Dr. Christian Koch, Director of the GRC Foundation, spoke at a breakfast discussion in the Qatar crisis at the Konrad-Adenauer Foundation in Berlin, Germany focusing on the dynamics that led to the current escalation of tensions between Qatar and its Arab neighbors. Key question considered during the debate were the reasons behind the crisis and what are its implications for regional security, cooperation and development. There was also a focus on consequences for Germany and Europe and their respective policy options in dealing with the involved Gulf countries and institutions such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Dr. Koch was joined in the debate by Ibrahim Fraihat of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies.
Dr. Mohamed Abdel Raouf, Program Manager - GRC Environmental Security and Sustainability Program, participated in the 17th Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum prior to the third United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 3), which took place at UN Environment Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya on 27-28 November 2017. Dr. Raouf moderated the 8th session on chemicals and wastes pollution, as well as presented the session recommendation in the dialogue session with Un Environment Executive Director. The Gulf Research Center participated in the meeting in its current capacity as the Global Focal Point of the Science and Technology Major Group of UN Environment.
Dr. Christian Koch gave a lecture to the NATO Regional Security Course 18 held at the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy on the subject of “The Security Environment in the Gulf” highlighting the many changes to the security discourse in the Gulf region over the past few years. Following the presentation, Dr. Koch engaged in a question and answer session which also included a presentation by course members on how NATO can improve its role in the Gulf region.
As part of the 18th Mühlheimer Near East talks organized by the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation and held at the Wolfsburg in Mühlheim a.d.R. in Germany, Dr. Christian Koch have a presentation on “Saudi Arabia’s Role in the Development of Security and Stability in the Gulf Region.” The event was attended by more than 60 representatives and was held under the general theme of “Saudi Arabia – A country in Transition”.
Dr. Christian Koch gave a lecture to the Reserve Association of the German Federal Armed Forces during workshop led in Darmstadt, Germany on the topic of “Saudi Arabia as a Regional Power.” On the second day of the meeting, he then participated in a panel discussion with the other workshop speakers on topics related to the security issues in the Middle East and its impact on German and European foreign policy.
Dr. Mohamed Abdel Raouf, Program Manager – GRC Environmental Security and Sustainability Program, co-directed and spoke at the West Asia Civil Society and Stakeholders meeting of the UN Environment - Regional Office for West Asia from 24-25 September 2017 in Amman, Jordan. The main goal of the meeting was to prepare the West Asia position and statement for the third UN Environment Assembly that will take place in Nairobi in December 2017.
