ARAB ECONOMIC SECURITY IN LIGHT OF GEOPOLITICAL CHANGES FORUM
25-26 April 2024 Phoenicia Intercontinental Hotel – Beirut – Lebanon
GENERAL BACKGROUND
As the first quarter of the year 2024 approaches its end, the economic and social repercussions of the Gaza war on the Arab region are becoming clear, whether for the countries surrounding the war area, due to the hit to tourism and investment sectors; or for other Arab countries resulting from the impact on shipping lines and supply chains. Due to that, the International Monetary Fund lowered in January 2024 its growth forecast for the Middle East and North Africa region by half a percentage point compared to its forecast issued in October 2023.
On the other hand, the international geopolitical conflict, especially the Russian-Ukrainian war, continues for the third year in a row, to fragment the international financial markets and trade, which has represented, and continues to represent, a challenge to the Arab food security. These conflicts have exacerbated the food deficit resulting from the clashes taking place in a number of Arab countries, and the climate change and drought that hit many Arab countries. Concerning this issue specifically, the Arab region is considered one of the geographical regions around the world most affected by climate change and water pressures and therefore is one of the most fragile regions in terms of water resources.
38
Speakers
2
Days
200
Attendance
Background
In parallel with the rapid technological developments taking place in the Arab region in various economic and governmental sectors, and with the spread of digitization in service sectors and business institutions, cybersecurity challenges are constantly increasing. As the use of artificial intelligence and digital transformation accelerates in Arab countries, cybersecurity risks rise in both public and private sectors. Because of its significant economic and security repercussions, governments and business institutions invest continuously and increasingly in developing the infrastructure and human resources working in cybersecurity.
In the midst of all these challenges and risks, the Union of Arab Banks will hold a high-level forum, entitled “The Arab Economic Security in Light of Geopolitical Changes Forum” in Beirut – Lebanon, on April 17 and 18, 2024, to gather Arab economic and banking decision-makers, and experts in economic, food security, and cybersecurity issues, to discuss the challenges facing the Arab region. The Union also aims through this forum to shed light on the economic, financial, and monetary policies necessary to confront the crises facing the Arab countries, and those that put pressure on their development path, and how to push forward for achieving the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in the Arab region.
TOPICS OF DISCUSSION
– The repercussions of regional conflicts on growth in the Arab region.
– The repercussions of the international geopolitical conflict on Arab food security.
– Cybersecurity challenges in the government and economic sectors.
– The economic, financial and monetary crises facing Arab countries.
– How to achieve sustainable development goals in light of political and security instability.
– The Arab cooperation to achieve food security and enhance cybersecurity.
UAB Sponsors for 2024 Activities
