9 December 2024, Doha, Qatar - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and ADN Group successfully hosted Doha World Negotiation Day 2024, in partnership with Doha Forum.
This year’s Doha World Negotiation Day (DWND) provided a platform of discourse for key leaders, diplomats and experts to engage in high-level discussions on the current challenges and strategies of international negotiation and conflict resolution. Discussing the role of 'International Negotiation in an Age of Disruption' and 'The Complexities of Bilateral Negotiations', the event reinforced the importance of negotiation skills in todays increasingly volatile, uncertain and interconnected world. The new setting in Doha exemplified UNITAR’s and ADN Group’s commitment to enhancing global dialogue and fostering practical international cooperation in negotiation.
The day concluded with the presentation of the 'Doha Best Negotiator of the Year 2024' Award to Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, in recognition of her exceptional contributions to diplomacy and international cooperation. UNITAR, ADN Group, and the Doha Forum extend their heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Grynspan.
About the Winner
Ms. Rebeca Grynspan has demonstrated a strong commitment to human rights, dignity, and equality in her negotiations. Currently serving as Secretary-General of the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), her previous roles spans from being Vice-President of Costa Rica, to being the Director of the Subregional Headquarters in Mexico of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). Notably, Ms. Grynspan has played an important part in Istanbul agreements, which include the Black Sea Initiative and the United Nations Memorandum of Understanding with the Russian Federation. The UN-brokered Black Sea Initiative agreed by Russia, Türkiye, and Ukraine has allowed millions of tons of grain and other foodstuffs to leave Ukraine’s ports, playing an indispensable role in global food security. As of 12 July 2023, 33 million tons of grain have crossed the Black Sea. Signed on 27 July, 2022 in Istanbul, the deal paves the way for Ukrainian grain, foodstuffs and fertilizer to reach global markets to help stabilize food prices worldwide and stave off famine in lower income countries. The initiative specifically allows for significant volumes of commercial food exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea – Odesa, Chornomorsk, Yuzhny. Throughout the negotiations, Ms. Grynspan upheld ethical standards, protected human rights, and took a precautionary approach to environmental challenges, ensuring equitable solutions for all parties involved. It is with utmost pleasure that we had the honour of presenting the award to Ms. Rebeca Grynspan.
Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, winner of the 'Doha Best Negotiator of the Year 2024' Award, stressing the importance of negotiation in her acceptance speech:
Negotiation is the art of closing gaps, bringing people together, building bridges and of making peace happen. It is the most urgent art in the most urgent times all around the world. (...) Power without negotiation cannot build anything, shelter the homeless, fight climate change, tackle poverty or achieve sustainable development. We must never give up on diplomacy and the possibility of negotiation. We must never give up in pursuit of a better, more peaceful, more just, and more sustainable world.
Doha World Negotiation Day offered a platform for participants to explore the shifting dynamics of global affairs through insightful discussions. It emphasized the critical role of negotiation and mediation in addressing contemporary challenges, including power imbalances, time constraints, cultural differences, and communication barriers in bilateral negotiations. The event reaffirmed the importance of multilateral diplomacy as a vital tool for bridging divides and promoting peace and prosperity worldwide.
Featuring two expert-led roundtables, the event witnessed diverse discourse on the role of negotiation in the international climate.
Beginning with the topic of ‘International Negotiation in an Age of Disruption’, speakers H.E. Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, Mr. Miguel Bautista and Mr. Ahmed Essa Al-Sulaiti emphasised how rising geopolitical tensions, economic shifts and technological advances have demanded adaptive strategies, skills and mindsets from the worlds negotiators.
Proceeding with a roundtable on ‘The Complexity of Bilateral Negotiations’, speakers Ms. Joelle Germanier, Mr. Kirk Kinnell and Mr. Julien Morel emphasised the impact of power imbalances, shifting circumstances and communication barriers on the success of outcomes.
Mr. Rabih El-Haddad, Director of the Division for Multilateral Diplomacy at UNITAR:
Annually, this prestigious event unites the world’s most renowned contributors to peaceful negotiations, conflict resolution and inequality reduction. This event is the fourth edition and it’s the first time this event has been implemented in Doha. (...) Hosting this event in Doha is not a mere coincidence. Qatar has become a powerhouse for preventive diplomacy, mediation and peaceful settlement of disputes through negotiations. By hosting this high-level event in the beautiful city of Doha, Qatar gives a clear signal of its commitment towards multilateral diplomacy and international negotiation.
For media inquiries, please contact Ms. Alicia Göckel, alicia.gockel@unitar.org.
Note to Editors: Photos from the event are available upon request. Interviews with key participants can be arranged through the provided media contact information.