TRENDS Global, part of the TRENDS Group, said in a statement that it will partner with the Observer Research Foundation Middle East to organize the second edition of their joint economic dialogue. The event, set for August 20, 2026, at the Observer headquarters in the Dubai World Trade Center, is titled Balancing Connectivity and Economic Security: Post-Conflict Strategies for the Global South and the MENA Region. It seeks to track regional developments, propose solutions to conflicts and forecast their impacts, according to the announcement from TRENDS Global.
Participants will engage in two dedicated sessions that explore mechanisms to create resilient interdependence in trade and logistics sectors. The dialogue will also present visions for reshaping the regional landscape to bolster energy and food security, the statement indicated. Such discussions come as global commerce shifts toward greater emphasis on resilience following periods of geopolitical strain.
Awadh Al-Breiki, director general of TRENDS Global, stated that countries across the Global South and MENA region face a complex challenge in the post-U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict phase. Al-Breiki said how to rebuild their economies by expanding integration into global markets while protecting the nation-state from external shocks and achieving economic security. He added that the concept of economic security in these countries centers on vital priorities such as food and water security, financial sovereignty and social stability, in contrast to Western models focused on high technology.
The dialogue will examine multiple post-conflict strategies, TRENDS Global reported in its announcement. These include diversifying trade partners and supply chains, activating inter-trade agreements, strengthening multilateral alliances and localizing strategic industries especially in renewable energy and vital manufacturing. They further encompass building resilient financial and monetary systems along with expanding special economic zones designed to attract foreign direct investment.
A 2020 World Bank paper on reconstruction for security, sustainable peace and equity in the Middle East and North Africa underlined the value of inclusive institutions and sustainable economic opportunities in post-conflict settings. The assessment advocated restarting local economies through support for small-scale private sector activity that creates jobs and empowers communities. This approach aligns with themes of resilience, diversification and strategic connectivity that organizers have highlighted for the upcoming sessions.
ORFME materials describe global commerce and economic relations as entering a new phase defined by disrupted supply chains and the need for combined resilience and sustainable growth. The second dialogue builds upon prior collaboration between TRENDS Global and ORFME on analyzing international events. Discussions are expected to yield forward-looking perspectives on regional economic partnerships and security.
