A SIGNIFICANT event took place a few months ago that made no news in Guyana, and that was the elevation of Guyana’s image and presence in the Persian Gulf region and amongst the 84 countries that participated in the Doha Forum. Guyana’s Middle East Envoy, George Hallaq represented Guyana at this year’s Doha Forum that was held in May in the Qatari capital. Earlier in the year, in February, Hallaq was in Doha to deliver a letter to Sheikh Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar from Guyana’s President Donald Ramotar.
Besides using the forum to expand Guyana/Qatar bilateral ties, Hallaq used the occasion to court the private sector to participate in the first Caribbean Gulf Forum to be held in Guyana this coming November.
The international guests of honour in this year’s Doha Forum included President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka and former President of Senegal and current Secretary General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie, Abdou Diouf.
The Doha Forum 2012 is the 12th edition of this Forum and takes place in the presence of Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar.
The Forum was organised by Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was attended by more than 610 participants representing 84 countries and organizations, featured very high-profile personalities, eminent political leaders, decision-makers and members of parliament, renowned businessmen, academics, media figures and experts, as well as representatives of  civil society and regional and international organisations.
Guyana was the only Caribbean country that participated in the event.