Doha

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani became the Emir of Qatar on June 27, 1995, after deposing his father in a bloodless palace coup. This significant political event transformed Doha's international profile and initiated a period of intense development, resulting in Qatar's increased strategic importance and visibility on the global stage.

The Doha Round of World Trade Organization negotiations began in November 2001 in the capital of Qatar, aiming to enhance international trade and economic growth for developing countries. It sought to lower trade barriers and revise trade rules through multilateral discussions. The round was marked by complex negotiations on agriculture, services, and industrial products, demonstrating Doha's capacity as a host for significant international discourse.

Doha hosted the 15th Asian Games from December 1 to December 15, 2006. This was a major multi-sport event which saw the participation of 45 nations. The city built several new facilities for the event, including the Khalifa Stadium, the Aspire Sports Academy, and sports villages, marking a significant investment in infrastructure and sporting facilities.

On December 2, 2010, Qatar was awarded the hosting rights for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the first time this prestigious event was to be held in the Middle East. Doha, being a central city in Qatar, prepared for a major transformation with new infrastructure and stadiums. Winning the bid set off a decade-long preparation period that involved widespread construction and global attention on Qatar's readiness and ability to host such a large international event.

In December 2012, Doha was the venue for the COP 18 climate change conference, making it a focal point for global environmental policy dialogue. The conference resulted in a new commitment period to the Kyoto Protocol and highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change. Delegates over 190 countries participated, presenting their commitments to cutting emissions.

The International Conference on Financing for Development, which took place in Doha in 2014, resulted in the Doha Declaration. This event emphasized the importance of financing sustainable development and combating global poverty, while strengthening international cooperation. It addressed key financial and economic issues such as public and private financing, trade, foreign direct investment, and systemic issues.

The Global Security Forum in Doha in May 2015 brought together experts and leaders to discuss pressing global security challenges such as terrorism, cybersecurity, and regional conflicts. The event showcased Qatar's role as a convening power for international dialogue and cooperation on security issues of global concern, and demonstrated Doha's growing influence in facilitating high-level discussions amongst world leaders and policy makers.

Doha hosted the 2018 ILO Regional Conference, highlighting Qatar's efforts to address workers' rights and labor reforms. The conference provided a platform for dialogue around compliance with international labor standards. It also aimed at shedding light on Qatar's labor law reforms, including changes to the sponsorship system, which previously restricted workers' rights and freedoms.

On February 29, 2019, a peace agreement between the United States and the Taliban was signed in Doha. The agreement included commitments to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan, prevent terrorist activities on Afghan soil, and commence peace talks within Afghanistan. This marked a significant step towards ending the long-running conflict in Afghanistan and emphasized Doha as an important diplomatic hub in the Middle East.

The FIFA World Cup 2022 was held in Qatar, with Doha being a central location for the tournament. It marked the first World Cup ever to be held in November and December to avoid the extreme heat of Qatar's summer months. The event spanned from November 20 to December 18, 2022. It was also notable for the first time that 32 teams qualify for the tournament under this format before expanding to 48 in 2026.