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GCC-EU Webinar Series

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GCC-EU Relations: Toward the Strategic Partnership
Webinar Series

With the release of the EU’s Joint Communication on a “Strategic Partnership with the Gulf” and its subsequent approval by the EU Council of Minister in June 2022, a renewed attempt is being undertaken to give EU-GCC relations a more structured framework around which to conceptualize and deepen mutual ties. With the document being received favorably by the GCC countries, the emphasis must now be placed on working out implementation strategies for the many issue-oriented areas that the document identifies – from political and regional security affairs, to economic and energy relations, to technology and digital development, as well as education, culture and humanitarian coordination. To start the process of identifying the best way forward, the Gulf Research Center (GRC) will hold a regular webinar series dedicated to specific issues outlined in the joint communication. These webinar discussions will allow both sides to exchange views and present perspectives with the objective of putting forward concrete suggestion for policy implementation as the way forward.

01

Taking Stock and Looking Forward: Outlines for the GCC-EU Strategic Partnership

Issues: Status of Relations, Priorities, Development of Action Plan
Questions: With the unveiling of the joint communication by the European Commission on a strategic partnership with the Gulf, the EU has taken a concrete step towards more substantive and comprehensive ties with the Gulf region and in particular the GCC states. How can the partnership document now be translated into action? What is the view from both the EU and the GCC states in terms of moving forward? What are key priorities areas to focus on? How can one ensure that the current momentum can be carried forward?
  • November 29, 2022
  • Ended
02

The Energy Transition and Climate Action

Issues: Green Transition, Hydrogen Partnerships, COP meetings, Sustainable Finance Arrangements, Decarbonization, Circular Economy
Questions: What are the primary areas to focus on when it comes to the energy transition? Where must the emphasis be placed in the short-term? How can closer partnerships in terms of energy supply, energy development and energy security be structured? What does each side bring to the table? What the key aspects of both the EU’s and the GCC’s vision in terms of the climate change agenda and how can a workable action plan be developed?
  • December 20, 2022, 1-2:30PM KSA
  • Ended
03

Regional Security

Issues: Promoting regional de-escalation, political-military dialogue, conflict prevention mechanisms, regional coordination on Iran. Yemen, Iraq, Syria etc.
Questions: What are needed mechanisms to improve the dialogue on regional security issues? How can the EU and the GCC move towards increased shared understanding on regional threats? How can an agenda on regional peace-building be formulated? What can the EU provide to maintain the momentum on de-escalation in the region?
  • January 10, 2023, 1-2:30PM KSA
  • Ended
04

Enhancing the EU-GCC Trade and Investment Partnership

Issues: Economic Diversification, EU Chamber of Commerce, Business Partnerships. Joint Venture, SME Enhancement, Investment Opportunities
Questions: What is the current status of the EU-GCC Trade and Investment Partnership? What are current trends that are impacting economic ties? Should the idea of an EU-GCC Free Trade Agreement be revisited? What priority areas can be identified in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic? How can investment opportunities be capitalized on?
  • January 31, 2023, 1-2:30PM KSA
  • Ended
05

Environmental Sustainability

Issues: Marine Resources, Biodiversity, Waste Management, Desertification, Dust Storms, Pollution
Questions: What are the key environmental issues that can beneft from closer EU-GCC ties? How can regional cooperation be enhanced, for example, the Regional Organization for the Protectionof the Marine Environment? What is the promising way forward to combat the rising threat from dust storms? What are Gulf regional initiatives that would benefit from EU cooperation? What does a substantive EU-GCC agenda on environmental sustainability look like?
  • February 14, 2023 , 1-2:30PM KSA
  • Ended
06

Education and Youth Mobility

Issues: Research and Innovation, Vocational Training, Erasmus Mundus +, Cooperation on Research

Questions: How can student mobility between the EU and the GCC states be enhanced? How can awareness about suitable programs for which the GCC countries are eligible be increased in order to create broader participation? What types of research partnerships can be envisioned? What other types of program, for example , in vocational training can be pursued?

  • March 7, 2023, 1-2:30PM KSA
  • Ended
07

Security Issues

Issues: Maritime Security, CBRN Issues, Counter-Terrorism, Cyber Security, Nuclear Safety
Questions: How can the EU-GCC security relationship be enhanced? What role do arms sales play in this equation? How can freedom of navigation and maritime security be assured in line with the EU-Coordinated Maritime Presence? What lessons are learned from counter-terrorism cooperation so far and what next steps should be taken? What areas in terms of cyber security can help to provide a more stable and secure environment?  How can communication and coordination be improved to address hybrid attacks?
  • March 28, 2023 , 1-2:30PM KSA
  • Ended
08

Health Resilience

Issues: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Health Delivery, Resilience Response Mechanisms, Global Cooperation

Questions: What the key lessons to be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic? What collective efforts can be put forward to support better coordination and cooperation? How can one best improve pandemic preparedness and response? What are specific steps to be taken to improve public health delivery and response capacity? What medium- to long term recovery instruments should be considered?

  • April 11, 2023 , 1-2:30PM KSA
  • Ended
09

Enhancing Digital Connectivity  

Issues: Digital Networks and Infrastructure, Digital Innovation Hubs, EU’s Global Gateway, Cyber Security

Questions: What is the role of the GCC states in the EU’s Global Gateway strategy? How can the concept of digital innovation hubs be implemented in the EU-GCC context? How can the two sides cooperate on the development of needed infrastructure? How can digital skills be enhanced? What consideration must be given the digital protection? Where can cyber security collaboration be enhanced?

  • May 23, 2023, 1-2:30PM KSA
  • Ended
10

Promoting Transport  

Issues: Aviation, Railways, Maritime Safety, Green Mobility
Questions: What are the next steps in terms of aviation cooperation? How can aviation safety, air traffic management, social and environmental standards be increased/enhanced? Where should the emphasis be placed in terms of infrastructure to improve connections through transport corridors? What are opportunities in the sector of green mobility? How can EU-GCC cooperation on railways be reinvigorated? What need to be kept in mind in terms of maritime safety?
  • June 6, 2023, 1-2:30PM KSA
  • Ended
11

Humanitarian and Development Cooperation  

Issues: Humanitarian Assistance Coordination, Donor Institutions, OECD Arab-DAC dialogue on development
Questions: How can funding and efficiency in international humanitarian aid be improved in the context of EU-GCC relations? How can a bridge be found between bi-lateral and multi-lateral approaches? How can international humanitarian law be strengthened? What mechanisms must be put in place to strengthen coordination between the EU, GCC states, Arab Financial institutions and organizations such as the OIC? What the key areas for the EU and the GCC states to emphasize and concentrate on?
  • June 12, 2023 , 3:00 – 4:30PM KSA
  • Ended
12

Institutional Relations   

Issues: GCC and EU as Institutions, Institutional Engagement, Partnership Agreements, Capacity-Building, Organizational Exchanges
Questions: How can one best strengthen the institutional arrangements for cooperation? How can on improve and enhance existing framework? How does one best combine bilateral engagement with a sustained regional partnership? What are flagship activities to be considered? What need to be considered as far as current Partnership Agreements is concerned? How can cooperation in terms of policymaking and public diplomacy coordination be improved?
  • July 4, 2023 , 1-2:30PM KSA
  • Ended