The ‘Strategic Outlook 2025’ the GRC aim to discuss the possibilities, emerging trends, and examine key priorities shaping the Gulf region's future, including regional security, economic diversification, and the development of international partnerships.
This webinar aims to address the pressing challenges, and identify untapped opportunities for fostering regional stability. ➡️You can register in advance for this webinar under the following link: https://grc-net.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_obKcsvpASMmpbWaCEGiAsg
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea and the Gulf Research Center (GRC) is organizing the upcoming Korea-GCC Cooperation Seminar, which will take place tomorrow in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
“A week-long intensive program focusing on strategic aspects of the Arab Gulf.”
This immersive program is ideal for diplomats, business leaders, academics, government officials, and media professionals interested in gaining comprehensive insights into the Gulf region's political, economic, and social dynamics.
To apply for the program, a completed online application form must be submitted to the Gulf Research Center. The deadline for registration is three months before the program date.
Gulf Studies Symposium
March 4 & 5, 2024
Conference
Washington, DC
On the sidelines of the GCC-ASEAN Summit, scheduled to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 20, 2023, the Gulf Research Center (GRC) organized a workshop entitled (Relations between the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and ASEAN countries)
Issues: Status of Relations, Priorities, Development of Cooperation
The Gulf Research Center (GRC) will hold a webinar on the ‘Repercussions of the Crisis in Palestine-Israel: An Initial Assessment’. The webinar will feature key experts from the GRC:
The experts will discuss the following questions: - How does the conflict affect the region and abroad? - What are the political, security, and economic impacts? - What role can the international community play in ending the conflict? - What does this mean for the US/Saudi/Israel talks, and the normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel? - What are the reactions from the Gulf? The EU? The US?
The upcoming dates for GRM 2023 will take place from July 11-13th
GRM 2022 Meeting
The Gulf Research Center (GRC) organized a Policy Forum that addressed a range of policy issues related to the Gulf region. The Forum outlined the main findings of the Gulf Strategic Analysis 2022 report by the research team of the GRC. This report provided an overview of the regional developments during the past 12 months. At the forum, the key findings were discussed in two panel sessions focusing on the key current political/security and economic/energy policy issues impacted with the Gulf region. Show more
The GRC is co-hosting an open dialogue with Major Groups on Stockholm+50. Major Groups (constituencies) play a key role
in shaping environmental and sustainability
agendas. They bring new ideas to the table
and discussions. It is very important that Major
Groups talk to each otherʼs as well as talk to
various stakeholders (business, science,
media, governments, etc.) globally. Only by
open dialogue humanity can agree on
collective actions to overcome the various
environmental crisis that we are facing today
and make sure that humanity is on the right
sustainability track.
The objective of this event is to have an open
dialogue session on various
topics/themes/dialogues related to
Stockholm+50 between global Major Groups,
local CSOs, environmental activists, media,
businesses, science, and governments.
The main purpose is to give different major
groups a space to express their opinions,
voices, concerns, and experiences and present
their key messages to Stockholm+50.
Dr. Abdulaziz participated in Session 1 of Tafahum 2nd Annual Conference: The Path Towards a Regional Security Process for WAAP Region: Obstacles and Opportunities at the end of 2020
The Gulf Research Center is organizing a
digital roundtable discussion on October 28, which will address "The
Future of the Gulf Economies in the Age of Sparsity".
We have invited a diverse panel of experts to give their perspectives on the subjects of fiscal sustainability and debt, business attractiveness and FDI, and diversification efforts and the role of the state.
The discussion will answer the following questions:
· How will
the gulf economies manage small budgets that will be defined through a new
fiscal contract with business and society?
· Will a new
social contract be devised in light of the new fiscal realities?
· How will
the region manage to attract international investor appetite?
· Can the
local private sectors carry the burdens of investment?
· What is
the role of the State and the private sector in the next decade?
· Is diversification a possibility in the coming years?
The discussion will be moderated by Dr. John Sfakianakis, Chief Economist and Head of Research at the Gulf Research Center.
