World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa 2019 | World Economic Forum

As we enter a new phase of globalization, the Middle East and North Africa seeks to create its own path for societal and economic advancement.

Against this backdrop, the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa 2019 brings together over 1,000 key leaders at the Dead Sea, Jordan, to enable collaboration on the most pressing challenges facing the region.

Read our collection of articles that explore the key themes behind the meeting.

Highlights

5 key challenges facing the MENA region

Emerging Technologies

AI has the potential to enrich our lives in so many ways – if we use it properly

Energy Transition

These are the biggest risks facing the Middle East and North Africa

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Five ways to increase gender parity in the MENA region

Pamela Thomson-Hall 05 Apr 2019

5 ways cities can use emerging technologies to fight climate change

Mounir Kabbara 05 Apr 2019

A new generation of women leaders is making waves in the Arab world

Rana Zakarneh 05 Apr 2019

MENA’s start-up scene is taking off. Here’s how investors can join in

Omar El Hamamsy, Ahmad Alkasmi, Luay Khoury, and Abdur-Rahim Syed 02 Apr 2019

10 start-ups that are helping to change the Arab world

Douglas Broom 05 Apr 2019

Jobs and the Future of Work

How to create more jobs in a fast-changing Middle East

Omar Fahoum 02 Apr 2019

Jobs and the Future of Work

MENA’s growing young population is a huge opportunity – if we get it right

Geert Cappelaere 04 Apr 2019

Geographies in Depth

Chinese tech investors are turning towards MENA. Here's why

Stephany Zoo 05 Apr 2019

Fourth Industrial Revolution

5G will drive Industry 4.0 in the Middle East and Africa

Mikael Bäck 07 Apr 2019

The Middle East needs a technological revolution. Start-ups can lead the way

Khalid Al Rumaihi 01 Apr 2019

Topics

All

We have the tools to beat climate change. Now we need to legislate

Dietmar Siersdorfer 06 Apr 2019

Jobs and the Future of Work

We underestimate the power of data at our peril. This is why

Hani Weiss 02 Apr 2019

Education and Skills

How MENA’s universities can transform the region into the world’s next tech hub

Tony F. Chan 27 Mar 2019

Can fighting climate change bring the Arab world closer together?

Neeshad Shafi 01 Apr 2019

This is how we inspire young people in the Middle East to join the fight against climate change

Asmaa Abu Mezied 01 Apr 2019

Sustainable Development

How solar is powering the Middle East towards renewables

Douglas Broom 26 Mar 2019

Wellbeing and Mental Health

There is a mental health crisis in entrepreneurship. Here’s how to tackle it

Marcel Muenster and Paul Hokemeyer 22 Mar 2019

Poor access to finance is holding back businesses in MENA. This is how we can help them

Jihad Azour 27 Mar 2019

This is how Middle Eastern retailers can keep up with e-commerce

Abdellah Iftahy, Franck Laizet, and Zaid Ghazaleh 01 Apr 2019

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

How women in MENA are taking on the status quo - and winning

Noor Alsalhi 07 Apr 2019

How to follow our meeting on the Middle East and North Africa 2019

Ross Chainey 20 Mar 2019

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Impostor syndrome, glass ceilings and glass cliffs. What every working woman needs to know

Claudia Vergueiro Massei 04 Apr 2019

Urban Transformation

How Dubai can solve its lack of affordable housing

Mahmoud Hesham El Burai 27 Mar 2019

The Arab world’s best weapon against climate change? Its young people

Neeshad Shafi 18 Jan 2019

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The key to sustainable growth in MENA? Getting more women into work

Hani Ashkar 07 Apr 2019

Nature and Biodiversity

The Middle East's first zero-waste shop has opened in Beirut

Sophie Hirsh · Green Matters 12 Mar 2019

Nature and Biodiversity

Can Qatar's low-carbon city show a greener Middle East future?

Heba Kanso · Thomson Reuters Foundation trust.org 06 Mar 2019

Resilience, Peace and Security

Countering sectarian and religious conflict in the Middle East

RAND Corporation 13 Feb 2019