Conferences

Dr. Abdulaziz bin Othman bin Sager – Chairman of the Gulf Research Center Participated as keynote speaker in the academic symposium hosted by the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel– Doha. He presented a paper entitled “The reasons for the Saudi-Iranian crisis and future orientations”.

Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman, Gulf Research Center participated at the IISS Manama Dialogue in Bahrain organised by The International Institute of Strategic Studies.

Dr. Abdulaziz Sager participated in the First Gulf Economic Forum organized by the Union of the GCC Chambers in Doha, Qatar. He presented a paper in the first session titled: “Gulf Joint Economic Performance: Successes and Challenges” in which he discussed the current situation of the Gulf economy and the challenges and setbacks that it encounters. He also provided an outlook on the solutions that should be considered by the Gulf States to maintain and develop the Gulf economic structure so as to preserve its regional and international status as well as maintain economic prosperity and the citizens’ wellbeing that has been achieved over the last few years.

Dr. Abdulaziz Sager participated at the Beirut Institute Summit, in Abu Dhabi on october 10 & 11, 2015 , entitled: ‘Reconfiguring the Arab Region and its Global Space Beyond Political Economy and Security Threats’ and played the role of Facilitator and shared the panel for “The Town Hall Conversation”.

The first annual Middle East Think Tank Summit held in Istanbul, Turkey from December 11 to 13, 2013 brought together nearly 50 participants from 19 countries and representing 40 thinks tanks from throughout the Middle East. The meeting was held under the theme “Increasing the Effectiveness of Think Tanks in the Middle East and North Africa: Key Opportunities for Institutional Growth.” It was organized by the Think Tank and Civil Societies Program (TTCSP) at the University of Pennsylvania, Stratim: Center for Strategic Communications, and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. In addition to discussing global and regional challenges and opportunities facing think tanks, the workshop took an in-depth look at the role of think tanks in shaping and informing policy, avenues for more effective funding, increasing communication, engaging civil society and areas of institutional growth. The workshop will result in a summit report to be released in early 2014. From the GRC side, Chairman Dr. Abdulaziz Sager and Dr. Christian Koch, Director of the GRC Foundation in Geneva attended.

Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman of the Gulf Research Center, took part in the Middle East and North Africa Regional Security

Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman of the Gulf Research Center, participated in the European Neighborhood conference entitled “Europe, North Africa and the GGC: Joint action for democracy” organized by the Bertelsmann Foundation and held in Tunis, Tunisia. The event was a precursor for the next Kronberg Middle East talks which will take place in Tunisia in 2014.

Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman of the Gulf Research Center participated in the meetings of the General Assembly of the Arab – Turkish Dialogue Forum as a member of the Executive Committee of the Forum. The forum concentrates on promoting the dialogue between the two parties and deepening mutual understanding. The meeting has concluded in Istanbul-Turkey in the period 3-5 October, 2013 and the members of the Executive Committee had met with the President of the Turkish Republic, Mr. Abdullah Gul.

Dr. Abdulaziz Sager attended the Forum on ERFIP: Empowering Families for Innovative Philanthropy Megeve, France – Presented his views on Gulf Perspective – Key Philanthropic Challenges – A Gulf perspective.

On May 7, 2013, a group of decision-makers from Saudi Arabia attended a day-long meeting at NATO Headquarters where they were briefed by senior NATO officials. The visit was organized by the Gulf Research Center under its long-standing commitment and ties with NATO. Among the key speakers from the NATO side were James Appathurai, Acting Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy; Ambassador Stephen Evans, NATO\’s Assistant Secretary General for Operations; Nicola de Santis, Head, Middle East and North Africa Countries Section, Political Affairs and Security Policy Division; Ambassador Francesca Tardioli, Deputy Assistant Secretary General, Planning Directorate, Operations Division; Commodore Emil Eftimov, Deputy Director Cooperation and Regional Security Division, NATO International Military Staff; and Patrick Touze, Head, Policy, Plans & Partnerships Section, Defense Investment Division. The group also met with Joseph Manso, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United States of America on the North Atlantic Council, and Sule Oztunc, Deputy Permanent Representative of Turkey on the North Atlantic Council.