Over 25 years, the Gulf Research Center has evolved from a small idea into a platform that advances research on the Gulf region, supports critical dialogue, and deepens understanding of key regional issues.
Over 25 years, the Gulf Research Center has evolved from a small idea into a platform that advances research on the Gulf region, supports critical dialogue, and deepens understanding of key regional issues.
Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, Founder and Chairman of the Gulf Research Center, recounts this journey, where knowledge has been built and made accessible to all.
As the Gulf region moves into 2026, it does so against a backdrop of persistent geopolitical tension, strategic uncertainty, and accelerating global change. Long-standing conflicts in Gaza, Yemen, Syria, Libya, and Sudan remain unresolved, while the evolving confrontation between Israel and Iran and the growing sophistication of nonstate actors continue to test regional stability and existing frameworks of deterrence and crisis management. At the same time, intensified great-power competition, shifting alliance structures, and ongoing ambiguity surrounding U.S. policy toward the Middle East, particularly on the Palestinian issue, Iran’s nuclear program, and Gulf security commitments, have reinforced perceptions of a more fluid and less predictable external environment.
The Gulf Research Center (GRC) organized its first session at the Doha Forum 2025 through a joint panel titled “Gulf–EU Relations in the Age of Strategic Isolation,” held on December 6, 2025, in partnership with CIPR, KAS, and ISPI.
The Gulf Research Center (GRC) held its first official session at the Doha Forum 2025 with a joint panel discussion entitled “Gulf–EU Relations in the Age of Strategic Isolation,” which took place on December 6, 2025. The session was organized in partnership with the Center for International Policy Research (CIPR), the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) foundation, and the Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI).
Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman of the Gulf Research Center, participated as a speaker alongside a distinguished group of policymakers and experts, including:
H.E. Dr. Majed Al Ansari, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State of Qatar
Dr. Norbert Röttgen, Member of Parliament and Deputy Head of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group, German Bundestag
Dr. Paolo Magri, President of the Advisory Board, ISPI
The session was moderated by Ms. Caroline Kanter, Deputy Head of Division for European and International Cooperation at the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS).
The discussion examined the evolving global and regional strategic landscape, highlighting the growing unpredictability of decision-making in Washington and its implications for Gulf–EU relations. Panelists also assessed emerging regional challenges and explored practical pathways to strengthen Gulf–EU cooperation, including mediation initiatives, strategic dialogue, and approaches to navigating the shifting global order.
The session underscored the importance of sustained engagement and strategic coordination between the Gulf states and the European Union amid increasing geopolitical uncertainty.
The Gulf Research Center (GRC) will participate as a Partner Organization at the Doha Forum 2025, convening four sessions in collaboration with international partners.
December 6, 2025
- Gulf–EU Relations in the Age of Strategic Isolation
- Shifting Power Balances: Navigating Security in the Gulf
- GCC–Latin America Relations: New Pathways for Economic Growth and Strategic Cooperation
December 8, 2025
Promoting Dialogues on Global Co-Existence
On December 2, 2025, the Gulf Labour Markets, Migration, and Population (GLMM) Program of the Gulf Research Center (GRC), in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), organized a workshop titled “The Future of Migration to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf: Retaining Foreign Talents and Skills.” The event was held at the GRC’s office in Riyadh.
On December 2, 2025, the Gulf Labour Markets, Migration, and Population (GLMM) Program of the Gulf Research Center (GRC), jointly with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), held a workshop titled “The Future of Migration to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf: Retaining Foreign Talents and Skills” at the GRC headquarters in Riyadh.
The workshop forms part of a multi-year project examining the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) capacity to attract and retain highly skilled migrants, with a specific focus on Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
During the event, researchers presented original findings and policy recommendations were made. Deliberations were held among local and international experts, each representing government institutions, private sector companies, think tanks, and international organizations.
Key Discussion Themes
Experts explored:
- Legal frameworks and administrative procedures shaping skilled migration.
- Highly skilled migrants’ perceptions of opportunities and challenges in the Gulf.
- The importance of livability, career security, and long-term prospects in improving worker retention, noting that retaining talent requires more than immigration policy reforms.
- Participants emphasized that successful talent retention relies on creating a holistic environment that supports professional growth, personal well-being, and long-term stability.
- The project’s 18 publications—summarizing the research findings and recommendations—will be released in January 2026.
