Seventh Annual Sir Bani Yas Forum concludes today in Abu Dhabi

The seventh annual Sir Bani Yas Forum, a high-level policy forum organised by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in collaboration with the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), concluded on Sunday in Abu Dhabi.

The annual senior-level retreat is the initiative of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The aim of the Forum is to facilitate action-oriented discussions among eminent decision-makers and thought leaders about critical issues relevant to peace and security in the Middle East.

The Forum, which ran from 18th to 20th November, featured debate and discussion around central challenges confronting regional and world powers in the Middle East.

Through a combination of expert presentations and panel discussions, the sessions addressed efforts to end regional conflicts, including challenges to the Middle East Peace Process, key elements of the fight against Daesh in Syria and Iraq, and trajectories in terrorism and potential responses to the threat. The Forum also featured bespoke research and exclusive polling that contributed to the robust analysis of regional challenges.

Current and former foreign ministers from around the world as well as a select number of international policy experts convened to share their knowledge and insight.

Reflecting on the proceedings of the Forum, former Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad called the proceedings, "Warm, intimate, frank and highly useful."

Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar said, "To see and to hear from the principal people involved in these conflicts - what is happening in Syria, what is happening in Iraq- is an amazing experience."

President of the International Rescue Committee, and former UK Foreign Minister David Miliband said, "This year's Sir Bani Yas conference brought together a diverse and highly informed group to grapple with the serious and urgent problems facing the Middle East today." He added, "The Sir Bani Yas Forum showed the value of dialogue and expert input in an open setting."

The Forum convened at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

As in past years, all proceedings were conducted under the Chatham House Rule of non-attribution; there were no prepared statements, no communiques, and no reporting media.