The event will take place from 9am-11am Pacific Time (7pm-9pm Riyadh time)
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KDsCj6rFQtuRMRM4t9cl-Q
For any other event-related questions,
please contact the meeting coordinator, Ms. Al-Anoud Khalifah at
alanoud@grc.net.
The second workshop for WG1 was a hybrid event entitled 'From Shared Challenges to Joint Venture: How the Energy Market and Entrepreneurial Initiatives have been Impacted by and Emerge from the COVID-19 Pandemic". This workshop focused on the ongoing economic transformation and energy diversification in conjunction with the COVID-19 pandemic
The Gulf Research Center is organizing a digital roundtable discussion on September 28, which will address the question “Should GCC national oil companies target net zero emissions by 2050?”
Oil industry leaders Shell and BP have both officially announced their targets to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, including for their “Scope 3 emissions,” i.e. those emissions caused by the use of their products. Should GCC national oil companies follow in their footsteps? While other European companies are moving in that direction, US-based ones are not.
We have invited a diverse panel of experts to give their perspectives on this question, and at the end of the session we will hold a virtual vote to measure the views of the audience.
The discussion, which will be held under the Chatham House Rule, will be moderated by Prof. Giacomo Luciani.
The event will take place from 16:00-17:30 Riyadh Time. We kindly request that you confirm your attendance no later than Thursday, September 21.
Register in advance for this webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_s13eIIwETdmMrVkh-55A-Q
Please note that this is a closed discussion.
For any other event-related questions, please contact the meeting coordinator, Ms. Al-Anoud Khalifah at alanoud@grc.net.
Dr. John Sfakianakis, GRC Head of Economic Research Program will be speaking at the Mashora Group September 24th, 2020 webinar entitled "MENA POST COVID" Economic Recovery & China's Role."
This is the second workshop of the Tafahum WG2 "Environmental Issues and Climate Change in WAAP", which was held as a semi-virtual event on 22-23 September 2020 in Bonn, Germany. This working group was in cooperation with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Two key topics were addressed. The first session discussed the latest developments of COVID-19, its impact on all countries of the region as well as its repercussions for environmental issues, in addition, the discussions also focused on the interconnectivity of environmental and health challenges and how to approach this nexus. The second session was dedicated to the topic of water security. water management as key challenges in the region and governance.
Dr. Abdulaziz, Chairman of the Gulf Research Center will be speaking at the e-Policy Circle 12 organised by the Beirut Institute on the theme of 'Stability Redefined' on Wednesday July 22, 2020 2:00pm GMT http://www.beirutinstitute.org/
The first virtual roundtable in the Tafahum Working Group 1 will focus on economic transformations and questions of energy diversification in conjunction with Covid-19 pandemic in West Asia and the Arabian Peninsula
The third Virtual Roundtable for the Tafahum peoject, focusing on the interrelations between COVID-19 and climate change & ways of boosting regional cooperation on measures to help curb severe effects of climate change
The first Virtual Roundtable for the Tafahum project on the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the regional order
The Gulf Research Center, in its mission to produce high quality research and analysis on the Gulf region, will therefore be holding a closed webinar discussion in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, held under the Chatham House Rule, which will focus specifically on how the COVID-19 pandemic is currently impacting regional security in the Gulf, in addition to ways that it could continue to affect Gulf security in the aftermath of the crisis.
The interactive discussion will address the following topics and questions: The pandemic caused a shift in state security priorities. Will this lead to a relaxation of global priorities for counter-terrorism? The pandemic had significant negative repercussions for the Islamic Republic of Iran. Could the Iranian regime face a popular uprising, more serious before? The pandemic coupled with the collapse of oil prices and caused major economic and financial hurdles for the Gulf states’ armament policies, and arms deals already agreed. The pandemic could increasingly lead to a shift in US security priorities worldwide. A US confrontation with China is not only possible but probable. Will this lead to a relaxation of US security priorities concerning the Gulf region?
