Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — On 19–21 October 2026, Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISRS), participated in the 8th Global Security Forum 2026 in Doha, Qatar. The forum focused on pressing international security issues and prospects for strengthening global cooperation.
On the sidelines of the forum, Eldor Aripov held a series of meetings with representatives of Qatari government institutions and heads of analytical centres. The discussions focused on expanding expert-level ties, advancing Uzbekistan’s initiatives, and further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
In particular, during a meeting with Maha Al-Kuwari, General Manager of Doha Forum, the parties discussed prospects for Uzbekistan’s more active participation in the work of this international platform.
Maha Al-Kuwari expressed interest in ensuring broader representation of Uzbekistan’s perspectives on pressing international and regional issues. The parties agreed to continue their active engagement in this area.
Doha Forum is a leading global platform for discussing international developments, diplomatic initiatives, and sustainable development strategies. Since its establishment in 2002, it has evolved into a forum bringing together world leaders, representatives of international organisations, think tanks, and the academic community.
In 2025, ISRS, in cooperation with Georgetown University, organised a dedicated session within the framework of Doha Forum on the Termez Dialogue—an initiative put forward by Uzbekistan to establish a new connectivity architecture between Central and South Asia through the active engagement of Afghanistan.
An important focus of the meetings was the development of institutional cooperation between ISRS and Qatari research institutions, with a view to developing joint analytical approaches and practical recommendations to strengthen the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Qatar.
At a meeting with Mohamed Ali Chihi, Executive Director of the Global Institute for Strategic Research (GISR), the parties reached an understanding on signing a memorandum of cooperation between the two institutions. The signing is scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the upcoming Doha Forum.
The Global Institute for Strategic Research (GISR), affiliated with Hamad Bin Khalifa University, is an interdisciplinary think tank that examines international and regional challenges and develops strategic policy recommendations. Its priority areas include conflict resolution, energy and climate issues, artificial intelligence, Afghanistan-related issues, and the development of transport and logistics connectivity.
In turn, during a meeting with Ghassan Elkahlout, Director of the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, the parties explored opportunities to establish a partnership with ISRS. The Qatari side expressed interest in developing expert-level cooperation on issues of mutual interest.
Established in 2016 within the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, one of the region’s major research institutions, the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies specialises in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and humanitarian response. Its principal areas of activity include interfaith dialogue, Afghanistan-related issues and regional security, post-conflict recovery, and the training of specialists in mediation and international humanitarian law.
Overall, the meetings helped strengthen ISRS’s contacts with its Qatari partners, establish concrete understandings on the development of institutional cooperation, and identify prospects for further expert engagement. These efforts create additional opportunities to promote Uzbekistan’s initiatives on international dialogue platforms and further deepen the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Qatar.
