The Role of Qatar in International Mediation and Peacemaking: The Minister of State of Qatar, H.E. Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi Speaks to the Carter School

On Wednesday, May 6th 2026, the Minister of State of Qatar, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, appeared before a gathering of students, alumni, faculty, and partners of the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University at Mason Square in Arlington, Virginia.  As a visionary mediator on the world stage, His Excellency delivered a talk titled “The Role of Qatar in International Mediation and Peacemaking,” in which he detailed the critical considerations for effective mediation and sustainable peace, illustrated with examples of the successes and complexities Qatar has addressed as a neutral mediator.

At a time of heightened political tension in the international community, Dr. Alpaslan Özerdem, Dean of the Carter School, reflected on the importance of the presentation, “Hosting H.E. Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi at the Carter School was both timely and deeply valuable for our community. At a moment when the international system is becoming increasingly fragmented and unpredictable, hearing directly from a practitioner and policy maker operating at the highest levels of international mediation offered a rare opportunity to reflect on how peacemaking itself is evolving. What particularly stood out was the emphasis on trust, persistence, and sustained engagement as the foundations of effective mediation - principles that are becoming ever more critical in today’s conflict environment.”

An experienced mediator familiar with the nuances of global diplomacy, His Excellency was appointed Minister of State in 2023.  Prior to that, he was the Assistant Foreign Minister for Regional Affairs from 2022 to 2023.  Dr. Al-Khulaifi received his Bachelor’s degree in Law from Qatar University and earned his Master’s and PhD degrees in Law at the University of California, Berkeley. He served as Dean of the College of Law at Qatar University, and authored numerous articles and research papers in the field of law.

In his presentation, H.E. Dr. Al-Khulaifi stressed the critical importance of gaining the trust of all parties in the mediation process, based in part on the consent of both parties and respect for the cultures involved.  He went on to identify and define the critical elements that must be considered in modern mediation, including neutrality, a thorough understanding of the root issues, location, and the sustainability of the agreement.  Of these, he identified “sustainability” as one of the most crucial yet difficult to maintain, especially in a complex and politically volatile landscape.  Terms must be clear, and not open to misinterpretation, and mutually agreed-upon mechanisms must be established to provide peaceful recourse when a dispute arises.  Again, he stressed the necessity of communication in challenging conditions.

H.E. Dr. Al-Khulaifi also presented several real-world examples and anecdotes of successes and difficulties he, himself, experienced as a peace practitioner.  He related how, while attending the World Cup, he had been approached by representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo regarding a dispute with Rwanda.  After encouraging the envoys to watch the remainder of the match, they convened at the diplomatic club.  A week later, the parties had an agreement in principle.  His Excellency also reflected on the difficulty in creating a sustainable solution to the presidential power vacuum in Lebanon, Qatar’s work to reunify more than one hundred children with their families in the Ukraine-Russia War, as well as other disputes, including Libya, Afghanistan, Gaza, and Venezuela.

Isabella Cuevas, a Carter School master’s student who graduated in 2025, was deeply impressed by the presentation. “Instead of it being a distant concept, [His Excellency] grounded the work of international mediation, bringing faces and actions to international peacebuilding,” she explained.  She went on to add, “The work being done by Qatar and the academic work being performed at the Carter School shouldn’t be separate; we’re working toward the same goals.”

About the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution

George Mason University’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution is a community of faculty, students, staff, alumni, and partners with a fundamental commitment to building peace. Through the development of cutting-edge theory, research, education, and practical work, we seek to identify and address the underlying causes of conflict and provide tools for ethical and just peacebuilding on the local, national, and global stages.  Learn more at Carterschool.gmu.edu.

About George Mason University

George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls more than 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. In 2023, the university launched Mason Now: Power the Possible, a one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and stewardship. Learn more at gmu.edu.