Bab Al-Bahrain

Under the Patronage of His Royal Highness

Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa

The Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain

The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry intends to hold the

Bab Al-Bahrain Forum 2025

"Shaping a Sustainable Future through Trade and Employment"

Date: 29th April 2025

Venue: Four Seasons Hotel, Bahrain Bay

It is with great pride that we welcome you to the “Bab Al-Bahrain Forum 2025”. This landmark event reflects Bahrain’s commitment to fostering international collaboration, driving economic growth, and creating sustainable employment opportunities in an evolving global landscape.

Bringing together global leaders, international organizations, and the private sector. The forum serves as a unique platform to explore innovative solutions to today’s economic challenges — from shifting trade blocs to emerging technologies and climate-conscious development.

We look forward to productive dialogues, new partnerships, and impactful outcomes that will shape a more resilient and inclusive global economy.

Welcome to Bahrain and the Bab Al-Bahrain Forum 2025.

About the Forum

The Bab Al-Bahrain Forum 2025 is a pioneering platform that brings together international organizations, global economic leaders, policymakers, and private sector innovators to explore the future of global trade, economic growth, and sustainable employment.

As Bahrain continues to enhance its role as a regional hub for trade and investment, this forum highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering inclusive economic development by building bridges between developed and emerging economies.

Over the course of two days, participants will engage in high-level discussions, expert panels, and collaborative dialogues addressing global economic shifts, evolving trade agreements, the future of employment, and the vital role of innovation and sustainability in driving economic resilience.

With the participation of renowned international bodies such as the WTO, ILO, IOE, ICC, Union of Arab Chambers, and Union of GCC Chambers, along with government ministers, business leaders, and industry experts, the forum aims to build new partnerships, share best practices, and identify actionable solutions for the challenges of today’s global economy.

Bab Al-Bahrain Forum 2025 is not only a reflection of Bahrain’s commitment to international cooperation but also a call to redefine global trade and employment strategies for a more stable, equitable, and prosperous future.

Forum Objectives:

Promote global and regional trade collaboration
Address economic transformation and workforce challenges
Explore GCC’s role as a driver of stability and investment
Foster dialogue between public and private sectors
Encourage innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth

Participants

International Organizations:

World Trade Organization (WTO)
International Labour Organization (ILO)
International Organisation of Employers (IOE)
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)

Regional Representation:

General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council
Union of Arab Chambers (UAC)
Federation of GCC Chambers (FGCCC)
Authorities and Notable Economic Personalities

Bahrain Representation:

Bahrain Chamber
Ministry of Finance & National Economy
Ministry of Industry and commerce
Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications
Private Sector Leaders

Experts & Moderators:

Notable media personalities

Speakers


H.E. Jasem AlBudaiwi Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council	H.E. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications	H.E. Abdullah Fakhro Minister of Industry and Commerce

Gilbert F. Houngbo ILO Director General	Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala WTO Director-General	Sheikh Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Rawas President of the FGCCC

Samir Majul President of the UAC	Ambassador Saqer Almoqbel General Council Chair, WTO	Jacqueline Mugo President of the IOE

Whitney Baird President and CEO, United States Council for International Business (USCIB)	Valerie Picard Head of Trade at ICC

Keynote Speakers

Yanis Varoufakis Keynote Speaker

Moderators & MCs

Lara Habib Moderator

Agenda

29th April 2025

The Official opening of the "Bab Al-Bahrain Forum 2025”

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Registration

9:05AM – 9:06 AM: National Anthem

9:06 AM – 9:10 AM: MC Introduction

9:10 AM – 9:20 AM: Video: Bahrain - A Global Economic Hub

9:20 AM - 9:30 AM

Opening Remarks


Sameer Nass Chairman of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry

9:30 AM – 9:45 AM: Honoring the forum patron , Speakers & the sponsoring companies

9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Opening Panel
Navigating Economic Transformation: The Impact of Shifting Global Blocs on Stability and Growth

Navigating Economic Transformation:
The Evolution of Economic Blocs: What does the future hold for multilateral trade agreements and employment?
Balancing Regional Stability and Global Growth
Perspectives from WTO & ILO on fostering inclusive globalization
Emerging Economies in a Turbulent World
Success stories from emerging economies
Strategies to withstand geopolitical and economic turbulence
The role of digital and green technologies in building resilience
Globalization and Supply Network Shifts
Assessing the long-term effects of supply chain realignments
The impact of "nearshoring" and "friend-shoring" on global trade (solving Migration from south to north)
Building partnerships between developed economies and emerging markets
Innovation and Technological Leapfrogging
Overcoming barriers to innovation in emerging markets
How emerging economies can gain a technological edge in key sectors
Policy frameworks to support R&D and intellectual property rights

PANELLISTS:


H.E. Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council	H.E. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro Minister of Industry and Commerce	H.E. Gilbert F. Houngbo ILO, Director-General


H.E. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala WTO, Director-General	H.E. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications


Lara Habib Moderator

10:45 AM – 11:15 AM: Keynote Address

Economic Sustainability and Employment in the Context of Global Challenges


Yanis Varoufakis Keynote Speaker

11:15 AM - 11:30 AM

Coffee Break & Networking

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

PANEL 2:
The Essential Function of the Private Sector and its NGOs in Economic Growth Relative to the Government's Position as Regulator and Service Provider

The Private Sector’s Role in Economic Development
The symbiotic relationship between private initiatives and government policies
NGOs and their contribution to sustainable development
Case studies: Successful public-private partnerships
Collaborative Pathways for Growth
Identifying shared goals between developed and emerging markets
Building equitable trade and economic policies for mutual benefit
Future challenges: Preparing for climate change and sustainability goals

PANELLISTS:


Sheikh Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Rawas President - FGCCC	Samir Majoul President- UAC	Ambassador Saqer Almoqbel General Council Chair, WTO


Jacqueline Mugo IOE, President	Whitney Baird President and CEO (USCIB)	Valerie Picard Head of Trade at ICC


Lara Habib Moderator