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In recent years, the Gulf Cooperation Council’s six member states have gained considerable weight in terms of their foreign policy strategies. Furthermore, despite regional challenges, they have turned into one of the most dynamic and promising regions in the world. At all times, the Gulf States have considered Germany as an important partner in both trade and international politics. Sustained improvement and intensification of economic as well as political relations between Germany and the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council have created fertile ground for closer cooperation in the future.

Against this background, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is organising an international dialogue programme on “Germany’s foreign policy towards the Gulf States”. This programme aims at bringing together six hand-picked socially and politically responsible stakeholders from the Gulf region who act as bridge builders between civil society and the state. Throughout the course of their stay in Berlin, they will have the opportunity to meet and discuss with representatives of key foreign policy-making institutions in Germany, such as the German Bundestag and the Federal Foreign Office, high-level think tanks as well as civil society organisations.

The distinguished participants will gain first-hand insight into German foreign policy towards the Gulf States as well as the policy and decision-making processes that influence its implementation. A particular focus will be the role of the German Parliament in the decision-making process, as well as the impact of prominent research institutions and think tanks in advising the government. In this way, the interrelation of state institutions and civil society actors in laying the ground for a balanced approach to world affairs will be expounded.

This programme is organised by the Domestic Programmes Division of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in cooperation with the Regional Office Gulf States.