The Gulf Research Center, in its mission to produce high quality research and analysis on the Gulf region, will therefore be holding a closed webinar discussion in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, held under the Chatham House Rule, which will focus specifically on how the COVID-19 pandemic is currently impacting the Gulf economy, in addition to ways that it will continue to affect the Gulf economy in the aftermath of the crisis.
The interactive discussion will address the following topics and questions: Fiscal and budgetary challenges: What fiscal and monetary means do Gulf economies have at their disposal? How much do they need to do and for how long can they sustain low oil revenues from a fiscal and budgetary standpoint? Is this a dejavu of the 1990s fiscal constraints or is this different? Labor and unemployment risks: How will labor markets react? Will the private sector be able to cope with job creation challenges? Will unemployment rise over the short to medium term? What can policy makers do? Debt and currency constraints: Debt will inevitably rise for all Gulf economies. What is the impact of rising debt on Gulf sovereign ratings and corporations? Do debt sustainability thresholds matter? Will this impinge on their ability to borrow more in the future. How will their currencies be affected in a low oil price environment? Is the question of devaluation back? Private sector growth and entrepreneurship: How will the private sector fare in this new economic environment? Is the private sector locked in a dependency cycle with government spending or is there deleveraging? Will the private sector be able to grow independent of the government? Will rent-seeking behavior change and evolve into more competitive practices? What is the future of the Gulf private sector? Are the much talked-about SMEs taking off in the Gulf? The future of industry: The impact on industry will be vast in an era of trade retrenchment and de-globalization and localization. What will Gulf industries do and how do they adapt in this new environment? Will some have a head start than others? What is the comparative advantage in industry for Gulf economies? Is this a good time to rethink individual country-industrial strategies?
This is the second session of the Working Group 5. This closed workshop held under Chatham House Rule, will look at the theme on Reconstruction Efforts in Syria, Yemen and Iraq. This workshop will look at the need for a regional stability paradigm and the importance of the role of education for post-conflict reconciliation
This is the second session of the Working Group 3. This closed workshop held under Chatham House Rule, will look at the theme on Counter-Terrorism and Security Sector Reform. This workshop will look on the concept of a regional security paradigm, as an initial step towards more effective regional integration
This closed seminar held under Chatham House Rule, looked at Austria’s relations with the GCC countries and especially Saudi Arabia, including diplomatic relations, economic relations and security and defense cooperation. In addition, speakers gave an overview of the various international organizations headquartered in Vienna that focus on international nuclear security and the member country dynamics within those organizations especially as they relate to the Gulf countries.
This is the second session of the Working Group 4. This closed workshop held under Chatham House Rule, will look at the theme on Media Narratives and Discursive Integration in West Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. This workshop will look at the discussions on how to develop education and training in media literacy and secondly look into whether or not (and how) such a regional media comfort zone can be created
This closed seminar held under Chatham House Rule, looked at the United Kingdom’s relations with the GCC countries and especially Saudi Arabia, including diplomatic relations, economic relations and security and defense cooperation. In addition, speakers gave an overview of the role of UK media in influencing domestic and foreign policy and how those dynamics can influence its relations with Gulf countries. During the seminar discussions, participants had the opportunity to engage with senior policy officials and academics on these key issues.
This is the first annual conference for the Tafahum project. This closed conference held under Chatham House Rule, will further outline and discuss how dialogue, cooperation and coordination on topics of shared interest and concern in the region can be structured.
