Outlook and Opportunities in the MENA Region

The Context

The MENA region is undergoing significant transformations in governance, geopolitics, economics, and security, presenting both challenges and opportunities.

In response to these dynamics, this project aims to:

  1. Review the current Swiss MENA Strategy 2021–2024,
  2. Assess existing and emerging challenges, as well as potential developments in the region, and
  3. Develop policy options and recommendations for Switzerland. The findings will contribute to shaping the next Swiss MENA Strategy.

On October 5–6, 2023, the GCSP, in collaboration with the Centre on Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding (CCDP), organized a workshop titled Outlook and Opportunities in the MENA Region: Analytics and Options for the Swiss MENA Strategy.

The Project

The workshop convened 27 international experts to analyze current and future challenges and trends in the MENA region. Drawing on preliminary desk research, discussions covered key geopolitical, social, and economic developments. Additionally, country-specific analyses provided valuable insights from experts based in the region.
Building on the workshop’s outcomes, GCSP and CCDP experts engaged with FDFA representatives to explore policy options for Switzerland’s next MENA strategy, ultimately providing recommendations to inform future decision-making.