart because they were within the jurisdiction of the court I sat on. So it's an amazing forum, and it's a real privilege to be here. A privilege is also how Mexican architect Frida Escobedo describes being selected to design Qatar's new Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, located at the former General Post Office, just steps away from the forum. The idea was to think about all of the elements that are already present in the GPO that have a heritage. So the idea of repetition, modularity, the idea of protection from the sun and from the weather conditions was a source of inspiration. But we were also thinking how to bring it into new life. And also thinking about, like, what are these elements that continue to work and continue to be very relevant for the building to be not only something that Qatar people can feel related to and proud of, but also that work very well environmentally. And much like Escobedo's vision of breathing new life into a familiar space, this year's Doha Forum theme, Justice in Action, Beyond Promises to Progress, carries a similar hope. Ideas are a start, but it takes real effort and intention to turn them into meaningful change. For more UN videos visit www.un.org

Munitions factories are expected to expand capacity and build new plants as the regime in Pyongyang intensifies weapons development and furthers its ties with Russia.

Pyongyang

Kim Jong-un orders North Korea to boost missile production in 2026

The United States launched airstrikes on Islamic State targets in Nigeria's Sokoto State on Thursday. Nigerian authorities denied Trump's claim of mass killings of Christians amid mixed reactions to the U.S. intervention.

Abuja

Nigeria confirms cooperation with U.S. strikes on IS targets

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday (December 26) he planned to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump soon and that a lot could be decided before the New Year as Washington pushes diplomatic efforts to end the war with Russia.

Washington

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskiy: 'A lot' can be decided before New Year ahead of Trump talk

The United States carried out airstrikes against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of Nigeria's government, U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. military said on Thursday, claiming the group had been targeting Christians in the region.

U.S. launches 'deadly' airstrikes in Nigeria targeting ISIS: Trump

Official results show Asfura edged out his main rival Salvador Nasralla by less than one percentage point. Marred by delays and fraud claims, the Honduran election continues Latin America's shift to the right.

Tegucigalpa

Honduras: Trump ally Nasry Asfura wins disputed presidency

Several people were killed in Southern California when severe storms with heavy rain caused mudslides and flooding, which was made worse in areas affected by wildfires in January.

Heavy rain, flooding turns deadly in California

The U.S. Department of Justice says it has found more than a million more documents potentially tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, delaying a full release for weeks while officials redact details to protect victims.

DOJ reviews over 1 million newly found Epstein documents

Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Christmas Mass Wednesday evening where he described the celebration as a feast of "faith, charity and hope". He reminded the faithful that refusing to help the poor and vulnerable is comparable to rejecting God altogether.

Rome

Pope Leo reminds believers to help the poor in first Christmas mass

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaled progress in a Ukraine-Russia peace plan, after he told journalists about a new draft that would include a free economic zone and demilitarization. Holly Williams has the latest.

Kyiv

Zelenskyy signals progress with Ukraine-Russia peace plan

Democrats and some Republicans are blasting the Justice Department over its handling of the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, which included major redactions.

U.S. lawmakers blast DOJ over Epstein files release

Bolsonaro is expected to undergo the procedure on 25 December.

Brasília

Brazil's ex-president Bolsonaro temporarily leaves prison for surgery

Two police officers have been killed in an explosion in Moscow, Russian investigators said on Wednesday. Their deaths come just two days after a car bomb killed a top general in the same area of the Russia capital.

Moscow

Three people killed in Moscow car explosion, Russian authorities say

European intelligence agencies say investigations into Russian interference now consume as much time as terrorist threats.

Paris

Pro-Russian hackers claim French postal service cyberattack

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country and the United States have reached a consensus on several critical issues aimed at bringing an end to the conflict with Russia — but sensitivities around territorial control in Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland and the management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remain unresolved.

U.S., Ukraine reach consensus on some key issues to end war with Russia

The latest Epstein file release alleges a connection between former prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell, including emails in which an individual identified as 'A' requested 'inappropriate friends.'

London

Latest Epstein release alleges new link to ex-prince Andrew

The US and Venezuela are in a war of words at the UN Security council following America's seizure of ships off Venezuela's coast. Venezuela's ambassador strongly condemned the U.S. actions, labeling them as extrajudicial executions and a military blockade intended to destabilize the country.

New York

U.S., Venezuela in war of words at UNSC over military strikes

Two people are dead after an explosion at a nursing home in Bristol, Pennsylvania, and several are still missing, Gov. Josh Shapiro said.

Bristol

Two dead, several missing after nursing home explosion in Pennsylvania

A Delaware state trooper was killed Tuesday during a shooting at a Wilmington DMV, the Delaware State Police said. The state's governor confirmed the shooter is also dead.

Wilmington

Delaware state trooper killed in DMV shooting, officials say

The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that President Trump cannot deploy the National Guard troops to Chicago as a legal challenge moves ahead.

Supreme Court blocks deployment of National Guard to Illinois

The Justice Department released a new trove of documents from its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including an email from a prosecutor indicating President Donald Trump had traveled aboard his private jet "many more times than previously has been reported."

Trump flew on Epstein jet 8 times according to newly released files

The Libyan army's chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, died in a plane crash after leaving Turkey's capital Ankara, the prime minister of Libya's internationally-recognized government said, adding that four others were on the jet as well.

Haymana

Libyan army's chief dies in plane crash in Turkey

Two men have been found guilty of plotting to kill hundreds in an Islamic State-inspired gun rampage against the Jewish community in England, a planned attack investigators say demonstrates the resurgent risk posed by the militant group.

Bolton

Two men found guilty of UK plot to kill Jews as IS fears grow

The FDA has approved the pill version of the weight loss drug Wegovy, the first oral medication of its kind. The new pills are expected to be available in a few weeks.

FDA approves Wegovy pill, first prescription pill for weight loss

French Parliament has approved the Stopgap Bill two days before Christmas. The budget bill now moves to French senate.

Parijs

French Parliament approves Stopgap Bill: Budget bill moves to senate

Russia fired more than 650 drones and three dozen missiles at Ukraine in a large-scale attack that began during the night and stretched into daylight hours Tuesday, officials said. At least three people were killed, including a 4-year-old child, two days before Christmas.

Kiev

Russia carries out massive drone attack on Ukraine's energy sector

The U.S. Department of Justice has released another batch of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including videos, emails and documents. CBS News' Scott MacFarlane reports.

U.S. Justice Department releases new trove of Epstein files

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland insisted that the United States won't take over Greenland and demanded respect for their territorial integrity after President Donald Trump ‍​announced ​the appointment of a ‌special envoy to the semi-autonomous territory.

Nuuk

Trump's appointment of envoy to Greenland sparks tension with Denmark

Australia's most populous state is set to pass tougher gun laws, ban the display of terrorist symbols and curb protests after the state parliament's lower house cleared a bill late on Monday (December 22) in an emergency sitting following the Bondi mass shooting.

Council of the City of Sydney

Australia's NSW to tighten gun, hate speech laws after Bondi attack

On Monday, President Trump announced a new class of Navy battleships he's calling the "Golden Fleet." The president said two vessels will be built in the short term, with plans to expand to up to 25.

Trump unveils plans for new fleet of advanced Navy battleships

China's foreign ministry on Monday (December 22) said the United States' seizure of another country's ships was a serious violation of international law, after the U.S. intercepted a China-bound oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast.

Breakdown