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
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.
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.
The Gulf Research Center (GRC) is pleased to announce that we are accepting applications for the 16th annual Gulf Research Meeting (GRM). GRM 2026 will take place in Cambridge, UK from July 21-23, 2026.
GRM 2026 workshops cover a wide range of topics in the fields of politics, economics, environment, culture, energy, security, and the social sciences as they relate to the GCC states and the wider Gulf region.
For the descriptions of workshops and other information, please visit https://gulfresearchmeeting.net
The GRM 2026 poster is available here:
https://gulfresearchmeeting.net/w/GRM2026-CallPaperPoster.pdf
The deadline for applications and to submit an abstract is January 5, 2026.
All applications should be submitted on the official online application found at: https://gulfresearchmeeting.net/register-paper-user
Submit any questions to: grm@grc.net
We are looking forward to receiving your application. Please share this announcement with colleagues in your network!
The Gulf Research Center (GRC), in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, concluded the joint seminar on strengthening future cooperation between the Gulf and Korea. The event served as a platform for policymakers, business leaders, and researchers to explore opportunities for collaboration and advance the strategic partnership between the GCC countries and Korea.
The Gulf Research Center (GRC), in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, successfully concluded the joint seminar on Strengthening Future Cooperation between the Gulf and Korea. The seminar brought together policymakers, business leaders, and researchers from both regions, providing a valuable forum for exchanging insights, identifying joint project opportunities, and reinforcing the strategic partnership between Korea and the GCC in addressing current and emerging challenges.
Discussions focused on enhancing mutual understanding of the opportunities and constraints facing both regions amid rapidly evolving technological advancements and energy transitions. Participants examined ways to build a practical roadmap for joint initiatives, policy recommendations, and long-term cooperation mechanisms that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable growth.
On November 18, 2025, Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman of the Gulf Research Center (GRC), received a delegation from the Association Réalités et Relations Internationales (ARRI), led by its Chairman, Mr. Jean Thierry Augustin, at the GRC headquarters in Riyadh. The meeting focused on regional developments and areas of mutual interest.
On November 18, 2025, Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman of the Gulf Research Center (GRC), welcomed a delegation from the Association Réalités et Relations Internationales (ARRI) at the GRC office in Riyadh. The delegation was led by Mr. Jean Thierry Augustin, Founder and Chairman of ARRI’s Board, accompanied by senior members of the association.
During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on recent regional developments and discussed areas of shared interest, including pathways for strengthening cooperation, enhancing policy dialogue, and promoting joint research initiatives.
The visit underscored the value of continued engagement between GRC and international institutions, contributing to a deeper understanding of regional issues and fostering collaborative opportunities in research and strategic studies.
