Dr. Mohamed Abdel Raouf, Program Manager – GRC Environmental Security and Sustainability Program, participated in the Regional Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on Implementing Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in Asia-Pacific, which took place on 24-25 March 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand. The meeting was part of the UNEP 10 Year Framework Program (10YFP) focusing on SCP. Dr. Raouf participated in the meeting as an Asia Focal Point for the Science and Technology Major Group of UNEP.
Dr. Christian Koch participated in a roundtable discussion about German Gulf policy and Germany-GCC relations as part of a study visit by three GCC academics to Berlin. Dr. Koch joined Sarah Hartmann and Sebastian Sons of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) and members of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation to discuss German policies in the Gulf, the role of think tanks in German Politics and how to improve the position of the GCC states in Germany.
Dr. Christian Koch gave a lecture at the NATO Defence College on “The GCC States and the Security of the Gulf Region” to the NATO’s Regional Cooperation Course 15 comprising 30 military officers from NATO countries and NATO partner countries. Dr. Koch provided an overview of the political, economic and security-related developments impacting the GCC countries and how recent events had influenced GCC policies.
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 2) in preparation for the second United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 2), which took place at UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya on 14-19 February 2016. Dr. Raouf presented a talk on the Major Groups participation in the Global Environment Outlook 6 during the Major Groups preparatory meeting on 14 February. 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 UNEP.
Dr. Christian Koch, Director of the GRC Foundation held meetings with the following persons during a visit to Abu Dhabi:
• Hassan Al-Omari, Head of Studies Unit, Emirates Policy Center
• Mariam Al Mahmoud – Executive Education Director; Noura Al Mazrouie - Professor, Academic Department; Phil Dufty – Director of Research and Analysis; and Stephen Lee Keck – Academic Director of the Emirates Diplomatic Academy
• Richard Burchill, Director of Research and Engagement at TRENDS Research and Advisory.
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".
