On Sunday, May 19, and Monday, May 20, 2024, the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS) held s a high-level meeting entitled “The Middle East in a Changing World: Uncertainties, Risks, and Opportunities,” in cooperation with Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC) and United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. A number of current and former dignitaries, officials, diplomates, and intellectual participated in the meeting. 

The welcoming remarks were delivered by HRH Prince Turki AlFaisal (The Chairman of the Board of Directors of KFCRIS), HE President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, (Co-Chair of NGIC and former President of Latvia), and HE Miguel Angel Moratinos (High-Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations). The keynote remark was delivered by HE Eng. Waleed Al-Khuraiji, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. 

The participants discussed the transformations of the global order and their implications for geopolitical regions worldwide, particularly the Middle East. Topics included the Arab-Palestinian-Israeli conflict, water, and maritime lane security, failed states in the region, the growing power and reach of violent non-state actors, and the urgent need for global dialogue to enhance understanding and cooperation in resolving international geopolitical and economic issues. The conference emphasized recognizing diverse cultural and religious contexts and reforming global institutions to become more effective and representative

On the first day, the meeting was moderated by Dr. Ismail Serageldin (Co-Chair of NGIC and former Vice President of the World Bank), Dr. Abdulaziz Sager (Chair of the Gulf Research Center), and HE Dr. Tamader AL-Rammah (Former Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Development). On the second day, the meeting was moderated by Dr. Huda Al-Halisi (Member of the Shura Council) and HE Zlatko Lagumdzija (Former Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina and former Deputy Prime Minister).