Publikationen

Scheckbücher und Schmeicheleien

Was Europa von Trumps Auslandsreise an den Golf lernen kann

Vom 13. bis 16. Mai führte die erste große Auslandsreise von US-Präsident Donald Trump nach dessen Wiederwahl nach Saudi-Arabien, Katar und in die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate (VAE). Mit der gesamten US-Wirtschaftselite im Schlepptau verkündete Trump astronomische Investitionen über mehrere Billionen US-Dollar. Jenseits vieler Deals demonstrieren die Golf- Staaten dabei vor allem, dass sie den Politikstil Trumps besser verinnerlicht haben als viele andere: Riad, Doha und Abu Dhabi nutzen das Ohr des Präsidenten geschickt zur eigenen Interessensverfolgung und zum Ausbau ihrer Macht. Die von Saudi-Arabien arrangierte Auf- hebung von US-Sanktionen gegen Syrien und das Treffen Trumps in Riad mit dem syrischen Übergangspräsidenten Ahmed Al-Sharaa sind dabei nur die Spitze des Eisbergs. An den Golf- Staaten – längst zu zentralen Gestaltungsakteuren im Nahen und Mittleren Osten aufgestie- gen – führt auch für die USA kein Weg mehr vorbei.

Gulf-Asia Cooperation

Prospects, Challenges, and Implications for Europe

This publication explores the deepening ties between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and key Asian powers—China, India, Japan, and South Korea—and their implications for Europe. While energy remains central, cooperation is expanding into technology, infrastructure, and diplomacy. As Asia becomes the Gulf’s primary partner, Europe risks being sidelined unless it engages more strategically. This publication calls for greater EU-GCC-Asia trilateral cooperation to address shared challenges and seize emerging opportunities.

Forging Stronger Ties between Germany and Qatar

Insights from Norbert Lammert’s and Gerhard Wahlers’ visit to Qatar underscores shared priorities in di-plomacy, development, and culture.

A View from South Asia Countries of Origin: Changing Contexts, Perceptions, and Policies Towards Migrating to Saudi Arabia

Special Issue on Vision 2030 and the Socio-Economic Reform Process: The Future of Labour and Migration in Saudi Arabia

With 75 percent of its workforce comprising foreign labour, Saudi Arabia faces increasing competition for its essential migrant workforce as other countries offer better conditions. Saudi Arabia must reform restrictive policies including the kafala system, improve recruitment practices, and lower remittance costs to maintain its labour advantage. This policy report examines how current migration systems impact South Asian workers and offers practical solutions to balance national economic interests with worker protections in an increasingly competitive global labour market.

International Science Faculty in Saudi Arabia: Research Experiences and Challenges

Special Issue on Vision 2030 and the Socio-Economic Reform Process: The Future of Labour and Migration in Saudi Arabia

One of Saudi Arabia's aims in Vision 2030, is to transform the Kingdom into a global research powerhouse however, is the current ecosystem equipped to deliever? This policy report analyses Saudi scientific publications and interviews with international researchers which reveal a divide between elite academic institutions and the broader university landscape in Saudi. While visibility is growing, challenges in funding, infrastrucutre and career pathways persist. This report details the critical reforms needed to bridge the gap between Saudi Arabia's scientific ambitions and its current research reality.

The Global Competition for Talent: How does Saudi Arabia Compare with Gulf and Global Peers?

Special Issue on Vision 2030 and the Socio-Economic Reform Process: The Future of Labour and Migration in Saudi Arabia

Can Saudi Arabia outpace its neighbors in the race for global talent? Saudi Arabia has made remarkable strides in attracting skilled migrants while maintaining record employment for nationals—but significant hurdles remain. This policy report examines Saudi Arabia's position in the competitive talent marketplace and offers actionable recommendations to overcome persistent challenges in residency policies, urban liveability, and family support services that currently limit its appeal compared to regional rivals.

Adapting to Change: The Potential Impact of Technology and Demography on the Saudi Labour Market

Special Issue on Vision 2030 and the Socio-Economic Reform Process: The Future of Labour and Migration in Saudi Arabia

Will tomorrow's technological revolution leave parts of Saudi Arabia's workforce behind? This policy report reveals a complex picture of automation vulnerability across the Saudi Arabian labour market, highlighting significant differences between Saudi and non-Saudi workers, as well as between men and women. While government policies have successfully boosted citizen employment, the focus on labour-intensive sectors may have come at the cost of technological productivity. As the demand for specialised skills in IT, engineering, and advanced manufacturing grows, how can Saudi Arabia protect its most vulnerable workers while preparing its workforce for a tech-driven future? This report explores the challenges and opportunities ahead and examines potential solutions from global success stories.

High-Skilled Employment and Vision 2030: How Education and Training for Saudi Youth Align with Saudi Labour Market Demands

Special Issue on Vision 2030 and the Socio-Economic Reform Process: The Future of Labour and Migration in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aims to diversify the economy beyond oil by creating a knowledge-based economy with a highly skilled workforce. Key challenges include aligning STEM education with private sector needs and bridging theoretical-practical gaps through targeted training programmes. With Saudi demographics shifting, the kingdom needs to create approximately 920,000 additional jobs by 2030. SMEs, which currently provide 60 per cent of jobs, and women's entrepreneurship programmes will play crucial roles in achieving inclusive economic growth. As workforce development progresses, Saudi Arabia faces a strategic balancing act: attracting skilled migrants in emerging fields like AI and green technologies while developing domestic expertise to gradually reduce dependency on foreign workers in construction, healthcare, and education sectors.

Future Skills Needed and Profiles of Workers: Ways to Maximise Productivity of Labour

Special Issue on Vision 2030 and the Socio-Economic Reform Process: The Future of Labour and Migration in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's transformative labour market journey under Vision 2030 shows promising progress, with female workforce participation nearly doubling and a significant shift toward high-skilled sectors. Yet, as the kingdom races to build a knowledge economy, the gap between available skills and market demands in crucial areas like AI, data analytics, and cybersecurity presents both a challenge and an opportunity. How is Saudi Arabia balancing international talent attraction with local workforce development to fuel its ambitious economic diversification? This policy report explores the strategies shaping this dynamic transition and the critical steps needed to ensure sustainable growth.

Assets on the Move: Highly Skilled Migration from the Philippines to the Gulf

Highly Skilled Migration to the Gulf States: How Do GCC Countries Fare in the Global Competition for Talent?

The GCC hosts approximately half of all highly skilled Filipino workers worldwide, despite offering salaries roughly half those available in North America. Many skilled Filipinos view the Gulf as a temporary destination in a "stepwise migration" strategy, gaining experience before moving to Western countries with better economic prospects and residency pathways. While bilateral labour agreements exist between the Philippines and GCC states, these primarily target specific sectors like healthcare, and recent Gulf initiatives like Golden and Freelance visas attract temporary workers but struggle to retain those seeking permanent relocation. For the GCC to improve retention of skilled Filipino professionals, policies must address competitive compensation, career advancement opportunities, and stable residency options with family reunification, though these changes present integration challenges for receiving societies, while the Philippines continues to face "brain drain" issues affecting its domestic development.