For more details on the GRM 2019 please click here
This closed workshop held under Chatham House Rule, will look at the theme on Security Sector Reform and Counter Terrorism. This workshop will try to examine the nexus between women and security through the lens of counter-terrorism. This is the first session of this working group
This closed workshop held under Chatham House Rule, will look at the theme on Media Narrative and Discursive Integration. This workshop will appreciate the variety of media landscapes in the region to make better sense of public discourse and narratives on a national and regional level. This is the first session of this working group
This closed workshop held under Chatham House Rule, will look at the theme on Reconstruction Efforts in Yemen, Iraq and Syria. This working group aims at developing a conceptual framework with concrete guiding principles for the reconstruction and reconciliation efforts in Syria, Yemen and Iraq. This is the first session of this working group
This closed workshop held under Chatham House Rule, will look at the theme on Environmental Issues and Climate Change. This is the first session of this working group
This closed workshop held under Chatham House Rule, will look at the theme on Environmental Issues and Climate Change. This is the first session of this working group
For more details on the GRM 2018 please click here
With respect to its unique and distinguished position in the Islamic world, the Makkah Region is now preparing for the world’s most significant construction endeavor relative to its magnitude, and its numerous urban, service-related, and cultural development projects that are currently underway. In the forefront of these is the Grand Mosque Expansion Project, the largest of its kind in history. This huge undertaking will also be supplemented with billions of Saudi riyals going towards developing facilities and services in the city of Makkah and Islamic holy sites, which are now being prepared for development. Falling under the government strategy to best serve Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, these development, service and investment projects will inevitably lead to the diversification of the facilities, services and development in cities and governorates throughout the Makkah Region. Therefore, the purpose of this conference and exhibition is to introduce this huge network of projects and services, both those that are in the early stages of implementation and those which are expected to be completed within the next few years.
Nonetheless, the primary objective of this conference and exhibition is to shed light and true understanding on the future of Makkah’s infrastructure, cultural and service sector development in the coming years. In addition, the aim is to send a strong, informative and important message not only to Arab and Islamic countries but to the rest of the world that Saudi Arabia is exerting all its efforts and working with utmost diligence to build, serve and develop this Region that is so dear to the hearts of all Muslims. In doing so, the conference and exhibition will present video and audio material concerning current and future projects within the Grand Mosque, holy sites and throughout the city of Makkah and other cities and governorates of the Makkah Region. These will highlight the facts surrounding Saudi Arabia’s continued maintenance and service to the Two Holy Mosques, Islam’s other holy sites, and the countless Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, the care of which has gone uninterrupted throughout the history of this blessed country. Indeed, the facts presented will respond to any unreasonable accusations to the contrary.
Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khaled Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Governor of the Makkah Region, President of the Makkah Region Development Authority and Chairman of the Central Hajj Committee, the conference and exhibition organizing committee would like to emphasize the importance of participation in the various major ongoing projects and their implementation in addition to the future projects in the city of Makkah, the holy sites, and the remaining cities and governorates in the Makkah Region. It is our humble aspiration that the conference and exhibition will fulfill this purpose, God willing
Gulf Research Center, European Council on Foreign Relations
The conference brought together thought leaders from Iraq and several GCC countries for two days of private, structured discussions. The dialogue is focused on intra-regional relations and supporting efforts at more fully reintegrating Iraq into the Arab world. Iraq’s reintegration and the normalization of its relations with its Arab neighbors has been undermined both by the reckless regional policies pursued during the Saddam Hussein era and by the rising sectarian tensions that characterized the post-Saddam period. The current moment sees two countervailing trends: shared regional concerns about the spread of ISIS in particular and violent Jihadi Salafism in general, and escalating sectarian polarization, most notably in Syria and Iraq. In light of this backdrop, this proposed dialogue would seek to support the current efforts to improve Iraq’s ties with its Gulf neighbors, and the dialogue would initially reflect this by addressing mutual perceptions, common and diverging interests, and developing ideas for bilateral, multilateral and regional cooperation. With the rise of ISIS and the spread of sectarian conflict, the need for dialogue is acute to further regional security cooperation, avoid increased polarization and accidental escalation, and maximize post-ISIS stabilization and reconstruction efforts.
For more details on the GRM 2017 please click here
The Gulf Research Center (GRC) in collaboration with the Middle East Institute will be holding a workshop on the issue of “Yemen: Finding a Way Forward” on Monday July 17, 2017 at the Middle East Institute Office in Washington D.C.
This timely event comes at a time while prospects for ending the Yemen conflict face persisting political and security challenges and the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen perseveres despite international aid pledges.
The workshop will attempt to shed light on the status of the political process and negotiations to settle the conflict, on the current humanitarian situation inside the country and to discuss a forward-looking development agenda to be implemented both while the conflict continues and ones a resolution to the crisis is found.
