Arab Strategy Forum 2018 to Kick off on 12 December in Dubai

• Headline speakers include Dennis Ross, Nasser Judeh, Dr Nabil Fahmy, Parag Khanna, Dr Ayad Alawi, Dr Nasser Saidi, and Professor Jack Lew

Dubai-UAE: – The Arab Strategy Forum (ASF), taking place under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, today announced the detailed programme of activities that will take place on 12 December 2018 in Dubai.

In its 11^th edition, the Forum will gather prominent regional and international experts, politicians, economists, intellectuals, and strategic analysts to forecast the state of the world in 2019. Speakers and attendees will examine dynamic indicators that are expected to play a key role in shaping policies and affecting economies on a regional and global scale.

Speaking ahead of the event, His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Forum, said: “The Arab Strategy Forum contributes to realising the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; that of shaping the future through foresight. It’s an opportunity to better understand the state of the world and the Arab region through analysing economic and political indicators as well as strategic future shifts.”

He added: “In 2001, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Arab Strategy Forum to serve as a platform for balanced analyses by decision makers to offer a clearer understanding of the economic and political outlook for the Arab region and the world at large. As part of this mandate, year on year, the Forum releases a series of economic and political reports and studies, in addition to hosting high profile intellectuals who add value to its future-focused thought sessions.”

His Excellency Mohammed Al Gergawi emphasised the significance of the Forum in anticipating challenges, recognising opportunities, and maintaining development paths. He also noted that the Arab Strategy Forum has become a much-awaited global platform for the transparent and healthy exchange of ideas and opinions that contribute to drawing a roadmap for future global action.

Schedule of Activities

The agenda for the 2018 edition of the Arab Strategy Forum includes five panel discussions and two lectures. Through leveraging reliable data and expert opinions, the Forum’s sessions seek to explore future challenges and opportunities in the region via in-depth analyses, and provide decision makers with accurate annual forecasts of major events.

Economic Dialogue

Among its key highlights, the Forum will feature an open economic dialogue with members of the audience to answer the question – what’s next for the economy of the Arab world?

Megatrends

In a lecture titled ‘Megatrends in 2019’, Dr Ian Bremmer, President and Founder of Eurasia and expert in international policies, is set to present his list of anticipated events that will impact global economics and politics. His forecast will focus on key topics, including the outcomes of US sanctions on Iran, the ongoing US-China trade standoff, and the impact of rising geopolitical tensions on the region.

World Politics

The ‘State of the World Politics in 2019’ session that features Dennis Ross, Former Assistant to President Obama and National Security Council Senior Director for the Central Region, Bernardino León, Director General of the Emirates Diplomatic Academy, and Dr Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science as headline speakers, will discuss the most important challenges facing the world in 2019, including the consequences of the US sanctions on the Iranian regime. The session is also set to debate whether the ‘deal of the century’ will officially be put forward in 2019, as the US aims to normalise relations with North Korea, and if President Donald Trump will carry out his threat of withdrawing the US from its age-old NATO alliance. Other much-anticipated discussions will include US-Russian bilateral relations in 2019, the consequences of the Yellow Vest riots that are protesting French President Emmanuel Macron’s economic policies, the future of a beleaguered NATO on its 70th anniversary, the rise of nationalism in Europe, potential conflict areas in 2019, and the directions and trends of the European right wing.

World Economy

The ‘State of the World Economy in 2019’ session will host Professor Jack Lew, Former United States Secretary of the Treasury, and Lord Mervyn King, Former Governor of Bank of England and Member of House of Lords, to review the promising global economic outlook in the coming year.

Covering hot topics such as whether the rise of a third economic power after America and China will trigger a new economic crisis, the session is also set to discover whether Trump’s protectionist policies are likely to change the World Trade Organization, in addition to forecasting the future of digital currencies and their role in financial transactions. Other topics will include Brexit’s influence on the European Union, and its impact on the British, European, and global economies, as well as the role of America’s shale oil in determining global oil prices.

Arab World Politics

The ‘State of the Arab World Politics in 2019’ session,  which will draw the participation of Dr Ayad Alawi, Former Prime Minister of Iraq, Nasser Judeh, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan, and Dr Nabil Fahmy, Former Foreign Minister of Egypt, is set to examine the impact of America’s Iran sanctions on the Arab region, the chances of the new Iraqi government curbing Iranian interference on Iraqi sovereignty and the continued impact of the Russian presence in Syria in 2019. Will 2019 build a new Arab axis? Will the year mark the end of the war in Syria and Yemen? Will the existing Arab-Russian relations witness new political and military movement in 2019? These and similar pressing questions will also be debated during the session.

Arab World Economy

For its part, the ‘State of the Arab World Economy in 2019’ session will draw the participation of Dr Nasser Saidi, former Minister of Economy and Trade in Lebanon, Dr Mahmoud Mohieldin, World Bank’s Senior Vice President for the 2030 Development Agenda, United Nations Relations, and Partnerships, as headline speakers. The experts will discuss the prospects for economic decline in the Middle East region in 2019, as well as the predictions for economic growth in the GCC region, and examine diverse ways to reduce unemployment among young people in the Arab world. In addition, discussions on the prospects for foreign investment in logic, and on the possibility that the countries of the GCC region can play a bigger role in resolving regional economic crises are also on the cards.

Multipolar Future

Furthermore, leading geo-strategic expert, Parag Khanna, will present a lecture entitled ‘The Multipolar Future: The GCC between East and West’ that seeks to analyse the impact of the competition among the world’s principal powers, led by the US, China and Russia in vital global areas of influence, the factors and opportunities for progress and the rise of new countries’ soft powers, be it economic and political.

The Arab Strategy Forum

Since 2001, the Arab Strategy Forum, has provided accurate annual forecasts of major events throughout the year. The event leverages expert opinions, reliable data, and in-depth analyses to explore future challenges and opportunities in the region.

The Forum convenes government officials, prominent business personalities, and distinguished academics from across the globe to support new ways of intellectual thinking and empower future generations of leaders across the Middle East.

For more information about the Arab Strategy Forum, please visit www.arabstrategyforum.org 

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© Press Release 2018