Soufan Foundation & Qatar International Academy for Security Studies
October 2019. Doha, St. Regis Hotel
Established in 2018, the Global Security Forum is an annual international gathering bringing together a multi-disciplinary network of experts, practitioners, and policy-makers from government, security, academia, media, entertainment, international organizations, the humanitarian sector, the private sector and beyond to discuss the world’s most pressing security issues. This invitation-only event provides a unique platform for international stakeholders to convene and offer solutions that address the international community’s leading security challenges.
The 2019 Global Security Forum took place on October 15 & 16 at the St. Regis hotel in Doha, Qatar. The two-day conference explored the security challenges posed by the proliferation of modern disinformation and the serious implications this has on an increasingly interconnected world.
The nexus between disinformation and technological advances has produced an unprecedented threat landscape, which requires a whole-of-society approach. The global effects of disinformation – whether via organized campaigns that influence elections or policy decisions, or via misinformation given to individuals or groups engaging in violent acts of perceived retribution – have become common and persistent security threats. All nations are dealing with this phenomenon. Private and non-profit organizations are dealing with the effects as well. Relying solely on governments or the private sector alone to counter disinformation, however, will not work; it is imperative to convene an open dialogue in a multi-stakeholder environment to develop comprehensive solutions.
The 2019 Forum convened officials and experts from across the world, including government, technology platforms, media, advertising & marketing agencies, social media, academia, think tanks, and international organizations, among others. The program was opened by His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior for the State of Qatar. Speakers included Defense Ministers, Ambassadors, legal analysts and news correspondents from over 40 countries.
The two days included moderated panel discussions, workshops, keynote presentations and fireside chats. Empire was responsible for all production support, speaker logistics, speaker, staff & attendee travel & accommodations, food & beverage, credentialing, press support, and graphics. The entire conference was webcast on MSNBC and Al Jazeera with over 10 news agencies sharing the press platform.
Empire also produced a gala dinner on the first night of the conference. The dinner was sponsored by Qatar Airways, with His Excellency, Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways in attendance. The evening began with a reception that included an Oud player, calligrapher, henna tattoo artist, and live falcon. The dinner was a formal 3-course plated dinner, with a live local jazz band.
Empire is a leading producer of international conferences and has worked extensively throughout the Middle East and Gulf Region.