The New York Times in collaboration with QatarDebate host a debate to discuss global cooperation

Doha – QatarDebate Center

On the sidelines of the 54th World Economic Forum ar Davos under the theme “Rebuilding Trust”, the New York Times in collaboration with QatarDebate – Founded by Qatar Foundation – joined the global conversation by holding a lively debate in Davos titled “This House Believes that Global Cooperation is Dead”, alongside industry experts, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and decision makers on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, in the presence of senior officials, headed by Her Excellency Lolwah Al Khater – Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – and representatives of QatarDebate Center.

Global elites gathered in Davos for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting, which brings together more than 100 governments from around the world and nearly 1,000 of the annual forum’s partners, as well as civil society leaders, experts, youth representatives, social entrepreneurs and the media.

The session opened with speeches from Meredith Kubbitt Levian, CEO of The New York Times and Stephen Johnson, President,International, The New York Times. Abdulrahman Al-Subaie, Programs Director at QatarDebate, said: “Today we meet with a group of speakers to open the door for constructive discussion and enlighten ideas on focusing on strengthening global cooperation for a sustainable future in a dialogue that is not just thought-provoking but reflects ways to address the challenges to shape our world today.”

Alsubaie added: “This important event, which reflects the joint efforts to bring views closer and revive the event through dialogue that can lead us to change and understanding despite what is happening recently in the world.”

“Today, we prove to the world that QatarDebate has succeeded in delivering its message after these years of achievements, expansion, building bridges of cooperation with international institutions for more than 80 countries and involving more than tens of thousands of young people in initiatives and programs.”

The panel discussion was held live in front of the audience and jury, with the participation of international speakers in various fields, The debate was moderated by journalist David Gelles, Managing Correspondent, Climate Forward, The New York Times.

The session witnessed open discussions between supporters and opponents of the topic at hand, during which the paneliats discussed how to restore confidence in global cooperation that has begun to collapse and ways to restore the trust.

Panelists also touched on the importance of bringing the views of all parties closer together by presenting the latest developments in science, industry and society. The jury consisted of Al Gore, former U.S. Vice President, Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and Andrew Liveris, former Chairman and CEO of Dow Chemical.

What distinguishes this debate is that all the speakers are women: Alaa Murabit – Director, Program Advocacy and Communications, Health of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Betty Osei Bonsu – Country Manager at Green Africa Youth Organization, Rachel Kyte – Visiting professor of practice at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. Co-Chair VCMI and Director of The Public Infrastructure Development Group, Prof. Mariana Mazzucato – Professor in the Economics of Innovation and Public Value at University College London, Sandrine Dixon-Decleve – Co-President at The Club of Rome, and Halla Tómasdóttir – CEO and Chief Change Catalyst at The B Team.

The session ended with a majority vote that “global cooperation still exists and is not dead” but with the drafting of some laws on reforms.