The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, took part this Saturday in the opening panel of the Doha Forum (Qatar), entitled "Mediation in a Time of Fragmentation". Moderated by CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour, the panel saw Albares analyse the role of diplomatic mediation in the current geopolitical context, alongside the Prime Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani; the Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan; and the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas.
In his intervention, Albares advocated for a new diplomacy for peace, more effective in an increasingly fragmented world, but also offering the potential for greater diversity. A new diplomacy that calls for coherence, dialogue, joint proposals and coordinated efforts to promote peace and stability. In this respect, the minister added, any conflict must be guided by rules respected by all parties, including third parties such as mediators.
Albares backed the role of mediators as valuable actors in contemporary diplomacy and noted that Spain actively supports various mediation processes in different forums, including the International Centre for Peace in Toledo (CITpax); the Alliance of Civilizations, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025; the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID); the Ibero-American Network of Women Mediators; and the Doha Forum itself.
New diplomacy
Albares emphasised that in an “evolving world” full of “new challenges,” diplomacy cannot continue as it has in the past. We live in a more “complex” world, with a “plurality of voices and experiences” that must be heard, including the voices of women, whose participation in diplomacy Spain actively supports, as evidenced by Madrid hosting the fifth Conference on Feminist Foreign Policy in 2026.
Furthermore, Spanish diplomacy responds to the evolution of the international community by forging alliances with increasingly relevant actors in key regions such as the Middle East, the Gulf, and Africa, based on common strategic interests and in defence of shared values grounded in multilateralism and international law.
Concluding his remarks, Albares stressed that, given the proliferation of crises, mediation must occupy an essential position in the new diplomacy. These mediation processes must also take into account religious diversity and the impact of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, which should always serve as a tool for peace and must never replace human judgement, empathy, or diplomacy. Today’s mediators must also overcome new challenges, such as disinformation and fake news.
Commitment to peace in Gaza
Minister Albares also took part in a second panel on the present and future of Gaza (The Gaza Reckoning: Reassessing Global Responsibilities and Pathways to Peace), where he exchanged views on the situation in Palestine with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, and Norwegian counterpart, Espen Barth Eide, as well as with the Minister Plenipotentiary of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Manal Radwan, in a session moderated by Comfort Ero, CEO and President of the International Crisis Group. Albares pointed out that we are at a “crossroads,” with a window of opportunity before us, and that this moment must be seized to achieve peace. He argued that “Israelis and Palestinians need a horizon of peace, security, and dignity; no one should be condemned to a perpetual spiral of violence; mutual recognition is the way forward.” Therefore, the international community must work toward implementing the two-State solution.
On this point, Albares recalled that Spain led the wave of recognitions of the State of Palestine and promoted the Madrid+ dialogue group with more than 20 countries across different continents, contributing decisively to the New York Declaration and the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State solution, which will chart the course toward definitive peace. Furthermore, Spain has made every effort possible to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians, increasing humanitarian aid, supporting the work of UNRWA, and boosting funding for the Palestinian National Authority, “our partner for peace”.
Gaza needs dialogue between the parties in conflict. For this reason, the Minister once again praised the joint efforts of Qatar and Türkiye, which, together with Spain, the EU, Egypt, and the United States, have helped create a positive scenario for peace in the Middle East. The Minister concluded by defending multilateralism and an international system based on rules rather than force or violence; a principle he highlighted in the year marking the 70th anniversary of Spain’s entry into the United Nations.
Bilateral meetings
Minister Albares took advantage of his participation in the Doha Forum to hold bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister of Qatar, His Highness Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, as well as with his counterparts from Nigeria, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and Iraq, Fuad Hussein. He also met with the UNDP Administrator, Alexander De Croo, and former US State Secretary Hillary Clinton, in a day that included a meeting with the CEO of the Qatar Investment Authority, Mohammad Al-Sowaidi, and interviews with international media outlets such as CNN and Al Jazeera.
For images of the event, click here
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