Tokyo, Japan, 7 October 2026 - Dr. Ghassan Elkahlout, Director of the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies (CHS), delivered a keynote address at Sophia University in Tokyo as part of the university's United Nations Weeks October 2026 programme. The symposium brought together academics and policy practitioners to discuss Qatar's mediation efforts and the future of mediation in the Middle East.
As the keynote speaker for the symposium titled “Challenges of Mediation by Qatar: The Wars in Iran, Gaza, and Afghanistan," Dr. Elkahlout presented his analysis of Qatar's experience as a small-state mediator and the challenges facing mediation in an increasingly complex regional environment. In his keynote he focused on the evolution of Qatar's mediation role, drawing on cases from Afghanistan, Gaza, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the 2026 Iran war, highlighting both the opportunities and structural challenges for mediators.
Dr. Elkahlout outlined five pillars of Qatar's approach to mediation: constitutional commitment, impartiality and trust, strategic reach, long-term commitment, and the ability to maintain channels with diverse actors. He also discussed how Qatar's approach to conflict resolution has been influnced by some of the country's cultural traditions of hospitality, reconciliation, and communal support. He highlighted that Qatar's role in mediation fits with the wider context of Qatar's constitutional commitment to peaceful dispute resolution, and traditions such as sulh (reconciliation) and majlis. Limits of mediation were also discussed, drawing on the cases of Afghanistan and Gaza, where Dr. Elkahlout emphasised that access and negotiated agreements alone do not guarantee durable peace. Effective monitoring, verification, and enforcement are necessary to translate commitments into sustained outcomes.
The event brought together academics and policy practitioners from Japan, and provided a platform for dialogue on what Qatar and Japan can learn from each other in supporting peace and conflict resolution. The event was opened by initial remarks by Mr. Akihiro Tsuji, Deputy Director-General of the Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau at Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Masayuki Akahori, Professor and Vice President in charge of Academic Affairs at Sophia University. Dr. Akahori was also a commentator, and Professor Daisaku Higashi, Professor and Director of the Sophia Institute of International Relations, served as commentator, planner and moderator.
Dr. Elkahlout's participation reflects Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies' continued engagement with international academic and policy institutions on conflict mediation, peacebuilding, and humanitarian affairs.