This year marks a pivotal point for the region as it marks a decade since the Arab Spring uprisings and grapples with climate issues and regional cross-border tensions. Likewise, this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and ushers in a new era in Iranian politics.

This conference aims to identify cross-cutting themes and provide insights into the current conflicts, challenges and changes permeating the Persian Gulf region. In doing so, the discussions will trace the pathways of existing national and regional tensions and will look towards emerging opportunities that may set the tone for future geo-political, environmental, and socio-economic transformations.

From investing in cleaner energies and diversifying the economic infrastructure, examining the effects of lasting regional conflicts, to the advancement of women’s rights and digital activism in highly patriarchal, controlled, and regulated nations, the conference will feature some of the brightest and most insightful Middle Eastern studies scholars from across the world sharing their innovative thinking on the future of this complex region.

The full conference programme can be found here.

SCHEDULE

KEYNOTE ADDRESS (10.15-10.30)

Tawakkol Karman (Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, 2011)

PANEL 1 (10.30-12.00)

Environmental and Economic (In)Stability: Can the Gulf Go Green?

PANEL 2 (13.00 – 14.30)

Civil Society and Human Rights: 10 years on from the Arab Spring Uprisings, What Has Changed?

PANEL 3 (15.00 – 16.30)

Lasting Conflicts and Regional Threats: What Are the Prospects and Challenges for a Collaborative Approach to Security?

The event is free and will be taking place on Zoom. After confirming your attendance, you will receive separate links to the keynote and panel events, allowing you to attend as many as you would like. The links will be sent closer to the date of the event.

This event will be livestreamed and recorded to the War Studies YouTube channel.

Full details on the panels, guests and timings of the day can be found here.