Upcoming Events

 Abstract : The Gulf oil-producing states are now facing the harsh reality that the world’s energy landscape is rapidly changing, taking into account the increasing link between energy consumption and climate change. The global energy market is thus experiencing a dramatic shift, with new producers and technologies challenging the traditional dominance of fossil fuels in the global transition toward decarbonization and net-zero emissions. Historically, oil has been critical in supporting the region’s political systems, maintaining rulers’ legitimacy, and sustaining the social contract that ensured relatively high living standards. However, as the world moves away from carbon-based energy sources, the Gulf states must reshape their economies to adapt to the long-term global transition. They will have to respond to this new dynamic in energy geopolitics with new policies to maintain their standing. Several states have launched ambitious plans to diversify their economies from oil and expand the region’s renewable energy sector. Nevertheless, in the foreseeable future, revenues from oil exports particularly to Asia, where demand is rising will remain crucial for the Gulf states.

   At this Majlis@Waseda series held at Akita University this dynamic change is going to be thoroughly discussed under the following themes:
-Emerging trends in global energy and its impact on the Gulf region
-Economic diversification, the future of social contract, regime legitimacy, and stability in the post-oil era
-Middle Eastern rivalry, conflicts, tensions, and insecurity and the challenges for hydrocarbon export from the Gulf -Regional competition and cooperation among Gulf states relating to energy and the role of the superpowers -Energy sector reforms, the future of Gulf hydrocarbons, and prospects for renewable energy in the Gulf