Beirut Institute Summit 2019

Beirut Institute Summit Abu Dhabi Edition III

Beirut Institute convened a wide spectrum of thinkers including political leaders, senior policymakers, prominent intellectuals, leading CEOs, and civil society leaders to reflect on the evolving relationship between the Arab region and the world.

Sunday | October 13, 2019

	Opening of Beirut Institute Summit and Welcome Address

	Dazzling Decades: Technology & the Age of Disruption

	The Future of the Gulf from Escalation to Maritime Security: Is Transformation Sustainable Amid Volatility? With the Gulf region lingering on the brink, can the ambitious plans for reform be realized? Will visions and conflicts coexist or is another clash inevitable? What is the impact of geopolitical dynamics on the future of the GCC countries?

	Address by Host Country

	Women Prepare for the 2020s:Testimonials by Women Women leaders from the Arab region and beyond offer their bottom line prescriptions with one-minute messages regarding what specifically is required to prepare the Arab region for the decade of the 2020s.

	Is America Firmly in the Lead or is it Delegating to Subcontractors? With the Trump Administration's change of course from that of its predecessors, what impact is this American reset having on the Middle East and the Gulf region? Did the inconsistency in American foreign policy change the dynamics of regional conflicts? Is there an American master plan for the Arab region in the next decade? Or does the US want to delegate extensively to subcontractors?

	Positioning the Arab Region in the Next Decade: Is There a Roadmap? Who leads shaping the 2020s agenda for the Arab region? In light of fundamental challenges, what priorities should top the 2020s agenda? Are the geopolitical agents shaping the roadmap for the next decade, or is there a new tapestry of local and global forces evolving?

	Beirut Institute Summit Gala Dinner Honoring Exceptional Excellence

Monday | October 14, 2019

	The Innovation We Expect and How to Harness Data Responsibly What are the latest innovations that will disrupt the transition into the new decade of the 2020s? What breakthroughs can we expect in Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and other high-tech fields? What ethical considerations need to be taken into account as the pace of technological change is gaining momentum in the Arab region?

	The Economics of Geopolitics in the Middle East Where are the investment opportunities for China, Russia, EU and the US in the Arab region in the 2020s? How will they marry geopolitics with reconstruction in post-conflict countries like Syria, Yemen, and Iraq in the next decade as well as countries in transition such as Libya?

	A Conversation with Wisdom An intergenerational discussion between three former Secretary- Generals of the League of Arab States and the Gulf Cooperation Council with two young leaders for tomorrow.

	I'm so Excited and Here's Why:Testimonials by the Youth Young leaders from the Arab region and beyond offer their perspectives with one-minute messages regarding what they look forward to in the decade of the 2020s.

	Dealing with Conflicts: the Importance of the Human Infrastructure When dealing with conflicts and in the aftermath of conflicts, the human infrastructure is often forgotten or dismissed. Who are the stakeholders responsible for rebuilding the human infrastructure? What roadmap is needed to address this important matter in the Arab region for the next decade?

	PwC Presentation - Fit for the Future: Creating a Digitally-advanced Citizen-centric Society Change breeds innovation; how can the region reduce lost economic opportunities by building a more inclusive, sustainable and digitally upskilled society that is fit for the future?

	The Look of the Next Decade: Transitioning to a Circular Economy and Positioning the Arab Region in the Global Industry of Fashion, Design, and Architecture How can the fashion industry transition into a system built on sustainability? How do we manage the lifecycle of luxury products through circular business models? How do we position the Arab region to stand as a strong force in global design? How can policy makers support local designers and elevate the Arab region as a hub for creative talent?

	Will Europe Wither or Will it Weather the Gathering Storms? The European Union has become more fragmented and the transatlantic relations have turned volatile. What is needed to reinstate confidence in Europe? Will political shifts restore Europe's status or will it diminish its influence in the Middle East?

	The Security Discourse: Towards a Decade of Peace or a Decade of Wars Is there a new regional security order on the horizon in the Arab region? What does it take to widen the security discourse beyond the military dimension? How do we adapt the existing foreign policy framework to keep up with the unprecedented technological changes such as cybersecurity interventions? Is the Arab region equipped to handle the wave of change to come?

	American-Russian Relations: Clash or Collaboration in the Middle East? Is the Middle East still a contested sphere in the new American-Russian agendas? Do the US and Russia have polarizing views on the regional balance of power between the Arab countries, Iran, Israel, and Turkey? Or is the region altogether secondary to both powers?

	2020 Hindsight. 2020s Foresight A Town-Hall Conversation At this interactive two hour session, all delegates to the summit engage in a Town-Hall conversation with a semi-circle of 20 delegates on stage and other delegates in the audience completing the circle. Raghida Dergham will kick-off the session with questions to delegates on stage and then engage others in this constructive, forward looking, action-oriented conversation. The session culminates with the 2019 Beirut Institute Summit in Abu Dhabi Declaration.