Securing Trade and Development: The case for an Economic Corridor between India, the Gulf, and Europe

Veranstaltungsart
Munich Security Conference (MSC) Side Event

Ort / Datum
Munich, 14.02.2025

German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), India

In an evolving geopolitical environment, the need for secure, resilient and sustainability-oriented trade routes has become more critical than ever. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), launched during the G20 Summit in New Delhi (September 2023), presents a transformative opportunity to foster deeper economic integration and enhance connectivity across three key regions: Asia, the Arabian Gulf, and Europe. By facilitating the movement of goods, digital services, skills, and energy, IMEC aims to strengthen economic ties and create more secure and sustainable global supply chain networks.

Despite its potential, the progress of IMEC has been challenged by shifting geopolitical dynamics, particularly in light of violent conflicts and security concerns in the Middle East. In an increasingly tense geopolitical environment, especially with a view to relations with China, IMEC offers a pragmatic approach to improve economic relations with the Middle East and India.

Against this backdrop, the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) and the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), India, co-organise this side event, which aims to provide a platform for dialogue among key stakeholders to explore how IMEC can be revitalised to serve as a catalyst for trade, development and sustainability. Both, IDOS and RIS are research institutes and think tanks, which work at the interface of economic development and sustainability combining research and policy advice.

The primary objective of this session is to assess the economic and strategic potential of IMEC in enhancing trade, investment, and sustainable development, as well as to identify the challenges and opportunities for key actors, including the United States, European Union, Gulf States, and India, discuss actionable strategies and policies on how to revive the concept of an economic corridor amid a challenging security environment in the Middle East and explore alternative options for multimodal movement of goods to ensure supply chain resilience.

The session will focus on how IMEC can contribute to building resilient supply chains that foster trade and development in the participating countries and regions, as well as explore practical initial steps for implementing the IMEC.

The aim of this event is convening a dialogue with policymakers, high-level government officials, industry leaders, and experts responsible for economic and development policymaking. Special focus will be given to participants from IMEC signatory regions, including the United States, European Union (Germany, France, and Italy), India, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. 

The format of the event will be a breakfast discussion, fostering an open and interactive dialogue under the Chatham House Rule to ensure candid and solution-oriented conversations, with 16 participants approximately. To start the discussion among the participants, two or three impulse speeches will be given.

Hinweis

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