EPC to host second Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate in November

The Emirates Policy Centre (EPC) will host the 2nd Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate (ADSD), at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi on 1st and 2nd November, with the aim of reaching a better understanding amongst regional and international actors, enhancing policy-making efforts and consolidating Abu Dhabi’s role as a hub for exchanging ideas and suggesting solutions and alternatives for all-scale issues.

In a press conference today, Dr. Ibtisam Al Ketbi, Chairperson of the EPC, said the ADSD will discuss influential policies and transformations in the region and the world.

"To this end, the Emirates Policy Centre (EPC) aspires to diversify its partners and expand its expertise by capitalising on various research environments to achieve the set objectives for the Annual Debate. The EPC endorses the conviction that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and their strategic depth are not limited to serving as recipients of regional and international powers’ influence, but are significant actors in the process," she said.

Dr. Al Ketbi added that views must be presented clearly and without diplomatic manoeuvring through the presence of representatives of decision-making circles in the UAE, Arab Gulf States and think-tanks. As such, the UAE/GCC’s participation will avoid being limited to highlighting concerns of countries in the region.

Key topics of the debate will span various issues, including the Gulf in a new world; the Middle East as a region in distress in a changing global environment; extremism and terrorism: global mapping, patterns, and strategies; International politics in the digital age, the troubled world economic order; and strategic shocks and global futures.

While the first edition of the ADSD focussed on discussing regional issues, the EPC will expand its scope of debate for the 2015 ADSD by looking at understanding international strategies; - International players remain influential in the region; therefore, the strategies and policies of these actors towards the Arabian Gulf must be re-examined; - International and regional developments such as the crisis of oil and energy prices; the ongoing global economic crisis and its impact on Europe in particular; spill-over of violence and terrorism into the heart of Europe; revival of the geostrategic competition in Asia/Southern Asia (China, Japan and international and regional powers); the ongoing and deepening regional crises in Syria, Libya, and Yemen; the upcoming American presidential elections, with the possibility of a Republican comeback and consequences on US foreign policy in the region and the international crises facing the US: competition with other superpowers, impact of energy on the US foreign policy (US domestic energy production and the global energy market.) In organising the 2nd debate, ADSD seeks to: - Promote Abu Dhabi as the capital of regional and international gatherings; - Capitalise on the presence of influential and intellectual actors to direct policies at regional and international levels in a way that benefits the UAE decision-makers; - Consolidate the EPC’s approach in addressing strategic issues of interest for the UAE and the GCC; - Root on the success of the first debate through its outcome on regional and international developments at the political/security and economic levels; - Develop recommendations through public policies and political decisions that serve the UAE’s national interests.

Source: WAM