The principle of concord; a harmonious coexistence based on regional will and action
Saeed Khatibzadeh
The 2025 Tehran Dialogue Forum convenes at a moment of deep global uncertainty. Across regions, the assumptions that once sustained international order—predictable alliances, stable institutions, and shared norms—are eroding. Geopolitical rivalry, economic fragmentation, climate disruption, and technological upheaval are reshaping the global landscape in unpredictable ways. In this context, the theme of this year’s conference—“Regional Agency in Global (Dis)Order: Discord or Concord?”—asks a vital and urgent question: What role can West Asia play in shaping the world that comes next?
The stylized use of “(Dis)Order” reflects the dual reality of our time. What was once referred to as a global order now appears increasingly disordered—not only in the visible breakdown of multilateral systems, but in the way many regions experience the so-called order as exclusionary, destabilizing, or imposed. For some, the old rules no longer apply; for others, they never did. The term signals both the disintegration of inherited arrangements and the possibility of constructing something more just, inclusive, and regionally grounded in their place.
This global fluidity demands a reframing of West Asia’s role within it. For too long, the region has been viewed merely as a theater of conflict and great power rivalry. But this perception belies its deep civilizational heritage, dynamic societies, and enduring traditions of statecraft. The time has come for West Asia to assert itself—not as an arena for external designs, but as a proactive force for regional transformation.
At the heart of this vision lies the principle of concord—harmonious coexistence rooted in regional agency. Concord does not imply the erasure of difference or complexity. It is the recognition that diversity can be reconciled through shared principles, inclusive dialogue, and cooperative frameworks. In a world where major powers seek to impose order through coercion or dependency, West Asia must advance its own indigenous model—grounded in cultural affinities, shared values, and a collective commitment to peace and development.
But translating this vision into reality requires more than aspiration. It demands courage, creativity, and coordination. It calls for a shift away from short-term, transactional diplomacy toward long-range strategic thinking. It also requires institutional innovation—through new regional mechanisms for conflict resolution, economic integration, and joint development. And it calls for the intellectual humility to learn from past failures, as well as the foresight to design future-oriented solutions.
The Tehran Dialogue Forum is designed to rethink this strategic shift. It is more than a diplomatic event—it is a curated space for deep reflection, serious debate, and long-term thinking. It invites policymakers, scholars, and regional actors to engage with the turbulence of the present while daring to imagine what should come next. Through keynote speeches, focused panels, and bilateral exchanges, one message emerges: West Asia must reclaim its role as a driver of regional agency and cooperative order.
To do so, the region must engage foundational questions head-on. What does sovereignty mean in an age of interdependence and algorithmic influence? How can regional states transcend the logic of security dilemmas and build a security community based on mutual recognition? What roles can small and medium-sized powers play in shaping a fair and multipolar architecture? And how can long-delayed justice in Palestine, unity in Syria, and sustainable development in Afghanistan be pursued through collective regional agency?
This gathering is therefore devoted to both diagnosis and design. It seeks not only to understand the sources of our shared challenges but also to lay the intellectual groundwork for a more cooperative and self-determined regional future. It calls on West Asia’s diplomats, thinkers, and leaders to move beyond inherited paradigms—toward new compacts, renewed cooperation, and a shared path forward.
As the world drifts into a landscape of fragmentation and flux, the nations of this region must respond with clarity, ambition, and unity. The future is not predetermined. It is to be shaped—by those bold enough to imagine it, and wise enough to build it.
In parallel with this year’s forum, we are proud to present a companion booklet that extends the conversation beyond the panels and into the pages. This collection brings together a distinguished group of Iranian diplomats, thinkers, and strategists who offer diverse yet converging perspectives on the contours of the emerging order. Their essays interrogate the crises of the present—from the failure of sanctions to reshape global behavior, to the erosion of Europe’s normative credibility in the face of atrocities in Gaza—and propose constructive, regionally grounded alternatives.
Across the texts, a shared call resounds: for a new model of regional agency, cooperative sovereignty, and multipolar engagement that is neither reactive nor subordinate. Whether exploring the civilizational logic behind Iran’s strategic pivot, assessing the flaws of coercive power, or proposing indigenous frameworks for security in the Persian Gulf, the contributors make a compelling case for pathways to a new order.
This publication would not have been possible without the vision and determination of Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, whose leadership and unwavering commitment to fostering regional dialogue made the Tehran Dialogue Forum a reality. His dedication to bringing the region together has been the driving force behind this initiative.
Special thanks are also owed to Reza Nasri, whose tireless efforts were instrumental in assembling this volume—from collecting contributions and editing drafts to translating key texts. His dedication and meticulous work were indispensable at every stage of the process.
We also extend our gratitude to each author who contributed to this booklet. Regardless of their political preferences, each has engaged in thoughtful analysis and brought forward their perspectives in a spirit of intellectual openness and regional responsibility.
In keeping with the conventions of academic and policy-oriented publications—and to prevent any conflation between individual viewpoints and institutional positions—I conclude by emphasizing that the views expressed in this booklet are solely those of the contributing authors and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) or the Tehran Dialogue Forum (TDF).