The workshop is particularly meant to provide a forum from which key Yemeni experts and stakeholders can provide their perspectives on the issues defining the Yemeni situation and to be able to engage with a wider audience on the prospects for conflict resolution mechanisms.
Five years have passed since the initial uprising against the regime of President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Yemen, the poorest nation in the Middle East. The failed political transition of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi in 2011 has turned the state of Yemen into an arena of power struggles amongst various factions fighting for control. Yemen now suffers devastating humanitarian conditions, including 2000 deaths and counting, around one million displaced, and over 12 million on the brink of famine with no access to healthcare as political solutions over the years to resolve the conflict have proven to be nearly impossible. Therefore, ending the war in Yemen is vital and needs to become the international community’s priority for not only will it be for the future of Yemen’s own security and stability, but for that of the entire region, as conflict spillover remains to be a serious threat to neighboring countries.
It is in this context, throughout the next several months, the Gulf Research Center will be hosting a series of workshops in the United States and Europe, involving major stakeholders in the conflict, which will result in the publication of seminar reports on the best way forward to bring peace and security to Yemen. In order for workshops to be comprehensive of the multidimensional nature of the conflict, each event will address a specific theme or “layer” of the conflict, therefore ensuring that the debates are focused and lead to tangible conclusions and recommendations.
Over the years, the Gulf Research Center has been especially active in research on Yemen, and this expertise, in addition to its unique position among other think tanks to bring a “Gulf” perspective to regional politics, make it especially relevant in putting forward solutions to the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
For more details on the GRM 2016 please click here
The Gulf Research Center (GRC) and the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) are holding a “European-Saudi Arabia Dialogue Meeting” at the ECFR offices in London
Given the deepening regional instability in the Middle East, the need for Europe to have a more informed strategic engagement with Saudi Arabia is becoming ever more apparent – and urgent. Following the official Middle East-focused European Global Strategy Review meeting hosted by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) in January 2016, the ECFR and the Gulf Research Center (GRC) will be convening a group of prominent and well-connected Saudi specialists and analysts together with European policy makers and analysts with the aim of gaining a better understanding of Saudi thinking and positioning in the region, as well as exploring areas for better alignment and cooperation in regional policies.
Europe’s understanding of the Kingdom’s interests and polices is too often clouded by a lack of knowledge and given the Kingdom’s centrality to any hoped-for stabilizing drive, ECFR and GRC are aiming to help facilitate a more informed strategic dialogue.
The conversation between the two sides will be driven by events in Syria but will also look at the broader situation, including in Yemen as well as the fall out of the Iranian nuclear deal. An additional focus will to explore the reasons behind, and the impact of, current Saudi energy policies and how that fits into the regional geo-political context. From a European perspective, it will be useful to explore what the Kingdom is seeking from its European allies, but also to test out ideas with Saudi officials and analysts in terms of cementing areas of convergence and working through areas of divergence.
Both the ECFR and the GRC are well placed to draw on both European and Gulf thinking and allow for such dialogue to occur. The event will be structured as an off-the-record event with a private dinner starting on Monday 4th April with senior officials and opinion formers from the worlds of politics, the media and academia, followed by a full-day workshop on Tuesday 5 April to allow for in-depth discussion on the issues outlined above.
Conference organised by the NATO Defense College Foundation in cooperation with the Gulf Research Center Foundation, the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme, the NATO Defense College and the University of Jordan.
ROME, 25-26th of February 2016
Venue: Sala Anfiteatro – Auditorium Via Veneto, Via Vittorio Veneto 89
The Arab revolutions, the present turmoil together with the US-Iranian peace overtures, have changed in a significant way the strategic landscape of regional security even in countries where no political upheaval was experienced. In addition non-state actors increase significantly the risk of disintegration of countries in the area, while regional hegemonic competitions complicate an already volatile situation. In this difficult context there is a clear need to understand how external powers interests can be reconciled also through a web of partnerships and co-operative security arrangements
It is therefore important to analyze the perceptions and consequences of this changing environment. This is seen as the key to overcome short-term political turmoil as well as diplomatic disarray and craft effective policies guaranteeing the security and sovereignty of all countries of the area.
