Doha Forum And Qatar Fund for Development Co-Host Panel on Economic Resilience at Astana International Forum

ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN, 31 May 2025
Doha Forum, in partnership with Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), co-hosted a high-level panel at the Astana International Forum (AIF) 2025, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen economic resilience in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and developing economies amid mounting global pressures.
The session, titled “Securing the Future: Advancing Economic Stability in a Shifting World,” brought together global leaders, financial experts and policymakers to explore how vulnerable economies can adapt to a rapidly evolving global landscape marked by geopolitical fragmentation, post-pandemic recovery challenges, and widening inequality.
Opening the session, Maha Al-Kuwari, General Manager of Doha Forum, emphasized the importance of inclusive and collaborative strategies in navigating today’s intersecting crises. “Our world stands at a decisive crossroads,” said Maha Al-Kuwari. “Securing the future requires solutions that are not just robust, but inclusive. Stability means ensuring that developing economies are not only able to recover — but equipped to thrive through equitable partnerships, resilient systems, and policies that leave no one behind.”
Rwodah Al-Naimi, Investments Department Manager at QFFD, stated, “Building on the momentum of the high-level session, QFFD reaffirms the importance of sustainable and innovative financing solutions to address the complex challenges facing Least Developed Countries. Multilateral cooperation and strategic partnerships are essential to creating inclusive, long-term impact. By advancing locally driven solutions and unlocking catalytic capital through instruments like blended finance and results-based funding, we can empower communities, promote economic self-reliance, and drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals—ensuring no one is left behind.”
The panel was moderated by Dr. Andrei Mikhnev, Country Manager for Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan at the World Bank, and featured a distinguished lineup of speakers:
• H.E. Timur Suleimenov, Governor, National Bank of Kazakhstan
• Dr. Antonella Bassani, Vice President for Europe and Central Asia, World Bank Group
• Ms. Rwodah Al-Naimi, Investments Department Manager at Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD)
• Ms. Marie-Hélène Berard, Independent Director, Member of the Board of Directors at NMH Baiterek JSC
The high-level dialogue reaffirmed the central role of multilateralism and innovative financing in advancing economic resilience. Through this collaboration, Doha Forum and the Qatar Fund for Development reaffirm their commitment to fostering meaningful global dialogue, promoting sustainable and inclusive development solutions, and ensuring that the priorities of developing and least developed countries remain at the heart of international cooperation efforts.
As part of its engagement at AIF 2025, Doha Forum signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize the Astana International Forum as a strategic content partner. The agreement includes plans for collaboration including co-organized sessions at the 23rd edition of Doha Forum, which will take place in Doha on 6–7 December 2025 under the theme “Justice in Action: Beyond Promises to Progress.”

• Geography Kazakhstan
• Timeline 2025