2025 Seventh Annual Gulf International Conference

Download the 2025 Annual Conference Program Here:

2025 Annual Conference Program

Conference Synopsis

Gulf states are undergoing a profound transformation, shifting from oil-fueled economies to diverse, innovation-driven engines of growth. Our seventh annual conference brings together policymakers, diplomats, Gulf experts, and business leaders in Washington to explore how the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are leveraging their energy wealth to build a digital strategy for the future, gain an economic edge through diversification, and strengthen regional resilience. Discussions will offer insight into the visionary economic reforms underway across the Gulf and examine their implications for U.S.–Gulf relations and global policy. With non-oil sectors now growing faster than oil in many GCC states, the region is emerging as a hub not just for hydrocarbons but for innovation and investment. 

In recent years, Gulf leaders have placed economic diversification and investment at the center of their agendas, reshaping relationships long defined by oil and security. Coinciding with the growing prioritization of economic growth in the Gulf’s foreign policy is an emerging era of “economic diplomacy” between Washington and the Gulf capitals. This era is marked by tech-focused investment deals, sovereign wealth fund partnerships, and joint initiatives in infrastructure and energy transition. As Gulf states pursue ambitious development visions, they seek a relationship with the United States built on innovation and shared prosperity, rather than one focused solely on oil exports. For Washington, too, the Gulf has become a “new business frontier” anchored in high-return projects and strategic tech cooperation.

While this economic-first approach is transforming Gulf–U.S. relations, it also exposes the region to new vulnerabilities that could threaten the very diversification strategies that are driving this shift. Geopolitical uncertainties—from regional conflicts and persistent security tensions—threaten investor confidence and pose significant risks to Gulf economic stability. At the same time, structural vulnerabilities such as oil price volatility and global trade disruptions add further strain to state budgets. These pressures are compounded by non-traditional challenges: climate change, extreme heat, and chronic water scarcity are forcing Gulf governments to allocate greater resources to adaptation measures precisely as hydrocarbon revenues become less predictable. This evolving context underscores the importance of bolstering resilience, both domestically and through international partnerships.

The conference offers a unique lens on the Gulf’s evolution from an energy exporter to an innovation-driven regional leader. Together, our panels underscore a narrative of visionary change and strategic partnership—one that policymakers and business leaders in Washington cannot afford to overlook. The Gulf’s ability to turn economic ambition into reality will have far-reaching implications: for global markets, for regional stability in the Middle East, and for the future of U.S.-Gulf relations. This conference invites attendees to engage with that future, informed by candid insights and a shared commitment to progress.

Conference Program:

8:30 – 9:00 Registration, Breakfast, and Networking 

9:05 – 9:15 Executive Director’s Opening Remarks

9:15 – 9:25 Keynote Address by H.E. Deemah AlYahya, Secretary General of the Digital Cooperation Organization

9:30 – 10:40 Opening Panel Economy First: Prioritizing U.S. and Gulf Prosperity 

Fahad Nazer, Official Spokesperson for the Embassy of Saudi Arabia to the United States 

Amine Mati, Assistant Director, Mission Chief for Saudi Arabia, and Head GCC Division, IMF

Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Financial Centre Authority 

Dr. Karen Young, Senior Research Scholar in the Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University; Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute

Dr. Tarik Yousef (Moderator), Senior Fellow and Advisor, Middle East Council on Global Affairs; Senior Non-Resident Fellow, Gulf International Forum 

11:45 – 12:25 Fireside Chat with H.E. Dr. Mohammad Nedal Alchaar, Minister of Economy and Industry of the Syrian Arab Republic, moderated by the Honorable Nick J. Rahall II 

12:30 – 1:00 Fireside Chat with H.E. Mahmood Al-Aweini, Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance of the Sultanate of Oman

1:00 – 1:40 Lunch Reception 

1:40 – 2:00 Special Conversation with Her Highness Princess Noura bint Turki Al Saud, moderated by Rachel Ziemba

2:00 – 3:00 Third Panel Innovation at the Core: Tech and Investments Shaping GCC Futures Amid Regional Transformations

Mohsin Al Jabri, Director General, Oman Net Zero Centre

Rachel Ziemba, Senior Non-Resident Fellow, Gulf International Forum; Adjunct Senior Fellow, Center for a New American Security (CNAS); Founder, Ziemba Insights 

Dr. Abdullah Baabood, Board of Directors Member, Gulf International Forum

Valentina Pasquali (Moderator), Senior Editor, Arabian Gulf Business Insight 

2025 Annual Conference Program