6th EU-GCC Business Forum

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About The Event

The Sixth EU-GCC Business Forum provides an ideal opportunity to focus on the most recent policy initiatives in both European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council policymaking and the tools being used to address the current challenges of climate change, energy security, green and digital transitions. Within the policy framework of the Joint Communication on ‘A Strategic Partnership with the Gulf’ recent EU policy initiatives such as the Global Gateway, Food Security and the Green Deal provide a framework for global action with strategic partners such as the GCC. Overarching themes will be addressed in the Business Forum’s keynote Opening session and will be further explored in detail in subsequent panel topics and panel discussions.

The adoption and implementation of these strategies are important not only for Europe’s future economic structure but offer potential models and partnerships for other countries across the world including the member states of the GCC. This policy and programme focus will be complemented at the event by presentations from both GCC member countries on the investment and trade project opportunities for EU businesses.

Event Background

Governments across the world are looking beyond the economic challenges of post-pandemic recovery to set strategies for sustainable long-term growth and development. In the post-pandemic period, the EU and the GCC Member States have designed policies and implemented a number of measures for sustainable economic recovery.

As stated in the Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council – “A Strategic Partnership with the Gulf” released in May 2022, given the wealth of developments since the 1989 EU-GCC Cooperation agreement, and the need for much stronger and more comprehensive cooperation, the EU is determined to partner with the Gulf region and

revitalise cooperation through a robust strategic partnership and solid bilateral institutional frameworks.

Increasing trade and investment, fighting climate change, ensuring global health and energy security and a smooth green transition are all issues of strong mutual interest. A strategic partnership between the EU and the GCC and its Member States will increase the prosperity and security of both partners and make a real difference in meeting global challenges. Such a partnership will build on the traditional strong links that already exist between individual GCC and EU Member States.

Policy Areas

People

The new concept of Industry 5.0 and the evolution of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Preparing the workforce of tomorrow - Right skills for jobs

Place

Maximising business opportunities from the Green Deal and Circular Economy.
Smart Cities – Technology in action in an Urban context
Sustainable tourism in a post-pandemic world

Prosperity

The Global Gateway - Building resilient connections across the world
Safeguarding Supply chains – Benefits for Industry and Consumers
Innovation, Digitalisation and Creativity – How policy makers can spur innovation in the digital economy

Overall Objectives of the Business Forum

• To provide the opportunity for GCC governments and private sector actors to familiarise themselves with the EU priorities related to the EU – GCC relations as outlined in the in the Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council – “A Strategic Partnership with the Gulf” released in May 2022 and with the EU latest policies and programmes;

• To provide the opportunity for EU governments and private sector to familiarize themselves with the GCC priorities and latest policies and programmes;

• To identify mutual trade and investment opportunities for the European private sector

• To establish partnerships to participate in programmes to deepen the trade and business links between the EU and GCC partners for sustainable economic development.