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Abu Dhabi Dialogue- Strategic Competition and Regional Agency in the Gulf

Roundtable on Regional Security, Strategic Competition and the Gulf's Evolving Role in Abu Dhabi

Against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, Gulf states are reassessing their security partnerships, navigating growing technological competition and seeking greater influence over their strategic future.

Farrah Abdallat
November 2, 2026
Event reports
Zoonar/IMAGO

Stepwise and Return Migration Between the Gulf, Europe, and North America

Pilot Survey Report

Highly skilled migration from the Gulf is increasingly defined by complex, multi-stage mobility patterns. This pilot survey examines how non-Western professionals navigate stepwise and circular migration, often using the Gulf as a temporary hub before moving to Europe or North America, and in some cases, returning under more favourable conditions. Drawing on survey and interview data, it explores the motivations, aspirations, and destination preferences shaping these trajectories.

Nasra M. Shah, Areej Jamal
October 29, 2026
Policy Reports
Depositphotos/Imago

A National Security Turn?

Stepwise Migration of Skilled Labour and National Security Dilemmas in the Gulf

Despite liberalisation efforts of migration management processes in most Gulf states following the COVID-19 period, attracting and retaining highly skilled migration populations – needed to ensure state service delivery, competitiveness and economic diversification – remains a challenge across the region. Drawing on current policy analysis, interviews and fieldwork observations, this policy brief traces how stepwise migration of skilled non-citizens has come to constitute a national security dilemma, shifting from being framed solely as a labour market management problem to becoming an economic security concern.

Froilan T. Malit, Jr
October 22, 2026
Policy Reports
SOPA Images/Imago

Challenges to the GCC’s Economic Diversification Agenda

Understanding the Structural Drivers of High-Skilled Emigration from the Gulf

The Gulf has become a magnet for global talent – but often, a stopover rather than a destination. As GCC states push toward knowledge-based economies, highly skilled non-citizens remain indispensable, yet many continue to leave despite strong economic incentives and high living standards. This synthesis paper examines the structural drivers behind onward and circular migration, from limited long-term residency pathways to entrenched citizenship-based hierarchies and labour market constraints. It also outlines recommendations to improve talent retention and to support more predictable and sustainable migration governance across the GCC.

Mohammad Amaan Siddiqui
October 22, 2026
Policy Reports
Wirestock/Imago

Long-Term Residency Policies and the Retention of Healthcare Professionals

A Case Study on the UAE’s Golden Visa Program in the Gulf Context

The UAE is positioning itself as a hub for global talent, with initiatives such as the Golden Visa designed to attract and retain highly skilled professionals. Yet, questions remain over how far such schemes translate into long-term settlement. This policy brief examines how the Golden Visa shapes healthcare professionals’ mobility decisions and intentions to remain in the UAE, and outlines targeted reforms to strengthen retention and support the country’s transition toward a knowledge-based economy.

Dr Ayat Nashwan, Sadia Khan
October 22, 2026
Policy Reports
Mrdoomits/Smarterpix

The Global Competition for Talents

Comparative Overview of Highly Skilled Emigration Trends to Canada, France, Germany, the UK and the US

Highly skilled migration to major OECD countries is shaped as much by institutional design as by demand for talent. This statistical report provides a comparative analysis of Canda, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, examining how different systems structure entry, temporariness and pathways to long-term settlement. Drawing on stock and flow data across four stages of migration, it highlights distinct national models and shows how temporariness persists in different forms across countries. The findings offer insights into how highly skilled migrants navigate these systems and how migration outcomes are shaped beyond initial access.

Dr Françoise De Bel-Air
October 22, 2026
Policy Reports
Dreamstime/Imago

The Gulf Talent Retention Paradox

Drivers, Dynamics, and the Rise of Circularity

Mobility in the Gulf is not simply a story of departure; but of circulation. This paper explores the ‘Gulf Talent Retention Paradox’, showing how highly skilled migrants navigate a system that offers strong economic returns but limited long-term security. While economic satisfaction in the region remains high, limited pathways to permanency and entrenched citizenship-based hierarchies continue to shape mobility decisions and drive onward and circular migration. This synthesis paper examines these dynamics and outlines reforms to better align migration governance with the realities of global talent mobility.

Dr Michael Ewers
October 22, 2026
Policy Reports
IMAGO / ANP

Strategic Hydrogen

Gulf Sovereign Wealth Funds and the Reordering of Global Energy Power

While hydrogen and low-carbon energy solutions have lost momentum in many Western economies and policy agendas, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states continue to position themselves as key players in an emerging post-carbon energy economy. In this context, Gulf Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) not only provide essential capital but also actively shape their countries’ strategic approaches to the energy transition. This policy report analyses the distinct paths Gulf states are pursuing to balance the risks and opportunities of an emerging hydrogen economy – and explores the conditions that will ultimately determine their success.

Dr. Tobias Zumbrägel
August 27, 2026
Policy Reports
IMAGO / ANI News

The Power of Capital

How GCC Sovereign Wealth Funds are Shaping Defence Industries

Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) play a pivotal role in the economic development and diversification efforts of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Reflecting the region's rapidly evolving security landscape and threat perceptions, SWF investment and engagement are increasingly tied to defence and defence-related industries. Despite an apparent convergence on defence as a strategic sector, SWFs' respective approaches differ when it comes to ownership, control, scale, and international engagement. This policy report analyses the distinct ownership models, risk appetites, and strategic priorities adopted by Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE in this regard.

Dr Robert Mason
August 27, 2026
Policy Reports
IMAGO / Depositphotos

Regulating Passport-Based Wage Differentials in the Gulf

A Driver for Onward Migration

GCC states rely heavily on foreign talent, yet retaining highly skilled expatriate remains a persistent challenge. Citizenship-based hierarchies and limited settlement pathways continue to shape wage disparities, job mobility, and long-term prospects, prompting many professionals to pursue onward migration. This policy brief examines how these structural constraints influence mobility decisions and outlines targeted reforms to address labour market inequalities and strengthen talent retention across the Gulf.

Anushka Bose
July 25, 2026
Policy Reports

Showing 1 to 10 of 214 entries.

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Country Reports

Short political reports of the KAS offices abroad

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is a political foundation. Our offices abroad are in charge of over 200 projects in more than 120 countries. The country reports offer current analyses, exclusive evaluations, background information and forecasts - provided by our international staff.

Event Reports

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, its educational institutions, centres and foreign offices, offer several thousand events on various subjects each year. We provide up to date and exclusive reports on selected conferences, events and symposia at www.kas.de. In addition to a summary of the contents, you can also find additional material such as pictures, speeches, videos or audio clips.

Policy Reports

Analyses of current topics in the Gulf region

The Policy Reports of the Regional Programme Gulf States offer insights and analyses on current developments in the Gulf States and the Gulf region at large. They contribute to a better understanding of the region and serve as a platform for German, European and the Gulf scholars to exchange and disseminate ideas and knowledge about the region for the broader policy community.

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