Doha World Negotiation Day 2024 Unites World’s Top Negotiator

09 December 2024 07:00 PM

Event held on heels of Doha Forum following agreement between Doha Forum and UNITAR

DOHA, Qatar, 9 December - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and ADN Group held today the fourth edition of World Negotiation Day in Qatar in partnership with Doha Forum.

Uniting some of the world’s most renowned contributors to peaceful negotiations and conflict resolution, Doha World Negotiation Day provided a high-level forum to discuss the role of negotiation in today’s challenging world, offering valuable perspectives on emerging challenges and opportunities in the field. The event's agenda included two high level panels from esteemed officials from international organizations, governance, and the private sector bodies on ‘International Negotiation in an Age of Disruption’ and ‘Complexities of Bilateral Negotiations’.

Speaking at the opening, H.E. Mubarak Ajlan Al Kuwari, Executive Director of Doha Forum, said, “This event has become a cornerstone in celebrating the art and science of negotiation—a skill that continues to shape the course of humanity and the future of our world. This year’s event is particularly significant as it aligns with the theme of the “Innovation Imperative,” which has been a guiding focus for Doha Forum in 2024. In an age of global disruption, innovation must go hand-in-hand with negotiation to address the complexities of our modern world.”

Rabih El-Haddad, Director, Division for Multilateral Diplomacy of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), added, “Today is about upholding the values of the UN Charter; values of peaceful settlement of disputes, preventative diplomacy, and achieving international cooperation, which align with the values of Doha Forum. These are the values that are the backbone of diplomacy today.”

He continued, “The challenges in today’s world do not recognize borders, whether disease or climate change or war. This requires a concerted approach of negotiation, and we cannot allow fear to prevent us from achieving our outcomes through negotiation.”

Doha World Negotiation Day 2024 concluded by bestowing the “Doha Best Negotiator of the Year” Award - a prestigious distinction given to one exceptional negotiator who has displayed exemplary skills and achievements on the international stage. Selected by a renowned international jury composed of prominent negotiators and diplomatic leaders, the award honors individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, creativity, and resilience in navigating complex negotiations.

This year’s award was received by Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), whose exceptional career reflects a steadfast commitment to human rights and global equity. As Costa Rica's former Vice-President and Director at ECLAC, she has championed ethical standards and environmental responsibility. Her pivotal role in negotiating the Black Sea Initiative on Ukrainian food and Russian ammonia export, also known as the Istanbul Agreements, ensured the continued flow of wheat and fertilizer into global markets amidst the Russia-Ukraine war. This UN-brokered agreement prevented a global food shortage, stabilized commodity prices, and facilitated the export of over 33 million tons of Ukrainian grain, addressing food security worldwide. We are honored to present this award to Ms. Grynspan, whose profound contributions have shaped international negotiations and positively impacted millions.

Thanking the jury for the award, Ms. Grynspan commented, “The World Bank estimates that for each one percentage point increase in food prices, 10 million people around the world are thrown into extreme poverty. Successful negotiation can impact the lives of hundreds of millions of people. Imagine what we could achieve if we negotiated more, if we agreed more, and if we managed to compromise more.”

Doha World Negotiation Day comes on the heels of Doha Forum, where a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Forum and UNITAR. The two parties agreed to collaborate on developing expertise and empowering diplomats in the areas of international and bilateral negotiation, conflict resolution and mediation, diplomacy and international relations as well as artificial intelligence and informed decision-making.

Doha Forum concluded on Saturday with over 5000 participants and 162 countries represented, sparking powerful conversations, bold ideas, and game-changing collaborations. Preparations are already underway for the next edition, which is scheduled for 6-7 December 2025, in Doha, Qatar.