The NATO Defense College Foundation and the Gulf Research Center Foundation intend to better understand the roots of this geopolitical uproar, to put together different views on different priorities and to explore possible future outcomes. The purpose of the conference is ambitious but the time has come to tackle the right fundamental issues. The conference is structured in four panels. It has a circular structure consisting of two distinct and intertwining sets: one on soft strategic factors and one on hard security.
The Gulf Research Center Foundation is pleased to invite you to join the INCONET-GCC 2 International Conference entitled: Collaboration for Innovation; Linking GCC and EU on December 6-8, 2015 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Muscat, Oman.
INCONET-GCC 2 is a European Commission funded project which aims at establishing a Science, Technology and Innovation International Cooperation Network between the European Union and the Arab Gulf Countries aiming at the bi-regional coordination towards HORIZON2020.
The Gulf Research Center Foundation is part of the consortium of this innovative and ambitious project and we hope you will be able to join the debates & exchanges.
This international conference is organized by the INCONET-GCC 2 consortium and will gather around 100 representatives from all over the world. The first day, December 6th is dedicated to on-site visits to local Technology Parks, Incubators and Research Organizations. The second & third days will present the state of EU-GCC cooperation, collaboration opportunities & benefits as well as barriers to overcome, with a focus on Energy and Healthcare as well as Smart Cities, which have been identified as sectors of mutual interest and benefit between the EU and GCC countries.
For your information, the INCONET-GCC 2 project is the follow-up of the results of previous cooperation activities with the Arab Gulf Countries (INCONET-GCC 1st phase) as it focuses on selected societal challenges of mutual interest identified during the previous collaboration. INCONET-GCC 2 explores how to achieve win-win collaboration across national, multidisciplinary and cross-sector approaches, while also realizing and underpinning new-path-breaking kinds of capacity-building and organizing clustering activities around the selected research priorities: smart cities, smart energy & eHealth.
If you wish to participate in this conference, please contact:
Sébastien Lévy at slevy@items-int.eu
or Sylviane Toporkoff at stoporkoff@items-int.eu
Please feel free to forward this information to any of your colleagues who may be interested to join this conference.
For more details, please also visit: http://www.inconet-gcc.eu/
For more details on the GRM 2015 please click here
The Gulf Research Center, the Geneva Center for Security Policy and the Crown Center for Middle East Studies at Brandeis University convened in Gstaad for their annual discussions on developments in the Middle Eastern region. Bringing together renowned regional, security, and policy experts in order to assess the overall situation in the Middle East, the meeting focused on the changing strategic landscape and the geopolitical and regional dynamics at play, an assessment of the state and implications of the Arab Revolutions, as well as an in-depth look at the situation in the Levant, Turkey, North Africa, the Gulf region and Israel and Palestine. The meeting underlined that the Middle East was undergoing fundamental shifts and transitions including a move from state centric approaches to non-state issues and from a national to a transnational focus. With vacuums appearing in many place, the question of who or what will fill the vacuum is of central importance.
The Gulf Research Center will host the third annual Think Tank Security Forum in Geneva from June 10 to 11, 2015 bringing together think tanks from different countries and regions of the world to give an assessment of the current global security environment.
In addition to participants outlining what they see as the most pressing security challenges from their own regional perspective, a core theme of the meeting will to focus on “Extremism, Violent Non-State Actors and State Strategies: Outlook and Direction.” The theme of extremism and state strategies is relevant given that its impact is being felt worldwide. Not only are all governments today challenged by extremist threats but in many parts of the world one is witnessing the rise of non-state actors that are challenging the very legitimacy of the state. What this means is that finding a response to the combination of extremism and violent non-state actors has risen to the top of the policy agenda.
A summary of the discussions will be provided following its conclusion with select paper being published in a compiled volume. For further interest in the Think Tank Security Forum series, please contact Sanya Kapasi under sanya@grc.net.
