Qatar proposes 'Thriving States' bloc to bolster global peace

Qatar's foreign minister proposed on Friday a new label, 'Thriving States,' for small nations that have turned their size into an advantage, Turkey's state-run news agency Anadolu Agency reported.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani described such countries as agile, stable and trusted, and made the proposal at the Oxford Union.

He argued that these states, having become key contributors to global prosperity, are well placed to play a similar role in international peace through a collective and structured approach rather than individual action.

He warned that smaller states are increasingly the first to suffer in conflicts they did not start.

"Thriving States cannot resolve these challenges alone, nor replace great powers," he said.

He said that by pooling their expertise, economic capabilities and diplomatic networks, these states could help build and maintain a "supply chain of peace and stability."

"We cannot outsource our stability, nor should we surrender to inaction," he added.

On the war between the United States and Iran, he said Doha has worked with US administration officials who have genuine intentions to contain the situation and de-escalate it.

He said efforts continue to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control, and credited "some wise voices in Tehran" with helping keep it from escalating further.

He said the recent election in Iran may affect its policies in the future, but not its intentions.

Addressing the pace of diplomacy, he said it is "not as active as it was a few days ago," but that Qatar's engagement will not stop.

"We will never have a perfect peace deal, but we cannot just wait for this moment of a perfect deal," he said.