Events

Highly Skilled Migration to the Gulf

Labour Reforms and the Global Competition for Talents

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States are reshaping labour markets to become global talent hubs. Saudi Arabia, the Arab world’s strongest economy and home to nearly half of the GCC’s foreign workforce, is spearheading reforms to attract highly skilled migrants. Vision 2030 aims to diversify and decarbonise the economy, promote technical innovation, develop new sectors, and boost employment, particularly for women. The UAE has emerged as a competitor, introducing Golden Visas in 2019, followed by Green Visas and other permits, revolutionising its immigration landscape. The webinar will reflect on Saudi Arabia’s labour and migration reforms over the last decade and their outcomes, with a comparative insight into the UAE.

Transformative Diplomatic Strategies for Contemporary Geopolitical Challenges

Panel Discussion at the Doha Forum

Today’s geopolitical challenges require new thinking and diplomatic approaches such as flexible and inclusive strategies, leveraging advanced technologies, and applying creative solutions. Unlike traditional diplomacy, which often relies on formal protocols, bilateral negotiations, and the promotion of specific ideologies, innovative approaches to diplomacy transcend traditional Western and non-Western divides. It embraces diverse actors, digital platforms, and collaborative initiatives to foster dialogue, build consensus, and achieve shared goals. Through virtual summits, digital platforms, and citizen engagement, it promotes transparency, inclusivity, and participatory global governance. This empowers non-state actors, facilitates rapid communication and information sharing, and enables a more agile response to crises, including humanitarian emergencies, peacebuilding efforts, climate change, global health threats, and economic development. This panel in partnership with the Center for International Policy Research (CIPR) and The Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) will illuminate different innovative diplomatic practices, examining the foreign policies of Qatar, Germany, Italy, and UAE.

The Future of Labour and Migration in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf

Highly Skilled Migration to the Gulf

'Decentralisation and its Role in Economic Development and Creating Job Opportunities'

Workshop

Gulf Asia Cooperation: Prospects, Challenges and Implications for Europe

Publication Roll-out

Development of Renewables and Clean Technologies in Saudi Arabia

Challenges and Opportunities

Together with the Hydrogen Diplomacy (H2Diplo) Office in Saudi Arabia, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS)'s Regional Programme Gulf States will organise the second meeting of its Fireside Chats on Energy, Climate, and Sustainability series in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Featuring inputs from leading Saudi academics and practitioners in the field of energy and climate research, this fireside chat will provide a space to discuss the opportunities and challenges characterising the Kingdom's efforts to expand the proportion of renewables in its domestic energy mix and decarbonise its industries. The fireside chat will take place under the Chatham House Rule. Please note that this is a closed event.

Youth Voices from the Gulf Region

New Ideas and Experiences

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s Regional Programme Gulf States and the Gulf Research Center are hosting a side event at COP28 (UAE) on December 8, 2023, at 12:00 pm at the Siemens Showcase Center, focusing on climate change engagement with youth from the Gulf region. This event is the outcome of a policy paper contest held by both organisations, with the top four papers chosen to present their ideas at COP28. The primary objectives are to amplify the voices of young individuals from the GCC nations on climate change, introduce innovative concepts to propose to their respective governments, and foster the creation of robust climate change networks among GCC youth.

Young Perspectives on Joint Cooperation

Enhancing the Saudi-German Academic Exchange

In partnership with the Gulf Research Center, the Regional Programme Gulf States of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung will carry out a two-day workshop in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The workshop will bring together young researchers and practitioners from Germany and Saudi Arabia for two days of dialogue, exchange, and learning how to write policy papers about German-Saudi cooperation in the fields of energy, security, sports, and culture. Please note that this is a closed event.

Gulf Humanitarianism in Flux: Arab Gulf Development Actors and their Development Policy Engagement

Policy Study Launch Event on Arab Gulf Development Actors by Dr. Sebastian Sons

Join us on the September 28th at 6:30 pm for the launch of Dr. Sebastian Sons' policy study, "Gulf Humanitarianism in Flux: Arab Gulf Development Actors and their Development Policy Engagement - Backgrounds, Interests, Strategies and Potential for Cooperation”  This study delves into the evolving role of Gulf monarchies, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar, as influential providers of humanitarian aid and development cooperation. It examines historical aid trends, financing mechanisms, and the political motivations behind development cooperation. Dr. Sons' research also highlights the shift from financial to technical cooperation in the institutional landscape of development organizations and the changing dynamics of Gulf development actors and their potential for cooperation.   To RSVP for this event, kindly email Marah Jamous (marah.jamous@kas.de) and Jonas Nitschke (Jonas.nitschke@kas.de) 

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 at the halfway point

Achievements and challenges

In partnership with Highbridge Advisory, Chatham House, and the Decision Support Center of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Regional Programme Gulf States of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung will carry out a one-day workshop at Chatham House in London, United Kingdom. The workshop will examine Saudi Arabia's progress on its Vision 2030 as it reaches the halfway mark.