In September 2014, the Gulf Research Center together with the Institute of Diplomatic Studies in Riyadh will hold the Gulf Forum 2014 under the title of “Arabian Gulf and Regional Challenges” The conference will bring together prominent personalities to discuss over a period of two days the key developments impacting the Gulf region and the consequences for both regional and external actors. The conference will be divided into seven sessions focusing on the GCC and Regional Changes; Challenges pertaining to development in Iran, Iraq and Syria; the Impact on Gulf Security of Regional Political Transformations, unconventional and asymmetrical challenges; external powers and the security of the Arabian Gulf; Gulf Security and the role of rising powers; and finally, future perspectives. Given the numerous developments taking place in the entire Middle Eastern region, the Gulf Forum 2014 is a timely event that could not happen at a more critical and opportune time.
For more details on the GRM 2014 please click here
The Gulf Research Center, in partnership with the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) and the Crown Center at Brandeis University, hosted the 12th Annual Conference on the Middle East in Gstaad, Switzerland on June 20-2, 2014. The conference brought together about 25 renowned regional, security, and policy experts in order to assess the current situation in the Middle East and North Africa. During the meeting, participants discussed the Arab Revolutions, the overall geopolitical and regional dynamics as it pertains to the Levant, Turkey, the Arab-Israeli issue, and the situation in Iraq, Iran, and the Gulf region. There was a session on the current nuclear negotiations with Iran and what it means for the wider region and its relations with outside powers. A policy brief summarizing the discussions has been released by the Geneva Center for Security Policy.
The Gulf Research Center Foundation held the second meeting of the Think Tank Security Forum (TTSF) on June 18 and 19, 2014 in Geneva, Switzerland. The aim of the Think Tank Security Forum is to create a platform for key think tanks in the world that focus on security issues to exchange knowledge, staff and best practices as well as to cooperate in order to propagate high-quality research. This platform is based on the commitment of each institute to exchange resources and ideas in order to develop to come up with an authoritative security agenda for today’s ever-changing global landscape. In the second meeting, plenary sessions were held on the changing global geopolitics, migration, and energy security and its corresponding challenges.
The Gulf Research Center and Chatham House hold workshop on GCC-UK Relations
With the regional Middle Eastern environment facing a period of unprecedented turbulence, the Gulf Research Center and Chatham House held a two-day workshop in London on June 12 and 13 to explore the various dynamics of developments in the Middle East and the Gulf and the implications this holds for GCC-UK ties. While the UK and the GCC states can look back on a long period of close ties defined by many common interests, the discussion at the workshop pointed to the many new challenges that have emerged including the perception among the GCC states that the policies by the Western states including the UK have further exacerbated many of the regional crises. Participants agreed that mutual strategic interests still prevail, but there was also a sense from the GCC side that UK regional policy suffers from a degree of credibility and trust. The discussion further highlighted the fact that a return to some form of stability was an extremely complex undertaking and that one needed to look at regional issues from both a short- and long-term perspective.
The national economy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has achieved unprecedented accomplishments not only in the Middle East Region, but also on a global level, especially in recent years, after the Kingdom was ranked as one of the richest twenty countries in the world, combined with the growth, strength and high flexibility achieved by the Saudi economy. This has enabled the Kingdom to overcome the global financial crisis that hit the global economy since 2008, while the consequences of subsequent economic aftershocks are still affecting most of the global economies. This proves the strength of the Saudi economy and its ability to grow as confirmed by the figures of the State Budget and the surplus achieved over the past years.
Proceeding from the mission of the Faculty of Economics and Administration in King Abdulaziz University in promoting scientific academic research, and serving the community, especially after the great success achieved by the Conference at its first edition held during the period of 7- 9 May 2012, the College will launch the second edition of this Conference (National Economy: Challenges and Ambitions) during the period of 22- 24 April, 2014. This Conference will discuss several key issues related to the reality and the future of the national economy and its impact on citizens, especially with regard to the economic sectors related to services. All this will take place within the framework of discussing the challenges and how to achieve the ambitions in this area.
Gulf Research Center and Arab–German Chamber of Commerce and Industry
