Dr. Mohamed Abdel Raouf, Program Manager – GRC Environmental Security and Sustainability Program, participated in the 6th International Symposium for Future Earth in Asia, which took place at Kyoto University in Kyoto, Japan on 15-16 January 2018. Dr. Raouf delivered a presentation titled “Sustainable Consumption and Production in West Asia Region.”
Dr. Koch participated in the annual Berlin Foreign Policy Forum organized by the Körber Foundation in Berlin, Germany. The meeting was opened by German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel and featured discussions on the future of the European Project, European Defense and Security Policy, a discussion on the prospects of a Westphalia-like peace approach to the issues confronting the Middle East, and a debate about the implications of the North Korean crisis. The event brought together more than 150 experts and policy practioners.
Dr. Mohamed Abdel Raouf, Program Manager – GRC Environmental Security and Sustainability Program, participated in the second meeting of the Open-Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR 3) in preparation for the second United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 3), which took place at UN Environment Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. 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, 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.
