In the Name of God, The Most Compassionate, The Most Merciful
Your Excellencies,
Honourable Audience,
      It gives me pleasure to meet with you today at the opening of Doha Fifth Forum on Democracy and Free Trade which we are happy to see has turned into an effective gathering that attracted competent participants from tens of countries and evolved into a specialized international platform that discusses issues of democratic development and economic freedom.
      If one recalls the time when this forum was launched five years ago, one would realize that its concept did not come out of the blue nor was it the result of intellectual luxury but was an anticipation of what we saw and still see to be the natural future political and economic development in our region.
      Five years ago, the talk about the freedom of trade or democracy in the Middle East was not the same as it is today. Yesterday, few voices were betting on the birth of a democratic era in the region. Today, however, there are people who are hopeful that the count down for this era has actually begun after new supporters joined the march to reform, and potential features of change are looming in the horizon that need thinkers and experts, many of whom I see here today, among us to peruse them and propose the adequate means to maintain and promote them to fulfill the aspirations of the peoples of the region to have their natural rights to popular participation, and even to participation in the international affairs on the basis of mutual understanding and communication with the family of nations.
Honorable Audience,
      A year ago, during the fourth session of this forum, I indicated that the lagging behind of democracy in our region and the prevalence of anger and frustration were not born from the womb of the Palestinian cause which was often used as a screen behind which all those who tried to evade democratic requirements were hiding.
      Today, the Palestinian people by resorting to democratic methods and proceeding with the peaceful settlement at the same time have proved that the quest for reform and peace in the region can go side by side without contradiction or clash.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
      The change towards democracy and free economy could never be completed unless it rests on a serious will for reform that is aware of its importance and is not content with introducing partial amendments to avert criticism, or alleviate a pressure but seeks to meet the requirements of political and economic progress of accepting diversity of opinions and adopting a constitutional framework that reflects the popular will and recognizing the right to participation through suitable regulatory framework, in addition to establishing a modern economic base that provides the citizens with equal opportunities and open horizons.
      While transition to democracy and the market economy in our region has gained some momentum over the past period, the desired winds have not fully blown into its sails specially as the experiences of political progress and economic liberation are always hindered by problems and met with challenges that require preparing the society to cope with the consequences and responsibilities of change.
      During the past years, we in Qatar faced some of these challenges and were confronted with problems which we strive to overcome so that the reform experience in our country could reach its desired end. While our economic system is continuing its march to modernization in accordance with the market mechanisms which require full application of transparency, our legal system is watchful against any transgressions that are contrary to the true traditions of the society, or do not fit in Qatar’s experience today, nor with the transparent economic system that is based on equity and accountability which it seeks to establish in the future.
      It is not permissible at any time, nor at this time when our economy is heading to prove its capability, regionally as well as internationally, to turn a blind eye to any deviations or violations resulting from ignorance or committed unintentionally or on any other pretext.
      In this respect, we strive to build an integrated culture for change which we are keen to consolidate and propagate through improving the educational institutions, finalizing the basic legislations, enabling institutions of legal supervision to carry out their tasks through the daily fair and candid practices, because it is the proper way to prepare the society and encourage its members to be endowed with the spirit of responsibility in dealing with the fruits of the economic boom we have begun reaping, which is the right of all and which makes the citizen feel he is a serious partner in the development efforts and hence bears his duties and responsibilities in the same way that he enjoys all the rights guaranteed for him by the constitution. The creation of such a culture is not that simple, yet it is a must.
      Democracy as we envisage for our country and wish for our region is not achieved by measures written on papers or institutions forcibly established. It is a culture that encourages society to abandon obsolete ideas and abide by the rule of law. The free economy as we understand it is not a favor bestowed upon citizens by the State, nor is it achieved by raising the standard of living attained by the individual without effort, but it is a way of living that goes beyond supply and demand calculations to total compliance with the balance of rights and duties.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
      The process of reform and democratic structure cannot be separated from changes at the international economic arena, specially those relating to the pre-requisites of economic development in the developing countries, after we have begun to see the overlapping of national and international economies that some times causes unprecedented local, regional and international challenges. It is difficult today to differentiate between the local and international citizen, or to know where the national economy ends and where the world economy begins. This is a problem that I invite you to look into carefully, especially that the role of the World Trade Organization has gained utmost importance in linking local and international economies, and is immensely influencing the reform efforts in more than one place.
      The State of Qatar had a share in the activity of this Organization when Doha hosted the Ministerial Conference of The World Trade Organization in November 2001, out of its belief that to develop the national economy it should build bridges with its wider international surrounding. The Doha Round was able to cover a significant range of issues that concern many developing countries and which are related to the future of their economic, political and social development.
Honorable Audience,
      You have before you rich and comprehensive agenda which shows the concern of the participants to understand the present and foresee horizons of the future. This is not new of this forum. Five years ago, discussions and expectations were raised, some of which are still materializing. This makes me ask you today to look once again into the shape of the prospective future over the coming years. The future is not what takes place tomorrow but what begins today.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I welcome you in Doha and wish your conference all success.

May the peace, the mercy and the blessings of God be upon you.