Economic Research Forum (ERF) 29th Annual Conference
Nile University had the privilege of hosting the ERF 29th Annual Conference, a three-day from May 4 - 6, that comprised multiple plenary sessions on diverse subjects, delivered by distinguished speakers from different fields. The conference was held on the Nile University campus, and the speakers shared their knowledge and expertise with the attendees, providing valuable insights into their respective areas of specialization. Nile University would like to express its gratitude for the opportunity to host the conference and all the speakers who made it a successful event.
The 29th ERF Annual Conference chiefly focused on both the risks and opportunities faced by the Middle East and North Africa in such a changing and challenging environment. Moreover, it shed light on the importance of reorganizing priorities and adopting active economic and social policies at both the short and long-term horizons, especially in terms of digital transformation, green economy, and fintech, which are indispensable for a new development model.
On the first exciting day which was filled with three thought-provoking plenary sessions that covered a wide range of topics.
In the first plenary session, "Embarking on a Path of Renewal: MENA Commission on Stabilization and Growth – Perspectives and Feedback from the Policy Community," we heard from esteemed speakers such as Hassan Aly, Dean of School of Business at Nile University and ERF; Wael Akl, President of Nile University; Ibrahim Elbadawi, Managing Director of ERF; H.E. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, Egypt; H.E. Omar Razzaz, Former Prime Minister of Jordan; and Arjan de Haan, Senior Program Specialist at the International Development Research Center (IDRC).
The second plenary session, "Embarking on a Path of Renewal: MENA Commission on Stabilization and Growth – Insights into More Hopeful Directions," provided valuable insights from experts such as Ishac Diwan from the Finance for Development Lab & ERF; Adnan Mazarei from the Peterson Institute for International Economics; Adel Ben Youssef from the University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis & ERF; Hafez Ghanem, former Vice President of Eastern and Southern Africa; Ellen Lust from the University of Gothenburg; and Shantayanan Devarajan, Professor of Practice of International Development at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University.
Finally, in the third plenary session, "Global view: A Panoramic perspective of Risks and Opportunities", we gained insights from Mahmoud Mohieldin, Climate Change Champion and ERF; Jeffrey Sachs, Distinguished Economist, Academic, Public Policy Analyst; Klaus Schmidt-Hebbel from Universidad del Desarrollo, Chile; Saba Almubaslat, Regional Director of the Ford Foundation; Hassan Hakimian from Hamad Bin Khalifa University and ERF; and Leila Baghdadi from the University of Tunis and ERF.
We are grateful to all the speakers for sharing their knowledge and expertise with us.
